Transforming Substance Use Treatment
This past August, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) received approval from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, of their application to implement the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) plan. The DMC-ODS expands the types of treatment available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and for Federal reimbursement.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries will have access to a full continuum of services including: residential detox, residential treatment, intensive outpatient, outpatient, case management, recovery supports and more.
Counties have the option of “opting in” to implement the DMC-ODS or just offer the traditional and very limited benefits. For those counties opting in, they are required to submit an Implementation Plan to DHCS for review and approval. I am pleased to announce that BHRS, on November 20th submitted its Implementation Plan to DHCS.
There are several steps after we receive approval before the expanded services will be available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Our contract with DHCS will need our Board of Supervisors approval, contracts with our providers will need to be amended and approved by the Board, and staff and providers will need to be trained on key requirements of our plan.
I want to thank our BHRS staff and providers for their contributions to this plan. As we anxiously await approval from DHCS we are excited about what the future holds for providing the highest quality treatment and recovery supports for those struggling with substance use challenges.