Evaluation of Cal MediConnect, the California Duals Demonstration Project

The Community Living Policy Center and the UC Berkeley Health Research for Action Center are conducting an evaluation of Cal MediConnect, a federally-funded state demonstration program that aims to integrate Medicaid and Medicare services for dually eligible beneficiaries.  The "duals" are a population with an often complex array of needs, including medical care, mental health care, and long-term services and supports. Health plans in seven California counties offer adults who are eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage “coordinated medical, behavioral health, long-term institutional, and home- and community-based services through a single organized delivery system.”  The evaluation is funded primarily by The SCAN Foundation; research on long-term services and supports in Cal MediConnect is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research through the Community Living Policy Center.

The project documents the impact of the program on beneficiaries’ experiences with care, including access, quality, and coordination. The study also examines service delivery system response to the initiative in several sectors, including health plans, medical care providers, behavioral health, skilled nursing, and home- and community-based services. The 3-year evaluation began in January 2015. Research was conducted via focus groups, telephone surveys, and stakeholder interviews. Publications from this project include the following:

The research team is working closely with the California Department of Health Care Services and an expert Advisory Group, including stakeholders from a variety of sectors.  The UC research team includes:
Image of evaluation researchers and advisors

 

Last modified May 16, 2018