New Data Use Agreement Aims to Mitigate Post-Pandemic Challenges for Student Health Coverage
In a move to proactively support schools during the post-pandemic transition, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has unveiled an updated Data Use Agreement (DUA) template. This initiative is geared towards helping educational institutions maintain continuity of student health coverage as the nation phases out the public health emergency measures established for COVID-19.
Critical Support in a Time of Change
This updated DUA grants schools short-term authorization to obtain enhanced information regarding students’ Medi-Cal coverage. Set to remain in effect until September 1, 2024, it represents a pivotal tool for schools to preemptively identify and address the health coverage needs of students at risk of losing their Medi-Cal benefits. This is especially crucial as the termination of the public health emergency could lead to increased volatility in health coverage status for families.
Strategic Benefits for Educational Institutions:
The DUA is invaluable for schools with Medi-Cal outreach programs, empowering them to strategically target and support students for re-enrollment.
Schools will have access to the latest two months of coverage data, providing a critical window into the near future of students’ coverage statuses.
This enhanced data access is temporary, available only until August 31, 2024, making it essential for schools to utilize this resource promptly.
Paradigm's Role in Facilitating Access
Paradigm, a dedicated LEA Billing vendor, is poised to support schools in maximizing the benefits of the updated DUA. Committed to ensuring schools can extend their outreach and retain student health coverage, Paradigm will process and provide this additional data to its clients at no extra charge. This reflects Paradigm’s ongoing commitment to empowering educational institutions, especially as they navigate the complexities following the end of COVID-19 emergency provisions.
Schools are encouraged to take swift action to incorporate this updated DUA into their operations, to ensure the health coverage needs of their students remain a priority.
DHCS Offers Extensive Outreach Materials to Support Schools with Medi-Cal Coverage Awareness
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched a comprehensive outreach campaign. This initiative aims to increase awareness about the Medi-Cal redetermination process which is especially pertinent as the nation emerges from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
DHCS's public information campaign provides an array of easily accessible, downloadable, and shareable outreach materials tailored to meet the diverse needs of communities. The resources include messaging, social graphics, flyers, videos, and toolkits, which are available in 19 threshold languages to ensure broad accessibility.
These materials are designed to facilitate collaboration with stakeholders and community organizations, empowering them to effectively communicate the necessity of keeping up-to-date with Medi-Cal coverage details. With the regular addition of new resources to their platform, DHCS is committed to supporting educational institutions in keeping their communities covered and informed.
Schools can utilize these valuable tools to enhance their outreach programs, ensuring students and families take the necessary steps to maintain their health coverage during and beyond the unwinding of continuous coverage policies.
