Help Medi-Cal members renew their coverage
With several Medi-Cal changes on the horizon, the Alliance continues to remind members to take concrete steps to complete their Medi-Cal renewals on time. Please join us in these efforts!
Understand the renewal process
It is critical for members to know the deadline for their renewal application and take these three steps: complete it, check it and return it. Members can renew their Medi-Cal by:
- Using BenefitsCal.
- Filling out the renewal form they received in the mail.
- Contacting their applicable county Medi-Cal office.
Member and provider resources
Providers can use these resources to help Medi-Cal members understand how to renew their coverage.
- Visit our Provider Medi-Cal Redetermination Tool Kit page for a list of local renewal assistance partners, outreach tools and information on how to check a member’s upcoming renewal date.
- Print and display our renewal flyers in provider offices (available in English, Spanish and Hmong).
- Reshare renewal information from the Alliance’s Facebook page.
If members need help with their renewal, you can direct them to our Medi-Cal renewal support webpage at www.thealliance.health/GetHelp.
Media outreach and community partners
The Alliance is running a yearlong bilingual paid outreach campaign across television, social media, billboards and mobile advertising. We have awarded $3.2 million in grants to 23 community-based partners to strengthen outreach, education and hands-on renewal support.
Thank you for your continued support, partnership and ongoing dedication to our members.
Certified Lactation Specialist Course in Salinas
The Alliance is sharing an in-person lactation training opportunity for providers. The course is designed for aspiring lactation consultants or nurses, physicians, midwives, dieticians, breastfeeding assistants or others who would like to improve their knowledge base and skills in working with the breastfeeding dyad.
Certified Lactation Specialist Course
- When: Oct. 19-23, 2026 (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
- Location: In person at the Monterey County Department of Social Services (1000 S. Main St., Suite 110, Salinas, CA).
- Tuition: $320 registration includes course materials and exam fee.
Speakers include:
- Stephanie Hutchinson, MBA, BS, IBCLC.
- Mendy Roudebush, BS, RD, IBCLC.
- Dawn Kersula, MA, RN, IBCLC.
For registration and more information, visit the Lactation Education Consultants website.
Reminder: Care-Based Incentive Workshop on Oct. 14
Don’t forget to register for our upcoming 2027 Care-Based Incentive Workshop! Visit our registration page to get more information and sign up.
Referrals to Specialty Mental Health Services
Use these guidelines and clinical judgment to determine when a Medi-Cal member should be referred to Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) through the County Mental Health Plan, consistent with Behavioral Health Information Notice 21-073.
Adults (21 years and older)
Refer when member meets both the following criteria:
- Member has:
- Significant difficulty functioning at work, school, home or in relationships; or
- Is likely to experience significant worsening in their mental health or daily functioning if treatment is not provided.
AND
- The member’s difficulties are related to:
-
- A diagnosed mental health disorder; or
- A suspected mental health disorder that still needs to be evaluated.
Children and youth (under 21 years)
Refer when the member meets either of the following:
- Diagnosed with or at high risk for developing a mental health disorder due to trauma, such as:
-
- High score on trauma screening tool.
- Child welfare involvement.
- Juvenile justice involvement.
- Homelessness.
OR
- Mental health needs leading to
- Significant impairment.
- A reasonable probability of experiencing significant deterioration.
Substance use disorders
Refer to County Behavioral Health Plan.
Level of care needs
If you determine that you are unable to meet a member’s behavioral health needs, please submit a Transition of Care (TOC) tool to the County Behavioral Health Plan for further assessment and coordination of services.
Questions? Call 800-700-3874 and ask to speak to the Alliance’s Behavioral Health team.
Resources
For more information, see the County Behavioral Health Services section of our Behavioral Health page for providers.
Review All Plan Letter (APL) updates
Please review the following All Plan Letter (APL) updates:
- DHCS APL 26-014 – Responsibilities for Annual Cognitive Health Assessment for Eligible Members 65 Years of Age or Older.
For more information, including a summary of relevant provider takeaways, visit the All Plan Letters page on our website.
