April 24, 2024
1:30 – 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time

Registration is now closed.

Overview

Who does the Medi-Cal program cover?
How does one become eligible for Medi-Cal?
How does an individual get enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care plan?

The Medi-Cal program is critically important to nearly 15 million Californians — most of whom receive their health services through managed care. But despite its broad reach, not everyone is eligible for Medi-Cal. Because the program is jointly funded and administered by the federal and state governments, specific eligibility requirements must be met and verified before individuals can access and receive care. Such eligibility information, which is procured through the application and verification processes, provides health plans with vital information about the characteristics and needs of the members they serve.

Join us for this introductory webinar and learn more about Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment, including who’s eligible, the different pathways to eligibility, how the enrollment process works, and how individuals are assigned to and enrolled in a managed care plan.

Who should attend:
Local health plan staff across all departments and levels who have an interest in understanding the basics of eligibility and enrollment or perform functions that are connected to or impacted by Medi-Cal eligibility and enrollment activities.

Agenda

Medi-Cal Eligibility — Context & Overview

• Joint federal and state-governed program with prescribed guidelines and requirements
• How federal requirements affect Medi-Cal eligibility
• Factors that drive eligibility

Who’s Eligible for Medi-Cal Coverage?

• Covered populations
• Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) and non-MAGI eligibility requirements

Pathways to Eligibility

• “All paths lead to coverage” approach to eligibility
• What happens once an application is filed
• Redetermination process for maintaining coverage
• Effects of the Medi-Cal continuous coverage unwinding and what to expect moving forward

Enrolling in a Managed Care Plan

• How individuals enroll in a managed care plan
• How different plan models impact enrollment processes
• Issues around enrollment — changing health plans,
  auto-assignments

How Plans Use Eligibility Information

• How eligibility information is used by health plans — PCP assignments, informing providers, etc.

Current Issues in Managed Care Enrollment

• Impact of model changes
• Changes to auto-assignment
• Medi-Cal churn
• Outreach to the uninsured

Faculty

Cathy Senderling-McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
Catbird Consulting

Cathy Senderling-McDonald is CEO of Catbird Strategies LLC, a consulting firm based in Sacramento. Prior to founding Catbird Strategies, Cathy served in multiple capacities during her 23-year career with the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) where she worked to promote legislative, budget and policy changes that improve health and human services programs. She left CWDA in August 2023 after serving 10 years as Deputy Executive Director and nearly three years as Executive Director.

Prior to joining CWDA, she served as the California Senate Budget Committee consultant for social services programs, as well as a fiscal and policy analyst for the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, and a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. She also holds certificates in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and AI Strategy, both from Cornell University.

Thomas Pham
Vice President of Strategy
Inland Empire Health Plan

As the Vice President of Strategy, Thomas develops and executes IEHP’s Strategy System to advance the organization’s Mission and achieve their bold 2030 Vision. He leads the creation and implementation of IEHP’s multi-year strategic plan and ensures the health of the entire strategy portfolio. He is responsible for the research of internal and external insights that help accelerate the organization’s success and help establish new strategic business opportunities. He is constantly seeking new ways to expand IEHP’s ability to serve the Inland Empire communities.   

Thomas received a Master’s in Public Health with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from Loma Linda University and bachelor’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles.

Registration

This is an LHPC members-only program.

Fees* (per connection)
Members                            $40     
Plan Registration^            $140
*Special registration pricing will be offered while health plan staff work remotely. Standard pricing will resume once staff return to work
on-site.
^ Select this option if plan staff will view the webinars communally on-site. Plans with multiple sites must register each site separately and identify whom at each site should receive the webinar access information upon registering. When registering, please enter unique email addresses for each additional site as the system may not allow duplicate logins.

Registration closed April 18 at 5:00 p.m.

Registration Confirmation: Registrants will receive two emails — a registration confirmation email and a separate email that contains access information for the webinar. 

Participating in the Webinar: You will only need a computer with an updated web browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Safari are recommended). Participants may opt to listen to the webinar via telephone or device. 

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notification must be submitted in writing to institute@lhpc.org seven or more days prior to the course date. Refunds will not be given after that date. Substitutions are encouraged. Payment will be due for registered individuals that do not attend or participate in the event, and for which a cancellation notice is not received.