MedicaidAdministrativeHigh impact
Medi-Cal Hospice Program Attestation Now Available in the Provider Portal
Medi-Cal·CA · Palliative Care·Network
Effective date
Sep 1, 2026
We identified it
Sep 2, 2026
Summary
Medi-Cal hospice providers must now submit a Medi-Cal Hospice Attestation through the Provider Portal within 5 calendar days of members electing hospice services. The signed DHCS 8052 form must be retained in the member's medical record but is not submitted to DHCS; attestation in the portal serves as the official notice to the Department of Health Care Services.
Action Required
By September 5, 2026 (5 calendar days after attestation requirement takes effect): Hospice providers and billing team must implement workflow changes to ensure timely submission of Medi-Cal Hospice Attestations in the Provider Portal. Actions: (1) Train all clinical and billing staff on the new attestation process using the Provider Portal: Medi-Cal Hospice Attestation User Guide; (2) Establish a system to track and ensure attestations are submitted within 5 calendar days of member election; (3) Implement a process to obtain, store, and maintain the signed DHCS 8052 form in each member's medical record for audit purposes; (4) Update intake procedures to confirm informed consent before submitting attestation. Assign a billing team member to monitor portal submissions and flag missed deadlines. Attend the September 2026 Medi-Cal Provider Portal Office Hour Q&A session for additional support. Failure to submit attestations timely may result in claim processing delays or denials and audit findings.