California Medicaid waiver for Native traditional healing faces renewal
State's coverage for traditional healing services expires at the end of 2026
California's Medicaid waiver allowing reimbursement for Native traditional healing services is set to expire Dec. 31, making it the first of four state waivers approved in 2024 to come up for renewal, according to reporting from Native News Online. The waiver allows Medi-Cal to reimburse traditional healing services for Native patients receiving treatment for substance use disorder. Arizona, Oregon and New Mexico also received federal approval for similar waivers, though those states cover all Indian Health Service-eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
Renewal requires state and federal public notice-and-comment periods and evidence that the waiver has been effective and budget-neutral. The California Consortium for Urban Indian Health said it supports renewing the waiver and expanding access by streamlining reimbursement and allowing Tribal clinics and Urban Indian Organizations to bill Medi-Cal directly. The organization also supports expanding coverage beyond substance use disorder and behavioral health services, according to the Native News Online reporting.
- 1.Elyse Wild. Native News Online, .
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