Medical Care Services
Medi-Cal Eligibility Primer
Counties conduct initial and ongoing eligibility determinations for California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. This “program” is actually a collection of more than two dozen separate programs for children, adults, and families, each with its own set of rules governing income, assets and eligibility requirements. Check back soon for an updated primer
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
New prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries began January 1, 2006. County human services agencies are playing a significant role in implementing this health care coverage program.
Symposium Handouts
On Thursday, September 1, 2005, CWDA in partnership with the County Mental
Health Directors Association, California State Association of Counties, and County
Health Executives Association of California hosted a symposium on Part D implementation
and issues for counties. The materials on this page include handouts from the
symposium, resource links, and information received since the symposium concluded.
We will be updating the page with additional handouts as we get them from the
presenters.
Part D Overview (Presentation by Cathy Senderling)
Panel 1
- Behavioral Health Perspective (Presentation by Uma Zykofsky)
Panel 3
- Medicare Part D Planning
Tool - Under 65 (World Institute on Disability)
Medicare Part D Planning Tool - Over 65 (World Institute on Disability)
9-22 Town Hall Meeting in Los Angeles (World Institute on Disability)
Federal Resources
Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy
- New Fact Sheet Posted 11/4/05: The fact sheet "Extra Help for the Basic Premium" explains how the extra help applies to Medicare drug plans with an enhanced alternative option.
- Enrollment letter sent to beneficiaries: During the week of 11/1/05, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began mailing auto-enrollment letters to full-benefit dual eligible Medicare beneficiaries. The letter lets the beneficiary know the Medicare prescription drug plan in which they will be enrolled if they do not take any action prior to January 1.
General Part D Information
Information and Resources Related to the Errors in the "Medicare & You 2006" and "Medicare Y Usted 2006" Handbooks. CMS has made the following resources available.
- An English package that includes:
Notice of Errata 10/20/05
Action Plan for Notifying Low-Income Subsidies
Beneficiaries of Plan Options
Landscape of Local Plans (description)
Revised SSA Prescription Drug Assistance & Notice of Award
Listserve Message to Partners 10/03/05
HPMS Message to Prescription Drug Plans 10/03/05
1-800-MEDICARE Script 10/03/05
Partner Script 10/03/05
PDP Script 10/03/05 - A Spanish package that
includes:
Notice of Errata 10/18/05
General Message for Partners
Action Plan for Spanish Handbook Error
Language for CMS Publication Mailing List - A Revised Auto-Enrollment Letter for Dual-Eligibles
Plan Government Contact Information
CMS has made available this Excel file containing the government contact information for the approved pharmacy plans.
Resource Links
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)
- Medicare home page
- CMS home page
- Main Part D Partnerships
page
(Many outreach materials and toolkits to download and order)
Social Security Administration (SSA)
California Health Advocates: The California HICAP Association
Health Consumer Alliance