2026 Memo Series Communication
2026 Policy Memos
Policy Memo - anything that changes Departmental policy because of the federal and/or state legislation, rules or regulations promulgated as a result of previous federal and/or state legislation, rules, regulations, policies, or procedures. A Policy Memo can interpret and provide further guidance to previously promulgated regulations.
| Memo Number | Memo Title | Issue Date | Audience | Topic | Subtopic | Keywords | Expiration Date | Attachment(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM 26-001 | Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) Documentation Requirements | 1/5/2026 | Members, Families, Authorized Representatives (ARs), Providers, Advocates, IHSS Agencies, and those who interact with Participant-Directed Programs, Case Managers, Case Management Agencies | Benefits | None | Health Maintenance Activities (HMA), Documentation Requirements, HMA Checklist, Participant-Directed Programs, Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS), In-Home Support Services (IHSS), Self Direction, Community First Choice (CFC) | 12/22/2028 | None |
2026 Operational Memos
Operational Memo - detailed instructions and/or clarifications to contracted entities and county partners to operationalize a new or existing state and/or federal law, new or existing state and/or federal rule, or Department policy.
| Memo Number | Memo Title | Issue Date | Audience | Topic | Subtopic | Keywords | Expiration Date | Attachment(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM 26-005 | Updates to Community Connector Rate, Policy, and Limits in the Children's Extensive Supports (CES) & Children's Habilitative Residential Program (CHRP) Waivers | 1/15/2026 | Members, Families, Advocates, Case Management Agencies (CMAs), Provider Agencies, Stakeholders | Benefits | LTSS Budget Initiative - Updates to Community Connector Rate, Policy, and Limits | Community Connector Services, Exception Process, Medicaid Sustainability, Children's Extensive Supports (CES), Children's Habilitative Residential Program (CHRP) | 1/15/2028 | None |
| OM 26-004 | Implementation of Caregiver Limits on Homemaking Services Provided by Legally Responsible Persons | 1/15/2026 | Members, Families, Advocates, Home Health Agencies (HHAs), Personal Care and Homemaker Provider Agencies, In-Home Support Services (IHSS) Agencies, Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) Stakeholders, Case Management Agencies (CMAs) | Benefits | LTSS Budget Initiative - Implement Weekly Caregiver Limits | Homemaker, CFC, CDASS, IHSS, Direct Care Services, Caregivers, Medicaid Sustainability, LRP | 1/15/2028 | None |
| OM 26-003 | Implementation of Soft Caps on Personal Care, Homemaker, and Health Maintenance Activities (HMA) | 1/15/2026 | Members, Families, Advocates, Home Health Agencies (HHAs), Personal Care and Homemaker Provider Agencies, In-Home Support Services (IHSS) Agencies, Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) Stakeholders, Case Management Agencies (CMAs) | Benefits | LTSS Budget Initiative - Implement a Soft Cap on Certain HCBS Services | Soft Caps, Personal Care, Homemaker, Health Maintenance Activities, CFC, CDASS, IHSS, Direct Care Services, Exception Process, Medicaid Sustainability | 1/15/2028 | None |
| OM 26-002 | Individual Residential Services and Supports (IRSS) Rate Alignment Guidance | 1/15/2026 | Case Mangers, Case Management Agencies, DD Approved Provider Agencies, Residential Providers, Member and Families | HCBS | IRSS | IRSS, Rate Alignment, Staffed Home, Host Home, DD Waiver, Service Authorization, Billing, Primary Caregiver, Sustainability, Shared Living Environment | 4/1/2028 | None |
| OM 26-001 | Direct Care Services Calculator and Age-Appropriate Task Standards | 1/15/2026 | Case Managers, Case Management Agencies, Personal Care Providers, Homemaker Providers, Community First Choice Members, In-Home Support Services (IHSS) Agencies, Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) Members, CDASS Attendants | Benefits | Case Management | Personal Care, Homemaker, Health Maintenance Activities (HMA), In-Home Support Services (IHSS), Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS), Case Managers, Case Management Agency )CMA), Community First Choice (CFC), Direct Care Services Calculator (DCSC), Age-Appropriate Guidelines | 1/15/2028 | None |
2026 Informational Memos
Informational Memo - important information for contracted entities, county partners and external stakeholders that is strictly informational and timely.
| Memo Number | Memo Title | Issue Date | Audience | Topic | Subtopic | Keywords | Expiration Date | Attachment(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM 26-001 | Difficulty of Care and Community First Choice | 1/7/2026 | Provider Agencies, Live-In Caregivers, In-Home Support Services Attendants (IHSS), IHSS Agencies, Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) Attendants, Family Caregivers, Financial Management Services Contractors, Home Care Agencies | HCBS Community First Choice | Difficulty of Care | Difficulty of Care Payments, Community First Choice, Live-in Caregivers | 1/7/2027 | IRS Q&A - Certain Medicaid Waiver Payments May Be Excludable From Income |