Accessible Housing Through Medicaid? How California’s CalAim Program Has the Potential to Change the Way We Think about Health Care Benefits

Are you looking for a game-changer in healthcare and housing support?

In this episode, Jacey Cooper – the California State Medicaid Director – talks about the changes being made to Medicaid in California to provide a broader range of services related to housing and accessibility. From providing community supports such as medically supportive housing and home modifications to recuperative care and rental assistance, she explains how these services are designed to help those in need remain safely housed. Hear how the CalAim initiative has successfully changed the trajectory of people’s lives and how it can be cost-effective for states to advocate for similar initiatives. Tune in now!

Ms. Cooper is responsible for the overall leadership of Benefits, Eligibility, Delivery Systems, Financing, Behavioral Health, Quality, Population Health, and Legislative and Governmental Affairs. As State Medicaid Director, Ms. Cooper represents California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) with federal partners at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

[00:01 - 07:39] Opening Segment

• How Medicaid in California is changing regarding services being offered to consumers

Housing, medically supportive services, home modifications, and social needs

• How to support individuals experiencing homelessness or whose homes are not meeting their needs

Recuperative care, short-term post-hospitalization housing, and enhanced care management

[07:40 - 14:42] How Enhanced Care Management Can Help Those Experiencing Homelessness

• Housing bundle, sustaining services, and recuperative care

• The short-term post-hospitalization housing

• Programs in the community or home for life skills, budgeting, cooking, cleaning, interpersonal relationships

• Coordination across several people is needed for enhanced care coordination

[14:43 - 21:56] California's Enhanced Care Coordination Program

• Asking managed care plans to pay for something they know little about has been a monumental task

• The role of counties, public hospital systems, safety net providers, and community-based organizations

• Biggest challenge so far is the admin burden of different authorization forms and processes

How is the team recognizing this quickly and working to streamline it?

[21:57 - 29:53] Closing Segment

• California's CalAim program aims to improve healthcare access and lower costs

• The goal is to provide full-blown benefits, not just in lieu of services

• Why Medicaid has a role to play in providing non-traditional supports

Head to California Health Care Foundation and get the health care you need!

Key Quotes:

“We want people to be able to live in the community, live in their home, or an assisted living environment that allows them to receive the medical services that they need.” - Jacey Cooper

“We're trying to build a true continuum of care and services and supports for someone experiencing homelessness to be able to heal and improve their health outcomes ultimately.” - Jacey Cooper

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Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing and getting conversations going.

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