Medi-Cal: behavioral health: data sharing.
- Requires Medi-Cal health plans to share behavioral health data electronically to improve patient care coordination.
- Mandates the state health department to publish data sharing guidelines by January 1, 2027.
- Takes effect 180 days after final guidelines are published.
- Maintains existing federal and state privacy protections for patient health information.
Assembly Member Krell's behavioral health data sharing legislation mandates electronic information exchange among Medi-Cal managed care plans, county specialty mental health plans, and Drug Medi-Cal programs to coordinate patient care. The measure adds requirements for these entities to share specified member data while maintaining compliance with federal and state privacy protections.
The California Department of Health Care Services must develop implementation guidance through stakeholder consultation by March 2026, with final standards published by January 2027. This guidance will establish minimum data elements, sharing frequency, and formatting requirements aligned with the state's Data Exchange Framework. The data sharing obligations take effect 180 days after the guidance is issued.
The legislation maintains existing privacy safeguards, explicitly preserving protections under HIPAA and federal substance use disorder confidentiality regulations. All data exchange must adhere to state rules governing permissible health information sharing between providers and plans. The department will oversee implementation through formal notices and bulletins directing affected entities to exchange information according to the new requirements.
 Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Mike GipsonD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Tim GraysonD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Megan DahleR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Kelly SeyartoR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | PASS |
- Requires Medi-Cal health plans to share behavioral health data electronically to improve patient care coordination.
- Mandates the state health department to publish data sharing guidelines by January 1, 2027.
- Takes effect 180 days after final guidelines are published.
- Maintains existing federal and state privacy protections for patient health information.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Krell's behavioral health data sharing legislation mandates electronic information exchange among Medi-Cal managed care plans, county specialty mental health plans, and Drug Medi-Cal programs to coordinate patient care. The measure adds requirements for these entities to share specified member data while maintaining compliance with federal and state privacy protections.
The California Department of Health Care Services must develop implementation guidance through stakeholder consultation by March 2026, with final standards published by January 2027. This guidance will establish minimum data elements, sharing frequency, and formatting requirements aligned with the state's Data Exchange Framework. The data sharing obligations take effect 180 days after the guidance is issued.
The legislation maintains existing privacy safeguards, explicitly preserving protections under HIPAA and federal substance use disorder confidentiality regulations. All data exchange must adhere to state rules governing permissible health information sharing between providers and plans. The department will oversee implementation through formal notices and bulletins directing affected entities to exchange information according to the new requirements.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | PASS |
Anna CaballeroD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mike GipsonD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Tim GraysonD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Megan DahleR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Kelly SeyartoR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |