Subacute Care Facilities

Members in need of adult or pediatric subacute care services must be placed in a health care facility that is under contract for subacute care with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Subacute Contracting Unit (SCU) or is actively in the process of applying for a contract with SCU. In order to receive Medi-Cal subacute care reimbursement, a provider must be contracted with DHCS as per CCR, title 22, section 51215.6 (a) which states “Adult subacute services and pediatric subacute services shall be provided by a licensed general acute care hospital with distinct-part skilled nursing beds or a freestanding certified nursing facility that enters into a contract with the Department.” This requirement ensures that facilities receiving Medi-Cal subacute care reimbursement meet certain standards and that members residing in these facilities do not experience disruptions in access to care.

In order for facilities to receive Medi-Cal reimbursement, they must have a Subacute Care Program contract with DHCS SCU. Facilities must submit an application to SCU. The list of the currently contracted providers is available on the Medi-Cal Subacute website.

Facilities already contracted with DHCS SCU do not need to take any action

Facilities not contracted contact the DHCS’ SCU to request an application.

For more information, refer to the Medi-Cal Subacute Care Contracting: Application Information for Facilities Fact Sheet on the DHCS website. Additional information on the Subacute Care Facility Carve-In can also be found on the site.