SB 1, as amended, Hernandez. Medi-Cal: eligibility.
Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid Program provisions.
This bill would, commencing January 1, 2014, implement various provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), as amended, by, among other things, modifying provisions relating to determining eligibility for certain groups. The bill would, in this regard, extend Medi-Cal eligibility to specifiedbegin delete adults andend delete former foster childrenbegin delete and would require that income eligibility be determined based on modified adjusted gross
income (MAGI), as prescribed. The bill would prohibit the use of an asset or resources test for individuals whose financial eligibility for Medi-Cal is determined based on the application of MAGIend delete. The bill would also add, commencing January 1, 2014,begin delete benefits, services, and coverageend deletebegin insert mental health services and substance use disorder servicesend insert included in the essential health benefits package, as adopted by the state and approved by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the schedule of Medi-Calbegin delete benefits.end deletebegin insert benefits, as specified. The bill would require the department to seek approval from the United States Secretary of Health and
Human Services to provide, effective January 1, 2014, specified individuals with an alternative benefit package, which would provide the same schedule of benefits provided to full-scope Medi-Cal beneficiaries qualifying under the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) income standard, except as specified. The bill would provide that the implementation of the optional expansion of Medi-Cal benefits to adults who meet specified eligibility requirements shall be contingent on the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) payable to the state under the Affordable Care Act not being reduced to specified percentages, as specified.end insert
Because counties are required to make Medi-Cal eligibility determinations and this bill would expand Medi-Cal eligibility, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would require that a person who wishes to apply for an insurance affordability program, as defined, be allowed to file an application on his or her own behalf or on behalf of his or her family and would authorize a person to be accompanied, assisted, and represented in the application and renewal process by an individual or organization of his or her choice. This bill would also require the department, to the extent required by federal law, to provide assistance to any applicant or beneficiary who requests help with the application or redetermination. begin insertThe bill would require the department to file a state plan amendment to exercise a federal option to allow beneficiaries to use projected annual household income and to allow applicants and beneficiaries to use reasonably predictable annual income, as specified.end insert
The bill would require the California Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) to implement a workflow transfer protocol, as prescribed, for persons calling the customer service center operated by the Exchange for the purpose of applying for an insurance affordability program, to ascertain which individuals are potentially eligible for Medi-Cal. This bill would also prescribe the authority the department, the Exchange, and the counties would have, until July 1, 2015, to perform Medi-Cal eligibility determinations.
end deleteThis bill would require the department to seek any federal waivers necessary to use eligibility information of certain individuals who have been determined eligible for the CalFresh program to determine their eligibility for Medi-Cal and to automatically enroll parents who apply for Medi-Cal who have one or more children who are eligible based on determined income level at or below a specified standard. The bill would authorize the department to seek any federal waivers or state plan amendments necessary to use the eligibility information of individuals determined eligible for other state-only funded health care programs and county general assistance programs to determine an applicant’s Medi-Cal eligibility to the extent that there is no General Fund impact.
end insertbegin insertThis bill would require the department to provide Medi-Cal benefits during the presumptive eligibility period to individuals who have been determined eligible on the basis of preliminary information by a qualified hospital, as specified.
end insertExisting law requires the department to adopt regulations for use by the county in determining whether an applicant is a resident of the state and of the county, subject to the requirements of federal law. Existing law requires that the regulations require that state residency be established only if certain requirements are met, including the requirement that the applicant makes specified declarations under penalty of perjury.
