PD 24-02: CARMA Phase 2
| Date: | 02/08/2024 |
| To: | CalFresh and Medi-Cal Eligibility Staff |
| From: | Carmen Rodriguez, SSA BPIS |
| Reference: | N/A |
Background
Phase 1 of the Case Accuracy Review Monitoring Application (CARMA) launched on April 3, 2023. Phase 1 included CalFresh reviews as well as extending the user base to include CalFresh Eligibility Workers.
Guidance
CARMA is now in beginning Phase 2. In this phase, CARMA introduces reviews for Medi-Cal Only units and new review types for both the Medi-Cal and CalFresh programs to improve error trends.
Resuming Medi-Cal Reviews
Two web-based trainings are available through SCC Learn:
- CARMA for Medi-Cal Eligibility Workers is estimated to be completed in under 10 minutes.
- CARMA for Eligibility Work Supervisors is estimated to be completed in under 20 minutes.
For all programs, quick Reference Guides (QRG) are posted under DEBS Handbook Reference Materials. Refer to:
- CARMA - MC EW QRG
- CARMA - MC EWS QRG
There is no change to the monthly Medi-Cal review expectation of 16 reviews per month to be entered by the last working day of the month. However, to help transition to entering reviews in CARMA, the Corrective Action Steering Committee approved a build-up, and the build-up expectations are as follows:
| Review Month | Review Expectation |
| February 2024 | 4 |
| March 2024 | 8 |
| April 2024 | 12 |
| May 2024 | 16 |
Medi-Cal Corrective Action Dashboard
Beginning in March 2024, the Decision Support and Reporting (DSR) team will use the February 2024 CARMA data to design new reports that will be loaded into the SSA Dashboards application. Medi-Cal Only SSPMS and Eligibility Worker Supervisors will be provided access to the new dashboards once they have been released. The Corrective Action Medi-Cal Dashboard will return in April 2024.
New CARMA Review Types
| Review Type | Description |
| Independent |
Independent reviews are for both CalFresh and Medi-Cal EWs to review their own case(s), and can also review cases within their unit based on corrective action initiatives. |
| Sup Re-Review |
Allows the EWS to review an Independent review entered by a worker in their unit for accuracy. |
| Evaluation |
Used by the Quarterly Corrective Action Auditing Team for active CalFresh cases reviewed and observed for Quarterly Corrective Action Management Evaluations. |
| Evaluation - Neg |
Used by the Quarterly Corrective Action Auditing Team for inactive CalFresh cases reviewed and observed for Quarterly Corrective Action Management Evaluations. |
Medi-Cal Supervisors with Minimal CalFresh Cases
For units with minimal CalFresh cases every month and enter minimal CalFresh reviews in CARMA, the review expectations are 11 Medi-Cal case reviews per month and 5 active CalFresh reviews per month. Health Care Reform units are the only units with minimal CalFresh cases.
Note: MBA units are no longer considered units with minimal CalFresh cases and must review 16 active CalFresh cases and 4 negative CalFresh cases monthly beginning February 2024.
Review Due Dates Changes
With CalFresh and Medi-Cal reviews entered into CARMA, review due dates are aligned for both programs. All reviews must be entered by the close of business on the last business day of each month.
Kudos
Thank you to TSS for ongoing support with CARMA, to Staff Development for collaboration on WBTs and QRGs, and to all the volunteers who participated in User Acceptance Testing.
Implementation
Effective March 1, 2024.