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California Health & Wellness is no longer a Medi-Cal plan starting January 1, 2024. Regardless of the county you live in, your Medi-Cal service and benefits will not be impacted by the health plan changes since you will be assigned to a new health plan. The county you live in determines your new health plan. Learn more

News

23-041 Initial Health Assessment Incentive in 2023 Applies to Physicians and Clinics Only

Date: 01/06/23

Clarification to provider update 22-1079

Provider update 22-1079, See What’s New with IHA and HIF, distributed on
December 19, 2022, incorrectly implied that we are incentivizing independent practice associations (IPAs) for completed Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) for new Medi-Cal members within 120 days for 2023.

Please note, the IHA incentive applies to individual physicians and clinics only and does not apply to IPAs.

Refer to the information in this provider update going forward about the IHA incentive for physicians and clinics.

What’s new in 2023

  • The Individual Health Education Behavior Assessment (IHEBA) and the Staying Healthy Assessment (SHA) forms are no longer required.
  • Initial Health Assessment is now called Initial Health Appointment (IHA).

Individual physicians and clinics! Get paid when you complete the IHA

For 2023, we are incentivizing IHA as a new measure for physicians and clinics.

Physicians and clinics can earn an incentive when you complete an IHA for new Medi-Cal members within 120 days.

  • An IHA must be completed for all newly enrolled Medi-Cal members within 120 days of enrollment.
  • We will continue auditing the IHAs completed within 120 days of member enrollment in your upcoming facility site review and medical record.

Stay tuned for more information, including rates, in early 2023.

Help your patients complete their HIF and act on positive screens

California Health & Wellness Plan (CHWP) will implement additional outreach to increase Health Information Form (HIF) submissions, but we need your help!

While your patient is in your office to complete their IHA, help them complete and submit their HIF.

What does HIF do for my patient

The HIF will help identify any positive screens, extra needs or services your patient may require, such as transportation, access to food, their self-perception of health, and impairments related to activities of daily and independent living.

We will incorporate the responses from these forms into our risk stratification algorithm for provision of timely services and supports.

Where can we get the HIF

HIF forms can be downloaded at Member Handbooks and Forms under New Member Materials.

Once completed, keep a copy in the member’s chart and send the form to:

Medi-Cal Care Management
4191 E. Commerce Way
Sacramento, CA 95834

Keep a look out for future updates from us!

  • We are working on a process for bidirectional data sharing of screenings and assessments results.
  • We are working on a process to share our risk stratification, segmentation and tiering with providers.

Additional information

If you have questions about:

Visit or contact:

How to complete the IHA

www.cahealthwellness.com/providers/quality-improvement/initial-health-assessment.html.

How to help your patient complete the HIF

 Member services using the number on the back of the member ID card for additional support.

For all other questions, contact CHWP at 877‑658‑0305.

 

This Information applies to Physicians and Independent Practice Associations (IPAs).