Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2022 Amended IN Senate May 19, 2022 Amended IN Senate April 18, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1019Introduced by Senator GonzalezFebruary 14, 2022 An act to add Sections 14190.1 and 14190.2 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1019, as amended, Gonzalez. Medi-Cal managed care plans: mental health benefits.Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services through various delivery systems, including fee-for-service and managed care. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.Existing law requires a Medi-Cal managed care plan to provide mental health benefits covered in the state plan, excluding those benefits provided by county mental health plans under the Specialty Mental Health Services Waiver. Under existing law, nonspecialty mental health services covered by a Medi-Cal managed care plan include, among other things, individual and group mental health evaluation and treatment, psychological testing, and psychiatric consultation, as specified.This bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan, and to also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding those mental health benefits.The bill would require that the outreach and education efforts plans be informed by stakeholder engagement and the engagement, the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment, and a utilization assessment, as specified, and that the efforts plans meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards and incorporate best practices in stigma reduction. The bill would require the department to review annual outreach and education efforts, to approve them if the annual outreach and education plans and to approve or modify them within 180 calendar days since submission to ensure specified conditions are met, and to consult with stakeholders to develop the standards for the review and approval. The bill would condition implementation of the outreach and education efforts plans on the departments approval. The bill would require the department to publicly post approved plans and the utilization assessments, as specified.The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans, as specified. The bill would require the department, by January 1, 2024, to develop survey tools and methodologies relating to the assessment of consumer experience, including best practice methods for data collection and reporting, as specified. The bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to share certain information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to publish reports on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans. The bill would require the reports to include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, address inequities based on key demographic factors, and provide recommendations.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 14190.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.1.(a)Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the plan pursuant to Section 14189.(1)Outreach and education efforts shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan.(2)Outreach and education efforts shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership.(3)Outreach and education efforts shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b)(1)The department shall review annual outreach and education efforts described in this section and shall approve them if they ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2)Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education efforts described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(c)The department shall consult with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education efforts will be reviewed and approved.(d)A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop annual outreach and education efforts to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the plan pursuant to Section 14189. The annual outreach and education efforts described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.SECTION 1. Section 14190.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.SEC. 2. Section 14190.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.(B)(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.(C)(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2022 Amended IN Senate May 19, 2022 Amended IN Senate April 18, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1019Introduced by Senator GonzalezFebruary 14, 2022 An act to add Sections 14190.1 and 14190.2 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1019, as amended, Gonzalez. Medi-Cal managed care plans: mental health benefits.Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services through various delivery systems, including fee-for-service and managed care. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.Existing law requires a Medi-Cal managed care plan to provide mental health benefits covered in the state plan, excluding those benefits provided by county mental health plans under the Specialty Mental Health Services Waiver. Under existing law, nonspecialty mental health services covered by a Medi-Cal managed care plan include, among other things, individual and group mental health evaluation and treatment, psychological testing, and psychiatric consultation, as specified.This bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan, and to also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding those mental health benefits.The bill would require that the outreach and education efforts plans be informed by stakeholder engagement and the engagement, the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment, and a utilization assessment, as specified, and that the efforts plans meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards and incorporate best practices in stigma reduction. The bill would require the department to review annual outreach and education efforts, to approve them if the annual outreach and education plans and to approve or modify them within 180 calendar days since submission to ensure specified conditions are met, and to consult with stakeholders to develop the standards for the review and approval. The bill would condition implementation of the outreach and education efforts plans on the departments approval. The bill would require the department to publicly post approved plans and the utilization assessments, as specified.The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans, as specified. The bill would require the department, by January 1, 2024, to develop survey tools and methodologies relating to the assessment of consumer experience, including best practice methods for data collection and reporting, as specified. The bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to share certain information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to publish reports on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans. The bill would require the reports to include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, address inequities based on key demographic factors, and provide recommendations.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2022 Amended IN Senate May 19, 2022 Amended IN Senate April 18, 2022
Amended IN Assembly June 13, 2022
Amended IN Senate May 19, 2022
Amended IN Senate April 18, 2022
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 1019
Introduced by Senator GonzalezFebruary 14, 2022
Introduced by Senator Gonzalez
February 14, 2022
