This webinar, hosted by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) with support from the California Health Care Foundation, is the second in a five-part virtual learning series. The series is exploring opportunities to strengthen 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.

This second webinar will focus on assessing individuals for referral into assisted living. It will explore barriers and opportunities to appropriately divert Medi-Cal members from institutional care and into assisted living, as well as best practices for effective transitions into assisted living settings. It will also examine the current and potential future roles of key stakeholders in this assessment and referral process.

Managed care plan staff, enhanced care management and Community Supports providers, assisted living waiver care coordination agencies, county behavioral health and mental health plan providers, assisted living operators and providers, hospital and skilled nursing facility providers, and social services providers, among other interested stakeholders, are encouraged to attend this 90-minute event.

Agenda

I. Welcome and Overview

Speaker: Zackiya Grant-Knight, Program Officer, CHCS

Z. Grant-Knight will welcome participants and provide an overview of the Assisted Living for Medi-Cal Enrollees: Virtual Learning Series. She will review key challenges in identifying and appropriately assessing residents for assisted living settings, related to funding, enrollee needs, and available supports, among other factors. Additionally, she will highlight the different roles stakeholders play in this process.

II. Key Challenges in Appropriately Identifying and Assessing Individuals for Assisted Living

Speakers: Amy Scribner, Health Plan of San Mateo; Dustin Harper, Institute on Aging; Ed Ortiz, independent consultant

A. Scribner, D. Harper, and E. Ortiz will discuss key indicators that a Medi-Cal enrollee should be diverted from institutional care or is ready to be transitioned into assisted living. They will describe the decision points for determining if assisted living is the most appropriate setting for a member. They will also discuss the various funding streams that can support enrollees, based on their unique health and social needs.

III. Moderated Q&A 

Moderator: Emma Rauscher, Program Officer, CHCS

IV. Preview of Upcoming Sessions and Wrap-Up

Speaker: Z. Grant-Knight, CHCS

Z. Grant-Knight will preview upcoming webinars in the learning series.