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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
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

23-184M Reminder: Maternity Care Includes Mental Health Screening

Date: 02/21/23

Refer prenatal or postpartum members who test positive to case management 

Licensed practitioners who treat maternal patients are required by law to screen for mental health conditions. See Senate Bill (SB) 1207 approved September 27, 2022. Treatment for medically necessary mental health and substance use disorders is a covered benefit.

As a frontline physician, you can encourage members to take a patient health questionnaire. A positive result helps determine if further evaluation and treatment for a mental health condition is needed.

Use approved screening tools

Licensed practitioners can use one of the following screening tools, as appropriate to the member’s plan:

  • Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) – Asks members about their frequency of depressed mood and the reduced ability to feel pleasure over the past two weeks.
    • ­PHQ-2 is the first step to screen for depression. It includes the first two questions of the PHQ-9.
    • ­Patients who screen positive with a score of 3 or greater should be further evaluated with the PHQ-9 to determine whether they meet the criteria for a depressive disorder.
  • Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) – reflects symptoms of major depression.
  • Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (PDF).

Refer members to the Pregnancy Program

California Health & Wellness Plan (CHWP) has a pregnancy program for members. The program offers customized support and care needed for a healthy pregnancy and baby. It helps members in the following areas:

  • Access to medical care.
  • Assists with social needs and concerns.
  • Educates them about their health care needs.
  • Helps with finding doula services.

The program uses the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to assess for mental health needs of pregnant members. The tool helps with referrals to a mental health specialist.

Submit a Care Management Referral Form

To refer members to the Pregnancy Program or for further mental health evaluation and treatment due to a positive screening, fill out the online Care Management Referral Form (PDF). 

  • Email or
  • Call: 877-658-0305 and ask for case management.

 

This information applies to Physicians, Independent Practice Associations (IPAs), Hospitals, Ancillary providers, Community Supports (CS) Providers, and Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Providers.