Sonoma County supports new Medi-Cal program CalAIM

Medi-Cal has launched its reform effort, a new program called California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal, or CalAIM, which will begin impacting local programs on Jan. 1. A goal of the new program is to make the type of care management and services provided in the current Whole Person Care Pilot Program available statewide, for all eligible Medi-Cal members.

To make the transition, the current Whole Person Care Pilot Program will be ending on Dec. 31, and the new program, which will be the Whole Person Care Program, modified by CalAIM will begin the next day.

Clients that received services through the Whole Person Care Pilot Program will continue to get similar services through Whole Person Care Program via a new statewide benefit called Enhanced Care Management. Getting Enhanced Care Management services will not change the Medi-Cal benefits.

The Care Coordinator can also help Medi-Cal members:

• Find doctors and get an appointment;
• Better understand medications;
• Set up a ride to get to doctor visits;
• Find and apply for community-based services based on individual needs, such as housing supports or medically nutritious food;
• And get connected to Mental Health services

“We are happy to see the rollout of this program in Sonoma County and throughout the state,” said Tina Rivera, interim director of Sonoma County’s Health Services Department. “The goal here is to extend supports and services beyond hospitals and health care settings directly into communities that need it most.”