Report 2023-103 Recommendation 8 Responses

Report 2023-103: The Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program: The Lack of Usage Data Prevents the State From Knowing How Often Medi‑Cal Members Receive Perinatal Care (Release Date: February 2024)

Recommendation #8 To: Public Health, Department of

To ensure that providers are knowledgeable about the services the perinatal program requires, by December 2024, Public Health should require that all fee-for-service perinatal program providers attend training on administering the perinatal program.

1-Year Agency Response

In the pre-exit meeting with CSA, Public Health's Office of Legal Services explained that Public Health does not require provider training because its current regulations do not require training specific to the perinatal program. Health Care Services could promulgate regulations to change the administration of their perinatal program to require providers to complete the perinatal program training. Public Health seeks to collaborate on enforceable standards for providers and services under the program that would improve maternal health outcomes by ensuring providers understand the benefits and requirements.

Public Health and Health Care Services have made provider training available by updating policies, guidance and training resources. They promoted these resources to providers via email when communicating new annual survey requirements during CPSP enrollment preboarding and approval letter, and on the CPSP website. Public Health continues to provide feedback, information, and provider training to Health Care Services for the drafted regulatory changes. The full implementation of provider training requirements is on hold until Public Health and Health Care Services determine their respective roles, responsibilities, and necessary regulatory changes.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending

6-Month Agency Response

Public Health and Health Care Services have collaboratively developed an internal inventory for members and providers with CPSP materials, including policy guidance and training, to identify opportunities for both departments to streamline and increase access and awareness to provider trainings of CPSP services.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

Public Health's Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division will collaborate with our Office of Legal Services to assess the necessity of regulatory changes for mandating provider training. Public Health will work with Health Care Services to align any necessary regulatory changes with Recommendation #3. If regulatory changes are needed, the December 2024 implementation may be delayed, although we will strive to achieve it.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2023-103

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.