About thirty-five thousand elderly and disabled adults were preparing for the elimination of Medi-Cal funded services starting December 1st.
But a federal court settlement has changed that, and created a new program called Community Based Adult Services or CBAS, for the most disabled and medically needy.
Norman Williams of the California Department of Health Care Services expects half of those in adult day health care centers will qualify.
He says the rest will be offered case management to help vulnerable adults find other services.
WILLIAMS: "You can look for things like increased in home supportive services. There are a number of services that will be available to this population. And all of them are dedicated to helping them remain independent in the community."
Lydia Missaelides of the California Association for Adult Day Services is relieved that community based services have not been cut altogether.
She says managed care models can work, but she worries that people not eligible for the new CBAS program will be left out.
MISSAELIDES: "It's still more challenging to put together four or five or six different services along with transportation, than it is to come to one place where all the services are all combined in one setting."
The new Medi-Cal funded CBAS program will begin March 1st. Current adult day health care providers can apply to be part of CBAS, but Missaelides expects some centers will have to close.