Many older adults and people with functional needs or disabilities require stable housing with supportive care to maintain their health and independence. Assisted living communities offer a promising alternative to institutional care, such as nursing facilities, by providing supportive care in home-like environments, often at lower costs.
While assisted living is primarily paid for out-of-pocket or through private insurance, several pathways exist for Medi‑Cal enrollees to receive financial support for care in these settings, including through California’s assisted living waiver, CalAIM Community Supports, county behavioral health and mental health plans, Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and hospital contracts. However, the use of assisted living for Medi-Cal enrollees remains limited and has not reached its full potential.
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), with support from the California Health Care Foundation, hosted this five‑part virtual learning series focused on strengthening cross-sector partnerships to improve appropriate, timely, and effective use of assisted living communities for Medi-Cal enrollees, including older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with behavioral health needs.
Webinars included:
- The Untapped Potential of Assisted Living in Addressing the Housing and Care Needs of Medi-Cal Enrollees
May 20, 2025 – This session provided an overview of California’s assisted living landscape — including types of facilities, resident characteristics, and services provided — and examined how this setting fits into the broader care and housing continuum for Medi-Cal enrollees. It also highlighted common pathways to access and finance assisted living and identified key opportunities to expand the use of assisted living services. - Who Thrives in Assisted Living? Strategies for Effective Assessments Across Settings
June 17, 2025 – This session focused on the initial stages of assessment prior to referral into assisted living. Speakers explored the barriers and opportunities to appropriately diverting and/or transitioning Medi-Cal enrollees into assisted living settings. It also included an overview of the current and potential role of various stakeholders in this stage. - Navigating Assisted Living Entry: Strengthening Referral Partnerships for Successful Transitions
July 22, 2025 – This session focused on the partnerships needed to conduct successful referrals and placements of Medi-Cal members into assisted living communities. It explored the current and potential roles of stakeholders and partners in this process, as well as explained financial and practical resources for overcoming barriers to placement. - Sustained Support: Continued Partnership to Ensure Assisted Living Residents’ Well-Being
August 21, 2025 – This session focused on barriers experienced by Medi-Cal members in maintaining their residence in assisted living communities and strategies to address them. It explored key topics, including supporting residents with significant behavioral health needs and/or who face challenges paying for room and board. The session also highlighted the roles of different stakeholders during service provision at one assisted living community. - Adapting to Different Needs: How Assisted Living Can Provide Both Long- and Short-Term Support
October 23, 2025 – This final session explored Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Facility Transitions Community Support, which offers flexible supports to help residents with short- and/or long-term stays, as well as transitions into and out of assisted living. It examined how Medicaid health plans in other states with managed long-term services and supports use assisted living to foster institutional diversion and transitions for members with disabilities.
To access responses to questions posed by participants during the series, access this FAQ document. For foundational information on assisted living in Medi-Cal, see these resources from California Health Care Foundation.
