Creating a Robust Stakeholder Engagement Process: A Case Study of California

On November 27th, Health Affairs published our article Building Trust for Change: Lessons on Stakeholder Engagement from California’s Integrated Care Models in their Forefront Medicare and Medicaid Integration series. The article shares best practices to engage stakeholders for states to consider as they develop new integrated care models for their dual eligible populations by using California’s transition of the Cal MediConnect Financial Alignment Initiative (FAI) demonstration to Exclusively Aligned Enrollment Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (EAE D-SNPs) as a case study.

Expertise in Stakeholder Engagement

Aurrera Health has over ten years of experience working with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on stakeholder engagement, starting with supporting the development and implementation of California’s Coordinated Care Initiative, including the Cal MediConnect demonstration, in 2011. In addition to providing strategic advice, developing policy, supporting implementation, and leading on-the-ground outreach and education efforts, Aurrera Health helped DHCS build a robust stakeholder engagement process.In 2023, California transitioned the Cal MediConnect demonstration to the EAE D-SNP model. Equipped with lessons learned from Cal MediConnect, DHCS began meeting with and collecting feedback from stakeholders three years prior to the transition’s go-live date. Aurrera Health supported the Department in facilitating statewide workgroups to encourage diverse stakeholder participation in policymaking as well as hosting recurring meetings with key advisors and sharing policy updates with community members.Our team continues to work closely with California, as DHCS expands the EAE D-SNP model statewide. In addition to maintaining previous stakeholder engagement activities, Aurrera Health works with California to develop policy and create opportunities for stakeholder input and involvement.

Sharing Best Practices

The Health Affairs article summarizes our work on California’s extensive stakeholder engagement processes and recommends the following three lessons for other states to consider as they develop integrated care options for dual eligible beneficiaries:

1. Engage Stakeholders Early and Often: By meeting with stakeholders and other partners early in the process, states can better foster relationships, build trust, and solicit feedback, helping to increase buy-in throughout implementation.

2. Close the Loop with Stakeholders: To maintain the trust built through the early engagement process, states should demonstrate ways stakeholder feedback is incorporated into policymaking.

3. Meet Stakeholders Where They Are: States should leverage existing partnerships, connections, and outreach channels to engage stakeholders in the community and spread awareness of new state policies impacting dual eligible beneficiaries.

Next Steps

By 2030, at least 25 percent of California’s population will be over the age of 60. California’s commitment to not only listening to, but also acting on, stakeholder feedback is essential to advancing person-centered, integrated care options with broad stakeholder support and can serve as a model for other states looking to better serve their dual eligible population. We look forward to continuing to support DHCS’ work to provide person-centered, coordinated care for dual eligible beneficiaries throughout the state. If you are interested in enhancing your stakeholder engagement strategy, please reach out to Mary Russell.

---

Authors

Cassidy Acosta [Deputy Director]

Sasha Hulsey [Deputy Director]

Alisa Chester [Director]