California Medicaid Launches Whole Child Model Program

On July 1, 2018, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) began implementing the Whole Child Model (WCM) program. The WCM moves case management responsibility and financial risk for most services covered through the California Children’s Services Program (CCS) into Medicaid health plan contracts in 21 counties that use the County Organized Health System (COHS) structure. CCS currently serves approximately 180,000 children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and who meet income eligibility requirements.