DHCS Opens 30-Day Public Comment Period on CalAIM Waiver

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By
Brendan McCarthy, Justin Garrett, Ryan Morimune, Michaela Stone, Danielle Bradley
Date Published
February 12, 2026

On Tuesday, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) opened a 30-day public comment period to solicit feedback on a five-year renewal request of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Section 1115 demonstration.  

The proposed demonstration largely seeks to continue components of CalAIM included in previous CalAIM demonstration period, including Medi-Cal Reentry Services for Justice-Involved Populations 90-Days Pre-Release, the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) – Waiver of Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services, County Option to Cover Select Outpatient SUD Services, Recovery Incentives, and more. Importantly, the draft application includes two new proposals for inclusion under the demonstration:  

  • Employment Supports: DHCS is seeking CMS approval to include Employment Supports as a county opt-in Medi-Cal covered benefit. Employment Supports would include job readiness assessments, individualized employment planning, job placement assistance, and post-employment retention services. The state is also requesting funding for initial start-up activities to support DHCS and opt-in counties with planning and development activities.  
  • BridgeCare Pilots: DHCS is seeking CMS approval to provide a set of home- and community-based services (HCBS) and caregiver supports as a county opt-in for “near duals,” defined as low-income Medicare beneficiaries with incomes close to but above Medicaid income requirements with significant health needs. The goal of these pilots is to support older adults to remain in their homes and communities, preventing costly institutionalization and improving health outcomes.  

The 30-day public comment period will remain open until Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Comments may be submitted via email to 1115waiver@dhcs.ca.gov. DHCS requests “CalAIM Section 1115 Waiver” be included in the subject line of the email. DHCS will also host two public hearings to solicit stakeholder comments: 

  • Wednesday, February 25, 2026 from 1:55 to 2:55 PM (as an agenda item in the DHCS SAC/BH-SAC meeting). Register for the Teams conference link here. 
  • Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 11:30 to 12:30 PM. Register for Teams conference link here.  

All information regarding the CalAIM Section 1115 application can be found on the DHCS website.