25 July 2017 – This month, Free At Last joins other substance use disorder providers throughout San Mateo County to offer expanded services under the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System. In April 2016, San Mateo County became the first in California to receive approval from the California Department of Health Care Services and Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a local Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) program. Medi-Cal recipients who reside in the county now have access to a broader range of treatment options and improved quality, timeliness and access to care.
The program incorporates new spending flexibility to help people get sober and reduce the social and financial costs of those with substance abuse disorders. Providers have been able to expand treatment services and are reimbursed for providing a much wider range of options to individuals with Medi-Cal.
“Medi-Cal beneficiaries in need of treatment are able to access withdrawal management, short-term residential treatment, intensive outpatient, medication assisted treatment, narcotic treatment services, physician consultation and outpatient services, along with case management and recovery support,” according to Clara Boyden, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Alcohol and Other Drug Services manager. “We are pleased to have Free At Last participate in providing these expanded services to the community.”
“When people have better access to comprehensive substance use treatment, the path toward recovery improves substantially.” said Stephen Kaplan, Director of San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. “DMC-ODS helps close the gaps in our treatment and recovery system and remove barriers that can discourage people from getting the help they need. When access to care improves, so does the quality of life for those we serve.”
The Organized Delivery System has been phased in throughout San Mateo County staring in February of this year.