California To Seek Approval For Statewide IMD Demonstration Project

On June 30, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a fiscal 2023 budget with provisions that will permit the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to seek federal approval to expand its institutions of mental disease (IMD) demonstration project. Specifically, DHCS will seek approval to operate the IMD demonstration project on a statewide basis or on a county-by-county basis.

DHCS will seek federal financial participation (FFP) for services furnished to Medi-Cal beneficiaries during short-term stays for acute care in psychiatric hospitals or residential treatment settings with 16 or more beds that qualify as IMDs. This . . .