Overview

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with the California Office of the Surgeon General, created a first-in-the-nation statewide effort to screen patients for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that lead to trauma and the increased likelihood of ACEs-Associated-Health Conditions due to toxic stress. The bold goal of this initiative is to reduce ACEs and toxic stress by half in one generation.

Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan (“Health Plan”) supports this initiative and is working diligently with you, as a provider, to ensure you are informed and have the necessary resources to conduct the screening and support members in need.

ACEs Aware offers provider resources and education on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), how to screen for ACEs, and a free, 2-hour online training that, upon completion, allows eligible providers to bill for ACEs screenings administered to pediatric and adult Medi-Cal members. Providers who complete and attest to taking the training may receive 2.0 Continuing Medical Education (CME) and 2.0 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits.

For billing questions related to ACEs screenings, you can contact our Provider Relations department at 209-942-6340.

ACEs Screening

The following tools must be used to bill for screenings administered to Medi-Cal members:

  • PEARLS (for children and adolescent members up to age 19)
  • ACE questionnaire (for adult members 18 and older).
    • Either the PEARLS or ACE questionnaire tool can be used to screen members who are 18 or 19 years old.
    • Per ACEs Aware, if an alternative version of the ACE questionnaire for adults is used, it must contain questions on the 10 original categories of ACEs to qualify.

Provider Resources:

Upcoming Trainings

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I bill for ACEs screenings?
Eligible Health Plan providers must complete and attest to taking the online ACEs Aware training in order to bill for qualifying ACEs screenings administered. ACEs Aware outlines the provider types eligible for Medi-Cal payment for ACEs screenings.

Billing and coding are based on the member’s total ACE score. ACE scores range from 0-10. Providers should use the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) billing codes based on the results of the screening:

HCPC Code Description
G9919 Screening had a score of 4 or greater (high risk)
G9920 Screening had a score of 0 to 3 (lower risk)

 

Billing requires that the completed screening was reviewed, the appropriate tool was used, results were documented and interpreted, results were discussed with the member and/or family, and any clinically appropriate actions were documented. This documentation should remain in the member’s medical record and be available upon request by the member and/or the member’s parent(s) or guardian(s), in compliance with all relevant state and federal privacy requirements.

Providers can bill for ACEs screenings administered to Medi-Cal members younger than 21 once annually, and once per lifetime (per provider) for adult members age 21 through 64.

What if a member screens high risk for ACEs?
Not all members who screen high-risk for ACEs will require treatment, such as outpatient therapy. Providers are encouraged to review the ACEs Aware Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning guidelines, which outline next steps after screening, including patient education on toxic stress, strategies to regulate the stress response, and validation of existing strengths and protective factors.

Health Plan offers behavioral health services and can help Medi-Cal members navigate their options for follow-up care, if needed.

Contact our Mental Health Services administrator at 1-888-581-PLAN (7526).

Are there additional resources about ACEs?

Visit ACEs Aware to access:

  • Provider toolkit
  • ACEs screening clinical workflow
  • Patient/family education handouts
  • Upcoming education events and past webinars

Other resources:

Policy guidance:

Posted on October 11th, 2023 and last modified on August 5th, 2024.

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