The Office of Family Planning and Family PACT

The Office of Family Planning (OFP) is charged by the California Legislature “to make available to citizens of the State who are of childbearing age comprehensive medical knowledge, assistance, and services relating to the planning of families”. The purpose of family planning is to provide women and men a means by which they decide for themselves the number, timing, and spacing of their children.

The Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) Program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services, OFP and has been operating since 1997 to provide family planning and reproductive health services at no cost to California’s low-income (under 200% federal poverty level) residents of reproductive age. The program offers comprehensive family planning services, including contraception, pregnancy testing, and sterilization, as well as sexually transmitted infection testing and limited cancer screening services.

News and Updates

Termination of COVID-19 Flexibilities for Family PACT and Updated Client Enrollment Policy

On March 26, 2020, DHCS published guidance that allowed Family PACT providers to enroll and recertify clients through telehealth or other virtual/telephonic communication modalities during the federally-declared COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). As noted in the guidance, the temporary flexibilities related to client enrollment and recertification would end upon termination of the PHE. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced its intention to end the COVID-19 PHE on May 11, 2023.

In preparation for the end of the COVID-19 PHE, DHCS updated the client enrollment policy to allow Family PACT providers to continue to enroll and recertify clients through synchronous or telephonic modalities post PHE, and solicited public comment on the draft policy. DHCS’ responses to comments received can be found in the link below.

Effective for dates of service on or after May 12, 2023, Family PACT providers must adhere to the updated Client Eligibility section published in the Family PACT Policies, P​rocedures and Billing Instructions (PPBI) manual.

Final Policy

DHCS Responses to Public Comments

Family PACT Integration into CalHEERS

OFP is pleased to announce the Family PACT client eligibility determination and enrollment transaction portal will transition to the California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment and Retention (CalHEERS) in first half of 2024. 

This transition will allow individuals interested in family planning services the ability to apply and enroll into the Family PACT Program. Family PACT providers will continue to enroll and re-enroll clients within a new CalHEERS interface. Updates will be published in future bulletins.  

Discontinuation of COVID-19 Emergency Medi-Cal Provider Enrollment

The Office of Family Planning would like to remind Family Planning, Access Care and Treatment (Family PACT) providers that effective March 29, 2023, the Department of Health Care Services discontinued Medi-Cal provider enrollment flexibilities authorized by the Section 1135 waiver. Providers temporarily and provisionally enrolled into Medi-Cal using these flexibilities wanting to continue their Medi-Cal enrollment must submit a complete provider application for their provider type and meet all program requirements.

Family PACT providers should note:

1. Enrollment in Medi-Cal with good standing is a requirement for continued participation as a provider in the Family PACT program.
2. Providers temporarily enrolled in Medi-Cal have until June 27, 2023 to submit their enrollment application.
   • Submit Medi-Cal application via the Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment (PAVE) portal.
   • Those who miss this deadline will have their temporary Medi-Cal enrollment deactivated, effective June 28, 2023, which will also deactivate their Family PACT enrollment.
3. For more information, please see the regulatory provider bulletin, entitled Discontinuation of COVID-19 Emergency Fee-For-Service Medi-Cal Enrollment.

California’s Reproductive Health Access Demonstration (CalRHAD)

California is requesting a new Section 1115 demonstration, entitled California’s Reproductive Health Access Demonstration (CalRHAD).

Visit DHCS CalRHAD Webpage for more information.

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Virtual Provider Orientation 2023

• June 8
• August 10
• October 12
• December 14

Visit the Learning Management System (LMS) webpage for registration information.

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Keeping Medi-Cal Beneficiaries Covered

Planning for the End of the Continuous Coverage Requirement

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will end soon and millions of Medi-Cal beneficiaries may lose their coverage. DHCS’ top goal is to minimize beneficiary burden and promote continuity of coverage.

How You Can Help

1. Sign Up and Become a DHCS Coverage Ambassador
   The DHCS Coverage Ambassadors will be trusted messengers made up of diverse organizations that can reach beneficiaries in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways. Additionally, DHCS Coverage Ambassadors will connect Medi-Cal beneficiaries at the local level with targeted and impactful communication. Join the DHCS Coverage Ambassador mailing list to receive the latest information and updated toolkits as they become available.
2. Raise Awareness
   Download the updated Medi-Cal Continuous Coverage Toolkit and start educating beneficiaries

For more information, visit DHCS website.

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