HPSJ commits to helping Medi-Cal beneficiaries keep their coverage with $380k in funding for local physicians and non-profit organizations
(French Camp, CA) – Health Plan of San Joaquin (HSPJ) announced support for local providers and resource agencies to assist with Medi-Cal eligibility renewal efforts in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
In June 2023, HPSJ released funding in the amount of $380,000 to support the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Medi-Cal Continuous Coverage Unwinding campaign that started in April 2023.
Throughout the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, eligible individuals and families were covered by Medi-Cal without needing to comply with the standard renewal process. The state and federal Medi-Cal program has returned to normal procedures, which includes the process of determining if program participants are still eligible for free or low-cost health coverage.
This means changes for many Medi-Cal recipients and families who receive medical benefits and food assistance. Some Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties will meet the requirements for auto-renewal of benefits for another year. But others who do not qualify for auto-renewal are receiving renewal packets in the mail. Those individuals may be faced with being dropped from Medi-Cal if they do not complete the eligibility process.
DHCS’s campaign, which runs through June 2024, aims to help 14 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries avoid unnecessary termination and disenrollment from the Medi-Cal program. The grants from HPSJ directly support agencies working with San Joaquin and Stanislaus county’s nearly 650,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries to increase outreach and assist people with the renewal process.
“Medi-Cal coverage takes care of doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health services, immunizations and more. These are things that HPSJ members and Medi-Cal beneficiaries in our community depend on every day. We do not want to see anyone lose coverage and not have access to care or services. DHCS has issued a comprehensive plan to support beneficiaries and stakeholders with renewals, and County Medi-Cal offices are doing their part to process renewals in a timely manner. As the area’s largest Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan, we understand that we also have a role. Our Health Commission is committed to supporting renewal assistance efforts and HPSJ’s partnership with local providers and non-profit organizations. The funding from HPSJ will directly benefit members and help maximize local resources. With a continuum of partnership between all stakeholders, our hope is that Medi-Cal beneficiaries will avoid loss of coverage which could result in delayed preventive care and higher utilization of emergency services,” said Lizeth Granados, HPSJ’s Chief Executive Officer.
These local partners are conducting outreach and offering assistance to help Medi-Cal beneficiaries navigate the renewal process: Golden Valley Health Centers, Livingston Community Health, Community Medical Centers, Centers for Human Services, Sierra Vista Cares, and Catholic Charities.
If you are enrolled in Medi-Cal, be sure to keep your contact information updated by visiting BenefitsCal.com or contacting your local county Medi-Cal office (San Joaquin: 209.468.1000 / Stanislaus: 209.558.7000)
HPSJ members can get help by calling 888.896.7526 Option 3, TTY 711 Monday through Friday from 8AM – 5PM. You can also visit www.hpsj.com/medi-cal-eligibility
Share this information with Medi-Cal beneficiaries to help spread the word about the renewal process and what people can do to keep their coverage.
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Health Plan of San Joaquin serves over 400,000 members in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Visit the website at www.hpsj.com.
Media Contact:
Vena Ford, Health Plan of San Joaquin, vford@hpsj.com