Workstream

Enhanced Medi-Cal Benefits – Dyadic Services

About this Workstream

On January 1, 2023, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) implemented dyadic care services as a covered benefit under Medi-Cal. Dyadic care combines behavioral health treatment with pediatric care, primarily for children 0-5, to simultaneously support children and their caregivers. It uses an integrated approach that enables early screening and treatment of behavioral health conditions, often overlooked in routine care, and addresses trauma before it escalates. Services covered by the benefit include behavioral health well-child visits, navigation and follow-up for referrals, psychoeducation, family training and counseling, and specified mental and behavioral health screenings for caregivers.

Dyadic care’s integrated approach enables early screening and treatment of behavioral health conditions, often overlooked in routine care, and addresses trauma before it escalates. By involving the entire family, it also screens for broader health and social issues. This holistic model ensures immediate, on-site intervention, reducing barriers to specialized care and promoting overall familial well-being.

Managed by

DHCS

Strategic Area

Coverage

Funding

NA

Timeline

2023

Workstream Goals

Implement dyadic services in Medi-Cal that provide support and care for children and their caregivers simultaneously, in a holistic way. Based on the HealthySteps model of care, which provides integrated behavioral care where pediatric mental health professionals are available to address developmental and behavioral health concerns and families are screened for behavioral health problems together.

Add dyadic behavioral health visits for coverage as well as make slight modifications to existing Medi-Cal benefits.

Key Achievements

On January 6, 2025, the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services approved California’s State Plan Amendment 23-0010, which authorizes an Alternative Payment Methodology (APM) for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics and a supplemental payment for Tribal Health Programs for the provision of eligible dyadic services.

On January 1, 2023, the dyadic care services benefit went live in the Medi-Cal fee-for-service and managed care systems as described in the Medi-Cal provider manual.

Submitted a State Plan Amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding dyadic services in Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and Tribal Health Programs.

Published and later refined the All Plan Letter (APL) 22-029 to provide Medi-Cal managed care health plans (MCPs) with guidance on coverage requirements.

Initiated a series of technical assistance webinars and office hours focused on new Medi-Cal benefits, including dyadic services.

Developed an MCP monitoring reporting template to capture member utilization and provider network, including provider capacity.

Milestones

January 2026

Approved California State Plan Amendment 23-0010 authorizing an Alternative Payment Methodology (APM)

January 2023

Add dyadic services benefit as covered Medi-Cal benefit.