California Policy Needs During COVID and Beyond: Due Process

Executive Summary

Medi-Cal is a lifeline for Californians during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Among the many crucial benefits of Medi-Cal, beneficiaries have strong due process protections including the right to written notices, an appeal of denials, and a hearing. These protections ensure that beneficiaries have meaningful rights to challenge negative Medi-Cal decisions made by the county, managed care plans, and the state agency that administers the Medi-Cal programs.

Temporary due process flexibilities have sought to promote accessibility to Medi-Cal benefits during the PHE. While these temporary changes provide an opportunity to improve access and due process protections, challenges remain. The following policy recommendations would improve and streamline due process rights for Medi-Cal beneficiaries in the face of the pandemic and beyond.

This brief is part of NHeLP’s California Policy Needs During COVID and Beyond series. Additional entries include:

• California Policy Needs During COVID and Beyond: Telehealth
• California Policy Needs During COVID and Beyond: Reproductive and Sexual Health 
• California Policy Needs During COVID and Beyond: Due Process