Dear Stakeholder,

On January 20, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm PT, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with the California Department of Aging (CDA), will host a stakeholder engagement webinar to walk-through the preliminary analytical approach for the DHCS and CDA Statewide Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Gap Analyses; the DHCS Gap Analysis will focus on Medi-Cal HCBS and CDA’s Gap Analysis will focus on non-Medi-Cal HCBS. These analyses will inform the development of two multiyear roadmaps to address and close identified gaps in the service delivery system across Medi-Cal HCBS and non-Medi-Cal HCBS.

To attend the webinar, please click on the following link: https://dhcs.webex.com/dhcs/j.php?MTID=m6fc42aab96c182a223873942fc49bad6

Background
DHCS and CDA received funding to advance two companion HCBS Gap Analyses to assess the availability of HCBS and develop a roadmap to build out the state’s infrastructure across both Medi-Cal and non-Medi-Cal HCBS. The departments’ respective efforts are as follows:

• The Department of Health Care Services received funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for supplemental funding to build capacity for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration Program on July 27, 2021. DHCS’ project narrative identified how the funding will be used for planning and capacity building activities to accelerate long-term care system transformation design and implementation, and to expand HCBS capacity. Input from public stakeholder meetings in December 2020 and February 2021 helped to identify key principles and priorities for this work. The gap analysis and roadmap are designed to help accomplish the following long-term statewide objectives:
• Objective 1: Reduce Inequities in Access and Services
• Objective 2: Meet Client Needs
• Objective 3: Program Integration and Increased Coordination
• Objective 4: Quality Improvement
• Objective 5: Streamlined Access

In conjunction with the gap analysis and roadmap development, DHCS is undertaking a Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Data Transparency initiative through California’s HCBS Spending Plan. This initiative involves the creation of an online dashboard to track population demographics, the use of community-based services, service quality, and costs related to Medi-Cal LTSS provided in the home, community, and congregate settings. The dashboard of statewide nursing home and HCBS data will provide transparency for regulators, policymakers, and the public, as the state expands and improves LTSS quality.

• The Department of Aging received $4 million in the 2022-23 enacted budget to conduct an HCBS Gap Analysis and Multiyear Roadmap, expanding from the DHCS HCBS Gap Analysis to include an accompanying program inventory, and an analysis of utilization and demand for non-Medi-Cal HCBS programs and services. The findings will be summarized in a final Gap Analysis report, followed by the development of a multiyear roadmap that seeks to improve access to non-Medi-Cal HCBS for older adults and people with disabilities in underserved and unserved areas of the state.

Stakeholder Input and Feedback
Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the webinar to receive information about the preliminary analytical approach for the HCBS Gap Analysis and Multiyear Roadmap, as well as receive updates about the LTSS Data Transparency initiative. Development of the HCBS Gap Analysis and Multiyear Roadmap will be data-driven, but also highly reliant on frequent, transparent communication, and inclusive, meaningful collaboration with a variety of HCBS stakeholders. The state values the insights and experiences of stakeholders including, but not limited to, Medi-Cal beneficiaries, participants, families and circles of support, providers, health plans, advocates, counties, state departments, and consumer organizations; and, will engage stakeholders to receive input and feedback over the course of the project.

Questions and Comments
Contact DHCS with any questions or comments about this meeting by emailing HCBSGapAnalysis@dhcs.ca.gov. To be included on the invitation list for upcoming webinars, please send an email to HCBSGapAnalysis@dhcs.ca.gov.

We look forward to your participation!

Thank you,

Integrated Systems of Care Division
Health Care Delivery Systems
CA Department of Health Care Services
HCBSGapAnalysis@dhcs.ca.gov

Division of Policy, Research, and Equity
California Department of Aging
HCBSGapAnalysis@aging.ca.gov