The Alliance is now rolling out a street medicine benefit for members experiencing homelessness. This benefit is now possible thanks to the success of our Street Medicine Pilot and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recent designation of the place of service (POS) code 27, “Outreach Site/Street.” Primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists who are willing to meet members in their lived environments are eligible for reimbursement utilizing POS code 27.
Background
Street medicine is a set of health and social services that addresses the needs of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The street medicine approach delivers services to this population exactly where they are and on their own terms to minimize barriers to accessing care.
Unique to street medicine, providers can refer members to specialty care even if they are not the member’s assigned PCP. Street medicine providers are also encouraged to refer members experiencing homelessness directly to Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Support services to coordinate both the clinical and non-clinical aspects of care for our highest-need members.
Interested in offering street medicine?
Providers interested in offering street medicine to their members should reach out to the Provider Services team at 800-700-3874, ext. 5504 to initiate the configuration process.
For more information, see DHCS APL 24-001: Street Medicine Provider: definitions and participation in managed care.
Thank you to our 2023 Street Medicine Pilot partners, including Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Merced, Clinica de Salud del Valley de Salinas and the County of Santa Cruz’s Homeless Person’s Health Project, who we worked with to build new and expand existing street medicine programs in our service area.
