Dive Brief:
- Low-income, undocumented Californians can now access basic non-emergency healthcare services in 47 of the state's 58 counties, according to a Public News Service report.
- The state's County Medical Services Program (CMSP) began the expansion Monday that adds 35 counties to the nine that were already offering non-emergency care, Capital Public Radio reported.
- The program also raised the maximum income levels for program qualification from 200% of the poverty level to 300%.
Dive Insight:
CMSP is taking a broader approach at improving community health--regardless of immigration status--through the introduction of its new primary care benefit program in a pilot that will provide members with three primary care visits per year, diagnostic testing, and prescription drug coverage of up to $1,500.
“Potentially thousands of Californians will benefit from these expansions as well as those in other counties who have launched similar pilot programs in the last year,” Anthony Wright, executive director of advocacy group Health Access California, was quoted by Capital Public Radio.
The move comes as the concept of coverage for undocumented immigrants has grown less controversial in California. The state is also considering a bill to allow undocumented adults to buy plans through the state exchange, though it's expected few would be able to do so given that they would not qualify for federal subsidies.
Health Access California recently released a report detailing the results in six counties with programs in progress: Contra Costa, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Sacramento, and Santa Clara counties.
It suggests more counties will continue the trend to provide minimal coverage, regardless of status, and take advantage of incentives in the state's new Medicaid waiver to do so.