MediCal, California’s health insurance program that covers one in three Californians, has recently expanded its services to include social supports for those at risk of homelessness or who are already homeless. During a video conference organized by Ethnic Media Services, health workers, community providers, and officials from the California Department of Health Care Services discussed how MediCal is addressing the health needs of homeless individuals.
Glenn Tsang, a homelessness and housing policy advisor for the California Department of Health Care Services, highlighted the importance of MediCal’s transformation in meeting the healthcare needs of those facing homelessness. The Enhanced Care Management Community Supports launched in 2022 aim to provide connections to emergency shelters, transitional housing, and improved medical and behavioral healthcare for beneficiaries.
Homeless individuals often rely on emergency room care for their healthcare needs, which is why housing services are now available under Community Supports, specifically tailored to the homeless population. Services include housing transition navigation, assistance with housing searches and applications, financial support for deposits, and housing options for those discharged from hospitals.
MediCal has also requested federal partners to cover six months of rent for members transitioning from settings like hospitals, jails, or emergency rooms. Additionally, individuals between the ages of 26 and 40 now qualify for full MediCal coverage, irrespective of their immigration status, and can access the Enhanced Care Management benefit for complex healthcare needs, including homelessness.
Community health centers like the Shasta Community Health Center have been providing healthcare to the homeless population for decades. They offer mobile medical services, street medicine programs, medical relief programs, and clinic services at local homeless shelters. The focus is on reaching out to the population and breaking down systemic barriers to access healthcare.
The UCLA Homeless Healthcare Collaborative, led by Brian Zunner-Keating, has provided thousands of clinical assessments to homeless individuals in their community. Their street medicine program brings medical professionals directly to those in need, with the help of community health workers who understand the unique needs of the homeless population.
Overall, the expansion of MediCal services to include social supports for homeless individuals aims to address the healthcare disparities faced by this vulnerable population and improve access to essential services.