Enhanced Care Management (ECM)

A personalized Medi-Cal benefit that gives you a dedicated Lead Care Manager to coordinate your healthcare, housing, and social services—at no cost to you.

What is Enhanced Care Management?

Enhanced Care Management (ECM) is a comprehensive new CalAIM benefit designed for Medi-Cal members with complex needs. It goes beyond standard medical care by addressing the Social Determinants of Health—the real-life factors that affect your well-being, such as housing stability and food security.

Instead of navigating the confusing healthcare system alone, you are paired with a Lead Care Manager. This person is your advocate, working with your doctors, specialists, and community providers to ensure everyone is on the same page. We meet you where you are—whether that’s at the doctor’s office, in a shelter, or on the street.

ABOUT ECM ELIGIBILITY

Who Is Eligible for ECM?

To qualify for ECM in Los Angeles County, you must be a Medi-Cal member and fall into one of the Populations of Focus defined by the DHCS:

  • Experiencing Homelessness: Individuals and families without stable housing.

  • High Utilizers: People with frequent ER visits or hospital admissions (5+ ER visits or 3+ admissions in 6 months).

  • Serious Mental Illness (SMI) / SUD: Adults with significant behavioral health needs.

  • Transitioning from Incarceration: Adults re-entering the community from jail or prison.

  • Risk of Institutionalization: Adults at risk of moving into a nursing facility.

Care services

What Does ECM Include?

Your benefit includes five core services designed to simplify your healthcare journey. We coordinate everything—from doctors to housing—so you can focus on getting better.

Care Coordination

We act as the “hub” for your health, ensuring your primary care doctor, specialists, and mental health providers talk to each other to create one unified care plan.

Dedicated Care Manager

You get a single point of contact—a real person who knows your story, answers your calls, and advocates for your needs within the healthcare system.

Hospital Support

(Comprehensive Transitional Care)
We visit you in the hospital and help plan your discharge, ensuring you have medications, transportation, and follow-up appointments ready before you leave.

Housing Navigation

(Community Supports Coordination)
For homeless members, we coordinate directly with housing providers to help you apply for deposits, find apartments, and secure permanent housing.

Chronic Condition Support

(Health Promotion)
We provide coaching and support to help you manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, preventing unnecessary emergency room visits.

 Medical content reviewed and validated by Ekaterina Timofeeva, PhD.