DHCS seeks feedback on draft removal of mandatory PSC-35 assessment and reporting
Oct 18, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0424 · Published 2026-10-18 · Version 1 · Draft
DHCS’s October 15 draft proposes ending mandatory PSC-35 administration and corresponding FAST submissions, while preserving assessment-tool choices. Feedback is requested by November 3. The file retains draft markings, notice-number inconsistencies and an unspecified effective date, so current workflows should not be stopped on this evidence.
What happened
DHCS posted an October 15 draft proposing to remove the requirement for Behavioral Health Plans and their network providers to administer the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-35) and submit the corresponding data through the Functional Assessment Screening Tool (FAST) platform. The official 2026 BHIN index requests feedback by November 3, 2026. The three-page file is watermarked DRAFT, identifies itself on the first page as BHIN 26-XXX and leaves the effective date as XXX; its later running headers use different notice numbers. This is a consultation proposal, not an operative repeal or a confirmed date for stopping current assessment and reporting workflows.
The draft links the proposed change to alignment around the Integrated Practice Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) tool. It describes the Early Childhood module as meeting the functional-assessment requirement for children ages zero through five, while further IP-CANS requirements are referenced through notice-number placeholders. It would supersede MHSUDS IN 17-052 and 18-048 only in part. A footnote preserves the option for plans or providers to continue PSC-35 voluntarily to support care, with attention to benefits, burdens and avoiding duplicative assessment and data collection. Those qualifications distinguish removing a mandatory PSC-35/FAST requirement from banning the tool or eliminating the broader functional-assessment process.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Draft
- Applicability
- Operationally relevant
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
- Affected functions
- Clinical Operations, Managed Care, Quality, IT
- Responsible owner
- Clinical Operations
- Recorded date
- 2026-11-03
- Date type
- comment
Why it matters
Behavioral health plans need to separate a consultation opportunity from implementation authority and assess how a final change would affect assessment burden, care coordination and reporting.
Recommended action
Suggested internal action: Clinical Operations and the behavioral health plan policy team should review the proposed PSC-35/FAST change, document operational feedback for the November 3 consultation, and retain current requirements until the authoritative final notice and effective date are confirmed.
Implementation playbook
- Suggested: inventory the current PSC-35 assessment and FAST submission workflow and map any proposed changes without disabling existing requirements. Clinical Operations
- Suggested: prepare internal feedback on assessment burden, voluntary tool use and care coordination before the index-listed comment date. Managed Care · Due 2026-11-03
- Suggested: track an authoritative final notice and explicit effective date before changing clinical or reporting systems. Compliance
Sources
- Draft BHIN: Removal of the PSC-35 Administration RequirementOfficial · California DHCS / CDSS · 2026-10-15
- DHCS 2026 Behavioral Health Information Notices indexOfficial · California DHCS / CDSS
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