CMS Approves One-Year Extension of Medi-Cal 2020 Waiver

Recently, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) received approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a one-year extension of California’s Section 1115 Medi-Cal 2020 demonstration waiver. Recall, DHCS requested an extension of the waiver in mid-2020 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, included in the approved extension is a one-year extension of Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilots.

DHCS and CMS are anticipated to continue working together on the terms and conditions of the extension period. The extension is now set to expire on December 31, 2021.

The full approval from CMS is available here.