Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Housing

Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Housing provides Medi-Cal and D-SNP Members who do not have a residence and who have high medical or behavioral health needs with the opportunity to continue their medical/psychiatric/substance use disorder recovery immediately after exiting an institution. 

Short-Term Post-Hospitalization Housing provides individuals with ongoing supports necessary for recuperation and recovery such as gaining (or regaining) the ability to perform activities of daily living, receiving necessary medical/psychiatric/substance use disorder care, case management, and beginning to access other housing supports such as Housing Transition Navigation.

What is an institution?

An institution is defined as:

  • Inpatient hospitals (either acute or psychiatric or Chemical Dependency and Recovery hospital)
  • Residential substance use disorder treatment or recovery facility
  • Residential mental health treatment facility 
  • Correctional facility
  • Nursing facility
  • Recuperative care

Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify, Members must:

1.    Member is enrolled in L.A. Care Medi-Cal or DSNP
2.    Member must be exiting an institution, AND
3.    Member is receiving Enhanced Care Management, or has one or more serious chronic conditions and/or serious mental illness and/or is at risk of institutionalization or requiring residential services as a result of a substance use disorder, AND
4.    Member must be homeless or at-risk of homelessness 

In addition to meeting one of these criteria at a minimum, individuals must have medical/behavioral health needs such that experiencing homelessness upon discharge from the hospital, substance use or mental health treatment facility, correctional facility, nursing facility, or recuperative care would likely result in hospitalization, re­hospitalization, or institutional readmission.

Providers must ensure to the best of their knowledge that the member meets the level of care criteria for STPH and does not require a higher level of care that cannot be met by STPH placement. Please note each STPH facility may have their own eligibility criteria. Referring parties must check the eligibility and exclusion criteria for the respective STPH facility

Restrictions and Limitations

  • Short-Term Post-Hospitalization services are available once in an individual’s lifetime and are not to exceed a duration of 180 days to use within 1 calendar year (but may be authorized for a shorter period based on individual needs). 

  • The service is only available if enrollee is unable to meet such an expense.

  • Community Supports shall supplement and not supplant services received by the Medi-Cal beneficiary through other State, local, or federally-funded programs, in accordance with the CalAIM STCs and federal and DHCS guidance.

Who can refer a Member for Short Term Post-Hospitalization Housing?

Referral Process

  • Providers can access the Short Term Post-Hospitalization referral form on the L.A. Care website.
  • Complete the referral form and submit it via secure fax 213.536.0634
  • Use the L.A. Care online provider directory to find an L.A. Care contracted STPH provider.

Short Term Post Hospitalization Prior Authorization Request