CalAIM Section 1115 Waiver Expires December 2026 — $1.2B/Year at Stake
The CalAIM waiver authorizing Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports expires December 31, 2026. DHCS formally submitted its 1115 renewal to CMS on May 11, 2026 (CMS approval pending; ECM and most Community Supports also continue under standalone managed-care authority regardless of waiver timing).
Without renewal of the 1115-dependent services, an estimated $1.2 billion annually in ECM/Community Supports funding is at risk — threatening thousands of care coordination, CHW, and housing navigator positions at FQHCs statewide.
Key takeaways
- CalAIM waiver expires December 31, 2026 — renewal submitted May 11, 2026, with $1.2B/year in 1115-dependent services still at risk pending CMS approval
- Thousands of care coordination, CHW, and housing navigator positions threatened
- Action: build ECM caseload NOW while the waiver is active
Primary source
CA DHCSSource packet
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FQHC Talent. (2026, December 31). CalAIM Section 1115 Waiver Expires December 2026 — $1.2B/Year at Stake. Primary source: CA DHCS. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/calaim-waiver-expiry
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