Medi-Cal: alternate health care service plan.
The implementation of AB2724 is set to take effect no sooner than January 1, 2024. The bill requires the AHCSP to enter into memoranda of understanding with the department to ensure alignment with Medi-Cal standards and to address health care needs in underserved areas. Furthermore, the bill mandates collaboration with locally based Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to enhance population health management. The department must monitor and report on the AHCSPs' readiness to meet behavioral health network adequacy requirements and their commitment to increasing Medi-Cal member enrollment.
Assembly Bill No. 2724, also known as AB2724, amends portions of the Welfare and Institutions Code relating to the Medi-Cal program, aiming to enhance healthcare service options for low-income individuals. The bill allows the State Department of Health Care Services to enter into comprehensive risk contracts with alternate health care service plans (AHCSPs) to serve as primary Medi-Cal managed care plans. It is designed to facilitate the integration of various healthcare services and improve access for beneficiaries, especially in designated geographic regions where AHCSPs are interested in providing services.
The sentiment around AB2724 appears supportive, highlighting the necessity of expanding managed care options to better serve Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Advocates believe that the AHCSP model could bring innovation and improved care coordination within the Medi-Cal system. However, concerns remain regarding the capacity of AHCSPs to effectively deliver services and the potential complexities this change may introduce into the existing healthcare landscape.
AB2724 serves as a significant legislative step towards enhancing healthcare delivery through the integration of alternative service plans, with a refreshing focus on local needs and collaboration with essential community health services. Its success will largely depend on continuous oversight and adaptive strategies to meet the diverse needs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Notable points of contention include discussions about ensuring that AHCSPs do not deny enrollment of eligible beneficiaries and that they comply with Medi-Cal managed care requirements. Skeptics worry that shifting towards AHCSPs may introduce variability in care quality and access, especially in areas where AHCSPs already operate commercially.