25-297m Dyadic Care Services Approved for Reimbursement at Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service (FFS) Rates
Date: 06/13/25
FQHCs, RHCs and Tribal Health Programs to be paid additional Medi-Cal FFS rates for services delivered on same day for dates of service on or after March 15, 2023
California’s Department of Health Care Services introduced dyadic services as a non-specialty mental health benefit under Medi-Cal effective January 1, 2023. This initiative aims to enhance child development and mental health by providing integrated services to both children under 21 and their parents or caregivers.
On January 6, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 23-0010. The SPA authorizes the use of an alternative payment methodology (APM) to pay Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Tribal Health Programs an additional Medi-Cal FFS rate for dyadic services delivered on the same day. This FFS payment for dyadic services will be in addition to their standard prospective payment services (PPS) payment. Dyadic services rendered separately are eligible for PPS.
To learn more about SPA 23-0010, visit State Plan Amendment (SPA) #: 23-0010 (PDF).
APM reimbursement
- The APM applies to dates of service on or after March 15, 2023.
- The reimbursement rates for dyadic services will be established based on the Medi-Cal FFS rate.
Dyadic care provider manual updates and billing examples
The Department of Health Care Services recently updated their dyadic care provider manual, naming physicians (Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), including licensed Psychiatrists as a billable provider for dyadic services. The update expands the pool of providers who can deliver dyadic services to members and be reimbursed for these services. FQHCs and RHCs providers can now bill for dyadic services. Billing examples and codes can be found at: Dyadic Services Billing Examples (PDF)
Provider consultative services through Cal-MAP
California’s Child & Adolescent Mental Health Access Portal (Cal-MAP) is a statewide behavioral health program designed to provide consultative services to support providers when treating youth mental health. Consultation includes real-time, direct connections to a psychiatrist consultation to improve knowledge, skills and comfort level when treating mild to moderate mental health. Providers can register with Cal-MAP or call 800-253-2103, Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Dyadic care services
Dyadic services are preventive behavioral health services for members ages 0 to 20 years and/or their caregivers. Dyadic services are available to non-Medi-Cal eligible parent(s)/caregiver(s) of children (Medi-Cal members under age 21) so long as the dyadic service is for the direct benefit of the child. Parent(s)/caregiver(s) can receive specific assessment, screening, counseling, and brief intervention services, including family training and counseling.
Dyadic services refer to serving both parent(s) or caregiver(s) and child together as a dyad. It is a form of treatment that targets family well-being to support healthy child development and mental health.
Eligible dyadic services includes:
- Behavioral health well-child visits.
- Comprehensive community supports services.
- Psychoeducational services.
- Family training and counseling for child development.
- Caregiver services.
The dyadic behavioral health well-child visit is provided for both child and parents/caregivers together. It is preferred that the visit is within the pediatric primary care setting, the same day as the medical well-child visit.
Dyadic services screen for:
- Behavioral health problems.
- Interpersonal safety.
- Tobacco and substance misuse.
- Social drivers of health, such as food insecurity and housing instability, and
- Referrals for appropriate follow-up care.
Facilities or clinics that offer integrated physical health and behavioral health services, such as health centers and FQHCs, are able to conduct the medical well-child visit, the DBH well-child visit and some or all of the ongoing dyadic services.
For more information on dyadic services, refer to update, 24-1272m, Support Healthy Child Development and Mental Health With Dyadic Services and Family Therapy Benefits (PDF). This is available on the provider portal in the Provider Library under Provider Updates and Notices. Search for provider update 24-1272m or visit the University of California San Francisco Center for Advancing Dyadic Care in Pediatrics.
Additional information
If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact the Health Net Provider Services Center by email, by telephone or through the Health Net provider portal.
Provider Services
Line of business | Phone number |
|---|---|
Medi-Cal (including CS and ECM providers) | |
Behavioral Health providers |
This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, Ancillary Providers, Community Supports (CS) Providers, Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Providers, and Behavioral Health Providers.
For Medi-Cal, this information applies to Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Los Angeles, Molina, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.