Patients Experiencing Homelessness

About Patients Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness in California is at a crisis point, and hospitals are on the front lines. Teams of hospital social workers, case managers, nurses, doctors, and others, work tirelessly to meet the complex needs of Californians experiencing homelessness. They employ comprehensive strategies to care for and safely discharge their homeless patients, addressing their complex social needs with food, clothing, medications, connections to community-based services, and more. But just as the reasons for homelessness are multi-faceted, so too are solutions, which must include more than just hospitals. Civic leaders, elected officials, the business community, non-profit, and social service organizations all will play a vital role in addressing this crisis.

5 Things To Know: EMS Mobile App, Discharge Delays Survey, Respiratory Virus Surges, Equity Of Care Award, CHA Seismic Webinar Recording:

EMS MOBILE APP: The San Diego County EMS Office has released a new EMS Mobile App, available to the community at emsmobile.sandiegocounty.gov. It allows users to easily search through all protocols and policies using keywords. In addition, users can bookmark specific protocols and policies to quickly access them at any time. The EMS Mobile App also […]

5 Things To Know: Human Trafficking, Assisted Living Waiver Renewal,Cybersecurity Symposium, Nurse Staffing Ratios, Check Your Mood

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: County of San Diego emergency medical services medical director is sharing a recent talk from Deputy District Attorney Flavio Nominati titled “Effects of COVID and Title 42 on the Management of Human Trafficking.” Additional lectures from the county’s monthly Evidence-Based Medicine lecture series are available online. Please forward to others who may have […]

5 Things To Know: Homelessness Solutions, San Diego Restructuring, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Sahma’s Strategic Plan, Fake Pharmacy Callers

HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION ACTION PLAN: The County of San Diego is seeking public input by Sept. 15 on the draft Homelessness Solutions and Prevention Action Plan, which is intended to advance the county’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The draft Action Plan outlines the county’s strategies to impact homelessness regionally. Relevant feedback on […]

5 Things To Know: Office of Health Care Affordability, Medi-Cal Budget Request, Veterans in Suicidal Crisis, Empath Unit Deadline Extended, Behavioral Health Playbook

OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY: The California Hospital Association (CHA) has developed a web page for the new Office of Health Care Affordability. The web page contains background information on the office’s main responsibilities and implementation timelines. It will be updated as new information becomes available. Contact Ben Johnson at bjohnson@calhospital.org with any questions.  

5 Things To Know: Imperial County, Reminder — CDPH Leadership Updates and District Session, Addressing Homelessness, MEDICARE MEDI-CAL Plans (MMPS), Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program Application Cycles

IMPERIAL COUNTY: Larry Lewis, who has been Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District CEO since 2012, has been hired to lead the Imperial County Local Health Authority. The announcement was made at the commission meeting on Oct. 10. He will assume responsibilities with the health authority on Nov. 14. We thank Larry for his years of service on the HASD&IC board and for his leadership at Pioneers to enhance the health and well-being of Imperial County communities. We wish him the best in his next endeavor and look forward to working with him in his new role.

5 Things To Know: Medi-Cal Managed Care Contract Appeals, HQI Annual Conference, Behavioral Health, New Homeless Shelter, and Medical Device Vulnerability

MEDI-CAL MANAGED CARE CONTRACT APPEALS: Aetna Better Health of California, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Community Health Group, and Centene Corporation have all appealed the Department of Health Care Services’ notice of intent to award Medi-Cal Managed Care contracts in San Diego County. Health Net — owned by Centene — was awarded contracts in a number of counties, it is protesting its absence from Los Angeles County. In its appeal, Health Net contends that its historical presence and work providing Medi-Cal in the region merits its continued provision of managed care in the county.

What ‘Stranger Things’ Shows Us About Relationships

If your house is anything like mine, lately you’ve probably been hearing a lot about Netflix’s hit show “Stranger Things.” You may even be a fan of it yourself. You’re probably also well aware that the show centers on a number of mysteries and supernatural events occurring around the fictitious town of Hawkins, Indiana.  

5 Things To Know: Medi-Cal Eligibility, National Hospital Week, Rural Floor Court Ruling

MEDI-CAL ELIGIBILITY FOR NEW UKRAINIAN ARRIVALS: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter to provide guidance to counties on the Medi-Cal eligibility of Ukrainian nationals arriving in California. It is anticipated that a significant number will resettle in California. The federal government has not provided any special benefit eligibility for this population, but has authorized the use of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainian arrivals who qualify. Many of the Ukrainian arrivals may enter under TPS or as humanitarian parolees and may not be eligible for the traditional federal services offered to immigrants granted refugee status. However, they may qualify for state-funded programs, including state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal. The letter provides guidance on how to establish Medi-Cal eligibility for this population (based on current Medi-Cal policy) for state and federal Medi-Cal benefits. DHCS will work closely with the state Office of Refugee Health and stakeholders to ensure that new Ukrainian arrivals receive the Medi-Cal benefits to which they are entitled.