BILL NUMBER: SB 785	CHAPTERED  09/09/04

	CHAPTER  389
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 25, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 23, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 17, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 7, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 29, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 16, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JANUARY 12, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 28, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Ortiz

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act to add Section 14016.51 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to Medi-Cal.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 785, Ortiz.  Medi-Cal:  managed health care plan option.
   Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, administered by
the State Department of Health Services, pursuant to which medical
benefits are provided to public assistance recipients and other
low-income persons.
   Existing law requires, at the time Medi-Cal eligibility is
determined or redetermined for an applicant or beneficiary who
resides in an area served by a managed health care plan in which
Medi-Cal beneficiaries may enroll, that a county ensure that the
applicant or beneficiary personally attend a presentation at which
the applicant or beneficiary is informed of the managed care and
fee-for-service options available regarding methods of receiving
Medi-Cal benefits.  Existing law requires, no later than 30 days
following the date that a Medi-Cal beneficiary or applicant is
determined eligible, that the beneficiary or applicant indicate his
or her choice in writing between 2 health care options, as a
condition of coverage for Medi-Cal benefits.
   Existing law permits an applicant for Medi-Cal benefits to apply
by mailing in a simplified application package.  Existing law also
provides for a single point of entry program in which a centralized
processing entity accepts and screens applications for Medi-Cal
benefits for the purpose of forwarding them to the appropriate
counties.
   This bill would require the department, upon the availability of
federal funding, to modify the Medi-Cal mail-in application form, and
other appropriate materials, and the single point-of-entry
application form to allow applicants in counties served by managed
health care plans to contact the enrollment contractor by using the
Health Care Options toll-free telephone number to request and receive
enrollment materials before a Medi-Cal eligibility determination has
been made.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 14016.51 is added to the Welfare and
Institutions Code, to read:
   14016.51.  Upon the availability of federal funding, the
department shall modify the Medi-Cal program mail-in application
form, and other appropriate materials, and the single point-of-entry
application form to allow applicants in counties served by managed
care plans to contact the enrollment contractor by using the Health
Care Options toll-free telephone number to request and receive
enrollment materials before a Medi-Cal eligibility determination has
been made.