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SACRAMENTO – Gavin Newsom as the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) announced a settlement agreement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plans, Inc. (Kaiser Permanente) that would make significant changes to the plan’s delivery of behavioral health services. The Governor issued the following statement today. .
The settlement agreement includes a $50 million fine and requires Kaiser Permanente to take corrective actions to address deficiencies in the implementation and oversight of behavioral health care plans for its participants. Kaiser Permanente is also committing a total of $150 million over five years to programs that will improve the delivery of behavioral health services to all Californians, exceeding Kaiser Permanente’s existing obligations to members under the law. It also promised to make large-scale additional investments.
“This settlement agreement is intended to provide Kaiser patients with the timely care they are entitled to. Today’s action strengthens our accountability for the delivery of behavioral health services. “Private sector accountability is fundamental to ensuring our entire behavioral health system works for all Californians.” Said Governor Newsom.
Actual impact on people: The settlement will ensure that Californians with Mr. Kaiser will have full access to the behavioral health services to which they are entitled under California law. California law requires enrollees to be provided with an initial mental health or substance use disorder treatment or support appointment within 10 business days of the request and, if necessary, a follow-up appointment within 10 business days of the previous appointment. It is stipulated that it must be provided.
Learn more about the settlement here.
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