DHCS completes Medi-Cal managed care contracts for 2024 and beyond

03 January 2023

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has concluded an agreement with five commercial managed care plans to provide Medi-Cal services in 21 counties across the state as of January 2024. Plans include Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan (Anthem), Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, CHG Foundation dba Community Health Group Partnership Plan, Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. and Molina Healthcare of California.

According to DHCS, these plans, and all other Medi-Cal managed care plan partners — including public plans and Kaiser Permanente — will operate under a new, strict contract to provide quality, fair, and comprehensive coverage to Medi-Cal managed care members. To address the social drivers of health, the new contracts require partnerships with local health departments, local education and government agencies, and other local programs and services, including social services, child welfare and justice departments, to ensure member care is coordinated and members have access to community-based resources.

*Bold indicates change from previously announced contracts in August 2022.

DHCS also allows 17 counties to change the type of managed care model offered, and approved a proposed direct contract with Kaiser Permanente in 32 counties, subject to federal approval.

In counties where there are model and/or plan changes, physicians will need to consider contracting with a new plan if they want to continue seeing Medi-Cal patients through 2024.

The California Medical Association will closely monitor the transition and will update physicians as new information becomes available.

For more information, see the DHCP Announcement.

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