Access Community Health says enrollment specialist restored coverage for hundreds during Medi-Cal redeterminations
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Summary
Access Community Health told commissioners its enrollment specialist helped 238 Pleasanton residents avoid lapses during the post-pandemic Medi-Cal redetermination period and that many disenrollments statewide were procedural rather than eligibility-based
Liz Perez Howe, CEO of Access Community Health, described an enrollment specialist position funded to assist Medi-Cal enrollees through redetermination after the pandemic-era continuous coverage pause ended. She said most of Access's patients are low-income and many qualify for Medi-Cal; the enrollment specialist helped applicants complete paperwork and navigated procedural errors that otherwise produce coverage lapses.
Perez Howe cited a Department of Health Care Services report that she summarized for commissioners: an estimated 86% of Medi-Cal disenrollments statewide were due to procedural errors rather than substantive eligibility changes. She said Access set a goal to assist 90 Pleasanton clients and instead helped 238 unduplicated individuals during the fiscal year, including people connected through outreach at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
Commissioners asked whether the enrollment position would be ongoing. Perez Howe said the role will expand because policy changes (she referenced upcoming administrative changes that will require more frequent recertification and work verification) mean more people will need handholding through the process; Access is preparing to seek additional funds and supports to scale the service.