The federal Affordable Care Act has created new opportunities for Californians to find high quality, affordable health insurance through Covered California. According to AARP, an estimated 20 percent of Californians between the ages of 50 and 64 have no health coverage. Covered California is an important new opportunity for individuals who are not yet eligible for Medicare to access insurance coverage.

Federal health care reform has also made it possible for states to work together with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop new programs that focus on comprehensive, coordinated care for adults who are eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. California has been working closely with CMS and health plans in eight counties to develop new health care and long-term service options through the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI). For more information about the CCI, including outreach materials, and other information about the Cal MediConnect Health Plans and Medi-Cal Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), click here

The California Department of Aging is working closely with the California Department of Health Care Services and other state departments to implement the Coordinated Care Initiative. One of these joint efforts is the CCI Universal Assessment Workgroup. This workgroup is focused on developing a consumer assessment instrument and process that can be used by the In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS), Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) providers and Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) sites to coordinate with the CCI health plans to serve individuals who may need, or are using these programs.