Guidance Relating to Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment for Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the California
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department
of Public Health (CDPH), and Department of Managed Healthcare
(DMHC) continue to closely monitor and assess appropriate next
steps as well as release guidance to ensure the safety of
Medi-Cal beneficiaries, health plan enrollees, medical providers,
and California communities in general. The State of California
understands that people with disabilities are concerned that
medical providers might consider an individual’s disability
status when determining which patients to treat if hospitals or
other health care facilities experience a surge of patients
needing life-saving care.
This joint bulletin reminds health care providers and payers that
rationing care based on a person’s disability status is
impermissible and unlawful under both federal and state law.
CLICK HERE to view the complete joint bulletin from the
DHCS, CDPH, and the DMHC.