MedicaidCoverageHigh impact
26-584 Updated Youth Trauma Screening Requirements
Health Net·CA · Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Medicine·Reimbursement
Effective date
Apr 1, 2026
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Effective April 1, 2026, Medi-Cal now requires specific DHCS-approved screening tools for youth trauma assessments and limits reimbursement for ACEs screening to only the ACEs questionnaire or PEARLS tools. Providers must update their screening practices and documentation to ensure compliance and avoid payment denials.
Action Required
Immediately: Review all trauma screening tools currently used with Medi-Cal members under age 21. Replace any non-approved tools with DHCS-approved options (ACEs questionnaire, PEARLS, CANS-Trauma Module, IP-CANS, CATS, CPSS-5-Screen, CTS, LEC-5, or UCLA PTSD RI-5 BF) for SMHS access screening. For ACEs screening reimbursement, use ONLY ACEs questionnaire or PEARLS. Update billing workflows to clearly document which screening tool was used and the purpose (SMHS access vs ACEs screening). Train staff on new requirements and update internal guidance materials. Failure to use approved tools may result in service access issues or claim denials.