Welcome to the December CalAIM e-newsletter!

This monthly e-newsletter will serve as a consistent space for communication around all things CalAIM. It will share information such as FAQs, links to DHCS and CalMHSA resources, and BHRS CalAIM updates, all of which can also be found on the Intranet site, here. This resource exists to support you, so all feedback, questions, and content suggestions are welcome. Together we can tackle CalAIM bit by bit. Keep in mind - how do you build a house? One brick at a time!

Your CalAIM communications team, 

Audrey Davis and Caprice Scott

A Note from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa

I am really excited about the promise of CalAIM. When we are able to implement the changes successfully, our clients and their families will benefit greatly from coordinated and timely services, improved quality of care and eventually better outcomes related to their health. Imagine counties having services aligned with each other! We also anticipate that these CalAIM changes will benefit us: less time spent on documentation, more time devoted to direct services/client care, and hopefully fewer audit disallowances and recoupments! 

I wish we had all the time in the world to implement these necessary changes, but things are moving swiftly with the State and we need to comply locally. Frankly, it's overwhelming and frustrating at times, especially when you are learning new ways to do things! But, we will face these challenges head on, like always. I also heard you loud and clear – that you want us to better communicate what’s happening and why, and that we remain thoughtful and mindful about the changes that are being implemented! I am not promising that things will go smoothly, but we certainly learned our lesson from the AvatarNX rollout earlier this year. We want to be better.

Onward.

Jei

Welcome, Caprice!

BHRS welcomes Caprice Scott, our CalAIM Project Manager. Caprice has worked closely with DHCS and has worked for CalMHSA supporting 25 counties with CalAIM deliverables. Caprice is an amazing resource and we are lucky to have her! Here’s how she can support:

• Individual & department trainings
• Resource guide
• Face–to-face meetings
• Communicating updates​

Please email her at cscott1@smcgov.org for questions and concerns regarding CalAIM.

CalAIM Client Story Spotlight

So, can BHRS bill for the time it took to help her with her basic needs, such as shelter? YES!

Read more about the Criteria to Access SMHS and Medical Necessity BHIN here.

CalAIM Myth Busting

More CalAIM myth busting can be found here.

Thank you for attending the first CalAIM Forum!

Please find common themes collected from the breakout rooms along with feedback here, or on the Intranet page under "CalAIM Forum Review".

CalAIM FAQ's

Submit your CalAIM questions to cscott1@smcgov.org! Questions and answers will be featured in this newsletter and will be posted in the CalAIM resource hub, here.

• For FAQ's regarding SMHS, DMC-ODS Policy Improvements, BH Documentation Requirements, No Wrong Door and Co-Occurring Treatment, Screening and Transition Tools, Administrative Integration of SMH and SUD services, Coding during Assessment, Compliance and Claiming, click here. 
• For recently updated payment reform FAQ's, click here. 
• For recently updated IGT FAQs, click here. 

Let us know what you need!

Please email cscott1@smcgov.org for any CalAIM questions. For questions or feedback about this newsletter, please email Audrey at adavis2@smcgov.org. Thank you for reading and see you in January!