Medi-Cal Update 2024-6: Discontinuance of VCI

Discontinuance of Verify Current Income (VCI) Service

Date	References	Clerical	Implementation
12/31/24	ACWDL 24-29	N/A	January 1, 2025

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Background

Using electronic sources to verify income when determining eligibility for Medi-Cal minimizes the need for applicants and members to submit paper verifications. In Februaury 2022, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) received authorization from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement Equifax's Verify Current Income (VCI) Service as an additional electronic verification source available through the Federal Data Services Hub (FDSH). The other verification sources that the FDSH uses only return a high-level result of whether the income was found reasonably compatible or not, whereas VCI transmits more detailed income and employment data in real time.  

Changes

Due to the significant cost associated with the use of Equifax's VCI service, DHCS has decided to temporarily discontinue the use of VCI in the CalHEERS system.

 

Implementation

CalHEERS will update their system in December 2024  to temporarily discontinue the connection to the VCI service. Beginning January 1, 2025, the VCI service will no longer be called through the FDSH or return VCI data for use as verification. Data already retrieved prior to January 1, 2025, will remain available for use as acceptable verification.

Other Programs

This change only affects the Medi-Cal Program. 

 

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Department of Employment & Benefits Services

Contact Person(s): Megan Turney, SSA BPIS