An act to add Sections 14190.1 and 14190.2 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1019, as amended, Gonzalez. Medi-Cal managed care plans: mental health benefits.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services through various delivery systems, including fee-for-service and managed care. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.Existing law requires a Medi-Cal managed care plan to provide mental health benefits covered in the state plan, excluding those benefits provided by county mental health plans under the Specialty Mental Health Services Waiver. Under existing law, nonspecialty mental health services covered by a Medi-Cal managed care plan include, among other things, individual and group mental health evaluation and treatment, psychological testing, and psychiatric consultation, as specified.This bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan, and to also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding those mental health benefits.The bill would require that the outreach and education efforts plans be informed by stakeholder engagement and the engagement, the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment, and a utilization assessment, as specified, and that the efforts plans meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards and incorporate best practices in stigma reduction. The bill would require the department to review annual outreach and education efforts, to approve them if the annual outreach and education plans and to approve or modify them within 180 calendar days since submission to ensure specified conditions are met, and to consult with stakeholders to develop the standards for the review and approval. The bill would condition implementation of the outreach and education efforts plans on the departments approval. The bill would require the department to publicly post approved plans and the utilization assessments, as specified.The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans, as specified. The bill would require the department, by January 1, 2024, to develop survey tools and methodologies relating to the assessment of consumer experience, including best practice methods for data collection and reporting, as specified. The bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to share certain information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to publish reports on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans. The bill would require the reports to include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, address inequities based on key demographic factors, and provide recommendations.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services through various delivery systems, including fee-for-service and managed care. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.
Existing law requires a Medi-Cal managed care plan to provide mental health benefits covered in the state plan, excluding those benefits provided by county mental health plans under the Specialty Mental Health Services Waiver. Under existing law, nonspecialty mental health services covered by a Medi-Cal managed care plan include, among other things, individual and group mental health evaluation and treatment, psychological testing, and psychiatric consultation, as specified.
This bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan, and to also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding those mental health benefits.
The bill would require that the outreach and education efforts plans be informed by stakeholder engagement and the engagement, the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment, and a utilization assessment, as specified, and that the efforts plans meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards and incorporate best practices in stigma reduction. The bill would require the department to review annual outreach and education efforts, to approve them if the annual outreach and education plans and to approve or modify them within 180 calendar days since submission to ensure specified conditions are met, and to consult with stakeholders to develop the standards for the review and approval. The bill would condition implementation of the outreach and education efforts plans on the departments approval. The bill would require the department to publicly post approved plans and the utilization assessments, as specified.
The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans, as specified. The bill would require the department, by January 1, 2024, to develop survey tools and methodologies relating to the assessment of consumer experience, including best practice methods for data collection and reporting, as specified. The bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to share certain information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.
The bill would require the department, once every 3 years, to publish reports on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans. The bill would require the reports to include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, address inequities based on key demographic factors, and provide recommendations.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 14190.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.1.(a)Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the plan pursuant to Section 14189.(1)Outreach and education efforts shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan.(2)Outreach and education efforts shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership.(3)Outreach and education efforts shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b)(1)The department shall review annual outreach and education efforts described in this section and shall approve them if they ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2)Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education efforts described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(c)The department shall consult with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education efforts will be reviewed and approved.(d)A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop annual outreach and education efforts to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the plan pursuant to Section 14189. The annual outreach and education efforts described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.SECTION 1. Section 14190.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.SEC. 2. Section 14190.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.(B)(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.(C)(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
(a)Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education to its enrollees regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the plan pursuant to Section 14189.
(1)Outreach and education efforts shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan.
(2)Outreach and education efforts shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership.
(3)Outreach and education efforts shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.
(b)(1)The department shall review annual outreach and education efforts described in this section and shall approve them if they ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.
(2)Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education efforts described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).
(c)The department shall consult with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education efforts will be reviewed and approved.
(d)A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop annual outreach and education efforts to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the plan pursuant to Section 14189. The annual outreach and education efforts described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.
SECTION 1. Section 14190.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.
SECTION 1. Section 14190.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.
14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.
14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.
14190.1. (a) Subject to subdivision (b), a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall conduct annual outreach and education for its enrollees, based on an annual plan that the Medi-Cal managed care plan develops and submits to the department, regarding the mental health benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.
(1) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Community Advisory Committee established by the Medi-Cal managed care plan and local stakeholders representing diverse racial and ethnic communities.
