Keeping Medi-Cal members covered
With several Medi-Cal changes on the horizon, the Alliance continues to remind members to take concrete steps to keep their health care coverage. It is critical for members to know the deadline for their renewal application and take these three steps:
1. Complete it: Fill out the required renewal information.
2. Check it: Make sure the full renewal has been completed.
3. Return it: Submit the renewal on time.
Renewal resources for providers
Members often turn to their doctors for information they know they can trust. By helping share information about Medi-Cal renewal requirements, you can help members take the steps needed to keep their coverage and continue getting the care they need.
Our Provider Tool Kit includes:
- A list of Medi-Cal renewal assistance partners by county.
- Shareable flyers and videos.
- Tips for checking member renewal information in the Provider Portal.
Media campaign
To further support this effort, we launched a yearlong bilingual paid media campaign, including television commercials, social media posts, billboards and mobile ads. We have provided presentations to community-based organizations to ensure they have the information needed to support members.
Funded partners
Significant work is also underway to help Medi-Cal members maintain coverage through the Medi-Cal Member Outreach and Retention Program. Earlier this year, we awarded $3.2 million in grants to 23 community-based partners to strengthen outreach, education and hands-on renewal support.
We will keep you updated on our efforts. Thank you for your continued support, partnership and ongoing dedication to our members.
Sept. 10 Lunch and Learn: CDE for autism
The Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE) is the most thorough and reliable clinical evaluation process for identifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disorders in children. The CDE is a series of coordinated evaluations designed to understand each child’s unique profile.
Join us for our upcoming webinar to learn more about CDEs.
Presenters include:
- Nicole Gend, Psy.D/BCBA, Alliance BHT Clinical Administrator.
- Shannon Stovall, Psy.D, Wellity Behavioral Health.
Key topics
- Understanding CDEs and how they differ from other diagnostic psychological evaluations.
- Screening.
- Signs that may warrant a referral.
- How to refer and what information to include.
- The testing process.
Details and registration
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations: From Screening to Evaluation
Thursday, September 10, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.
Online via Microsoft Teams.
To sign up, complete the registration online or contact a Provider Relations Representative at 800-700-3874, ext. 5504.
Who should attend
This session is for providers and staff involved in CDE referrals and follow-up care, including:
- Primary care providers.
- Pediatricians.
- Physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
- Nurses.
- Psychologists and other behavioral health specialists.
- Other clinical staff.
- Clinic managers and administrative staff.
If you’re unable to attend the webinar, please watch for the upcoming recording on our Provider Webinars and Training page.
Resource
Use the Autism Evaluation, BHT/ABA Form to refer Alliance members under age 21 for autism evaluation and/or behavioral health treatment services, including ABA.
Provider appointment availability survey
The annual Provider Appointment Availability Survey (PAAS) is coming up! The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) require Medi-Cal managed care plans to conduct an annual survey to monitor provider appointment wait times and assess compliance with timely access standards.
Participation is required under your Participating Provider Agreement. We appreciate your timely response and cooperation!
Survey details
- Survey administrator: QMetrics.
- Dates: August 24 through December 2026.
- Survey modalities: email, fax or phone.
- Time to complete: less than five minutes.
- What to report: next available appointment for urgent and non-urgent services.
We recognize that many offices offer telehealth appointments. These are acceptable responses. The survey aims to capture the first available appointment date and time, regardless of modality.
Please review regulatory timely access standards below.
| Appointment Type | Access Standard |
| Urgent Care | |
| Urgent care appointment with PCP | Within 48 hours of request (weekends and holidays included) |
| Urgent care appointment with specialist |
(weekends and holidays included) |
| Non-Urgent Appointments | |
| Non-urgent care appointment with PCP | Within 10 business days of request |
| Non-urgent care appointment with specialist | Within 15 business days of request |
| Appointments for ancillary services | Within 15 business days of request |
| Behavioral Health Appointments | |
| Urgent care appointment with non-physician mental health care (NPMH) provider or behavioral health care physician (psychiatrist) |
(weekends and holidays included) |
| Non-urgent care appointment with non-physician mental health care (NPMH) provider. | Within 10 business days of request |
| Non-urgent care appointment with behavioral health care physician (Psychiatrists) | Within 15 business days of request |
| Non-urgent care follow-Up appointment with non-physician mental health care (NPMH) provider. | Within 10 business days of request |
- More information: thealliance.health/timelyaccess.
- Questions? Contact Alliance Provider Relations at 800-700-3874, ext. 5504.
Don’t forget to complete the Provider Satisfaction Survey
If you have not completed the Provider Satisfaction Survey yet, please take a few minutes to share your insights and suggestions with us. The survey comes from Press Ganey via email or postal mail. More details are available in last month’s Provider Digest. We appreciate your participation!
Review All Plan Letter (APL) updates
Please review the following All Plan Letter (APL) update:
- DHCS APL 26-008: Interoperability Final Rules, Including Prior Authorization Requirements.
For more information, including a summary of relevant provider takeaways, visit the All Plan Letters page on our website.
