21-672m Be Part of Your Patient's First Steps to Heal ACEs and Toxic Stress

Date: 09/21/21

This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, and Ancillary providers.

This information applies to Medi-Cal in Fresno, Kings and Madera counties.

Get certified to screen for ACEs through online training

Screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) lets you know whether a patient is at increased health risk due to toxic stress. Identifying and treating cases of trauma in children and adults can lower long-term health costs.

How you can help

As a Medi-Cal provider, you can get online ACEs training at no cost to you.  

• Complete the certified ACEs Aware Core training.
• Fill out and submit the online self-attestation form after training.
• Submit claims to receive payment for ACEs screening once you are certified.

Visit ACEs Aware.

• The training lasts two hours. It covers trauma-informed care, how to use the Pediatric ACEs Screening and Related Life-events Screener (PEARLS) tool, and the ACEs questionnaire.

The attestation form is on the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website.

• You must attest with a valid NPI number, or you will not receive payment.

Contact our support team

If you have questions about DHCS receiving your attestation online, contact Provider Services or Provider Relations. A support team member can let you know if DHCS received your form.

Stay involved after ACEs screening

You should prepare a treatment plan and have a referral process ready for patients identified with behavioral, social or trauma issues. Include a follow-up plan that checks your patient’s progress to ensure they get the support they need.

More resources

• ACEs Aware has links to more resources.
• Basics of Trauma Informed Care, Health Care Toolbox. It has links to more resources.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on our website. There are links to separate sections for Prevent, Screen for ACEs, Treatment, Heal: Referral and Resources.
• Provider update, 20-682, Take Online Training to Get Paid for Screening for ACEs, dated September 15, 2020. The update offers a quick look at different screening tools for different ages, payments for HCPCS codes, how to calculate scores after screening, and more.

Additional information

If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact CalViva Health at 888-893-1569.