(2) The outreach and education plan shall be informed by the Medi-Cal managed care plans Population Needs Assessment and an assessment of utilization of covered mental health benefits by race, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, and shall ensure that materials and messaging are appropriate for the diversity of the plan enrollee membership. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit the utilization assessment to the department.
(3) The outreach and education plan shall meet cultural and linguistic appropriateness standards, as set forth by the department, shall incorporate best practices in stigma reduction, and shall provide multiple points of contact for enrollees to access mental health benefits.
(b) (1) The department shall review the annual outreach and education plan submitted by each Medi-Cal managed care plan as described in this section and shall approve or modify the plan within 180 calendar days since submission, to ensure appropriate local stakeholder engagement, alignment with the Population Needs Assessment, and cultural and linguistic appropriateness.
(2) Implementation of a Medi-Cal managed care plans outreach and education plan described in this section shall be subject to approval by the department pursuant to paragraph (1).
(3) The department shall publicly post approved outreach and education plans and the Medi-Cal managed care plans utilization assessment described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), excluding any personally identifiable information.
(c) The department shall consult with stakeholders representative of diverse racial and ethnic communities, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, mental health stigma reduction experts, community-based organizations, and Medi-Cal managed care plan stakeholders, to develop the standards by which outreach and education plans will be reviewed and approved.
(d) Approval standards may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Outreach and education methods that include, but are not limited to, online outreach, mail, telephone, partnerships with community-based organizations, partnerships with primary care providers, and use of navigators, community health workers, and other providers trained to conduct outreach and education.
(2) Alignment of the culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and education strategies with the utilization assessment and Population Needs Assessment.
(3) Inclusion of consumer-friendly information in existing member-facing communication channels, including the Medi-Cal managed care plans internet website.
(4) An independent evaluation plan to annually assess and improve outreach to enrollees related to nonspecialty mental health services.
(e) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also develop an annual outreach and education plan to inform primary care physicians regarding the mental health benefits covered by the Medi-Cal managed care plan pursuant to Section 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The annual outreach and education plan described in this subdivision shall also comply with the other requirements described in this section.
SEC. 2. Section 14190.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.(B)(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.(C)(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
SEC. 2. Section 14190.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.(B)(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.(C)(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.(B)(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.(C)(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.(B)(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.(C)(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
14190.2. (a) Once every three years, the department shall assess enrollee experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402. The department shall conduct the assessments using the survey tools and methodologies developed pursuant to subdivision (b), administered in English and Medi-Cal threshold languages, to adult beneficiaries and to parents, guardians, or other caregivers of child beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans.
(b) By January 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with stakeholders electing to participate, including, but not limited to, consumer advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and counties, shall develop survey tools and methodologies that shall meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Assess experience with the full range of mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans pursuant to Section 14189. 14189 and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 14184.402.
(2) Assess consumer experience in various domains, including, but not limited to, access to appointments, cultural and linguistic competency of providers, alignment of the treatment plan with attainment of personal goals, communication with the plan and provider, and receipt of information related to patients rights and treatment plan.
(3) (A)Assess consumer experience in a manner that utilizes various survey best practice methods for data collection and reporting compatible with identifying disparities for smaller populations, including, but not limited to, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, and persons with disabilities, including cognitive and functional disabilities, and accommodation needs.
(B)
(A) These best practices shall include, but not be limited to, staff training on data collection, the legality and use of data collection, how to work with patients to improve comfort levels in sharing the data, oversampling and collection of self-reported demographic data at the individual encounter level, and the use of data through existing enrollment and renewal processes.
(C)
(B) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall supplement its own assessments through regional surveys, beneficiary meetings, listening sessions, subscriber newsletters, primary care provider surveys, or other mailings, and shall share this information with the department for inclusion in the departments assessments.
(c) The department shall consider, and may utilize, existing tools in order to ensure alignment with national standards and state health care programs.
(d) (1) The department shall publish reports, once every three years, on its internet website on consumer experience with mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.
(2) The reports shall include plan-by-plan data, provide granularity for subpopulations, and address inequities based on key demographic factors, including, but not limited to, language, race, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The reports shall exclude any personally identifiable information.
(3) The reports shall provide recommendations for improving access to mental health benefits covered by Medi-Cal managed care plans.