PCG is excited to have representatives from multiple teams attending this year’s Medicaid Enterprise Systems Conference (MESC). Nicole Alonzo, Director of Technology Consulting, shared some insights about current needs for Medicaid services that she and PCG’s Technology Consulting are looking forward to discussing with colleagues at the conference.

What’s a current project your team is working on that you are excited about?

PCG supports the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) by providing enterprise project and portfolio management services across one of the nation’s largest Medicaid enterprise portfolios. Our team establishes and operates portfolio governance, project intake and prioritization processes, executive reporting, risk and dependency management, resource planning, and cross-program coordination to help DHCS align investments with strategic, regulatory, and funding objectives.

Through this work, PCG has helped DHCS strengthen enterprise visibility into project performance, risks, resource constraints, and cross-program dependencies; improve executive decision-making and portfolio prioritization; reduce fragmentation across initiatives; and enhance alignment with federal requirements, including MITA, CMS certification, and Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) standards. Our portfolio oversight enables DHCS leadership to more effectively sequence initiatives, proactively address risks and conflicts, and manage the Medicaid enterprise as a coordinated portfolio rather than a collection of individual projects.

How has the shift toward digital tools reshaped Medicaid services, and what infrastructure and supports are most critical for agencies to adapt?

The shift toward digital tools has transformed California’s Medi-Cal program, for example, by enabling more coordinated, data-driven, and person-centered care through initiatives such as CalAIM. This integrates physical health, behavioral health, and social service supports for service delivery and reporting visibility. To achieve full program transparency and compliance, agencies need strong interoperability and data-sharing infrastructure, modern analytics capabilities, and secure platforms that connect providers, managed care plans, and community organizations. Equally important are workforce training that enables users to leverage these new tools, change-management support to encourage adoption, and technical assistance to help staff and partners effectively use new digital tools and care-coordination models.

Together, these investments can help agencies improve access, reduce fragmentation, and deliver more equitable outcomes for Medi-Cal members.

In what ways are states creatively leveraging digital tools and resources to administer Medicaid programs? 

One great example of this in California is the PATH initiative, which PCG is supporting with development and operational support. The state is building infrastructure that allows health plans, providers, counties, and community-based organizations to exchange information electronically, reducing silos between medical, behavioral health, and HCBS services. California is investing in technology infrastructure, workforce development, and technical assistance so providers and community organizations can participate effectively in integrated care delivery.

Additionally, DHCS is one of the first state Medicaid agencies to leverage Microsoft government platform AI (Copilot) to speed delivery of work in a safe and secure way to increase output of existing teams without adding headcount or adding expensive, custom software models.

What are you looking forward to most at this year’s MESC in Portland, OR? 

I’m sure there are some more great stories about innovations and efficiencies – I’m excited to meet up with clients and colleagues and learn more!

Learn more about this work:

See more recent insights from Nicole Alonzo here: Using Standalone Support Services APDs to Advance MITA-Aligned Medicaid Enterprise Modernization