This bill would revise those provisions to, among other things, further prescribe the circumstances under which state residency may be established and to require the department to electronically verify an individual’s state residency using certain sources and would set forth how an individual may establish state residency if the department is unable to electronically verify his or her state residency. The bill would, for purposes of establishing state residency, authorize an individual to make various declarations under penalty of perjury, and would authorize other individuals, such as parents or legal guardians, to make various declarations under penalty of perjury regarding the individual’s state residency if the individual is incapable of indicating intent. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires Medi-Cal beneficiaries, with some exceptions, to file semiannual status reports to ensure that beneficiaries make timely and accurate reports of any change in circumstance that may affect their eligibility and requires, with some exceptions, a county to promptly redetermine eligibility whenever a county receives information about changes in a beneficiary’s circumstances that may affect eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.
end deleteThis bill would, commencing January 1, 2014, revise these provisions to, among other things, delete the semiannual status report requirement and require a county to perform redeterminations every 12 months. The bill would require any forms signed by the beneficiary for purposes of redetermining eligibility to be signed under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
end deleteThis bill would provide that any individual who is 21 years of age or older, does not have minor children eligible for Medi-Cal benefits, would be eligible for Medi-Cal benefits but for a specified five-year eligibility limitation, and who is enrolled in and covered through the California Health Benefit Exchange with an advanced premium tax credit shall be eligible for specified Medi-Cal benefits and insurance premium costs and cost-sharing charges paid by the department, as specified.
end insertbegin insertUnder existing law, one of the ways by which Medi-Cal services are provided is pursuant to contracts with various types of managed care plans.
end insertbegin insertThis bill would require Medi-Cal managed care plans to provide mental health benefits covered by the state plan, as prescribed.
end insertThe California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
begin insertThis bill would become operative only if AB 1 of the First Extraordinary Session is enacted and takes effect.
end insertVote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2following:
3(a) The United States is the only industrialized country in the
4world without a universal health insurance system.
5(b) (1) In 2006, the United States Census reported that 46
6million Americans did not have health insurance.
7(2) In California in 2009, according to the UCLA Center for
8Health Policy Research’s “The State of Health Insurance in
9California: Findings from the 2009 California Health Interview
10Survey,” 7.1 million Californians were uninsured in 2009,
11amounting to 21.1 percent of nonelderly Californians who had no
12health
insurance coverage for all or some of 2009, up nearly 2
13percentage points from 2007.
14(c) On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient
15Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), which
16was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation
17Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and together are referred to as
18the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act).
19(d) The Affordable Care Act is the culmination of decades of
20movement toward health reform, and is the most fundamental
21legislative transformation of the United States health care system
22in 40 years.
23(e) As a result of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act,
24according to estimates by the UCLA Center for Health Policy
25Research and the UC Berkeley Labor Center, using the California
26Simulation of Insurance Markets, in 2019, after the
Affordable
27Care Act is fully implemented:
28(1) Between 89 and 92 percent of Californians under 65 years
29of age will have health coverage.
P6 1(2) Between 1.2 and 1.6 million individuals will be newly
2enrolled in Medi-Cal.
3(f) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure full implementation
4of the Affordable Care Act, including the Medi-Cal expansion for
5individuals with incomes below 133 percent of the federal poverty
6level, so that millions of uninsured Californians can receive health
7care coverage.
Section 12698.30 of the Insurance Code is amended
9to read:
(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), at a minimum,
11coverage shall be provided to subscribers during one pregnancy,
12and for 60 days thereafter, and to children less than two years of
13age who were born of a pregnancy covered under this program to
14a woman enrolled in the program before July 1, 2004.
15(2) Commencing January 1, 2014, at a minimum, coverage shall
16be provided to subscribers during one pregnancy, and until the end
17of the month in which the 60th day thereafter occurs, and to
18children less than two years of age who were born of a pregnancy
19covered under this program to a woman enrolled in the program
20before July 1, 2004.
21(b) Coverage
provided pursuant to this part shall include, at a
22minimum, those services required to be provided by health care
23service plans approved by the United States Secretary of Health
24and Human Services as a federally qualified health care service
25plan pursuant to Section 417.101 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal
26Regulations.
27(c) Coverage shall include health education services related to
28tobacco use.
29(d) Medically necessary prescription drugs shall be a required
30benefit in the coverage provided under this part.
begin insertSection 11026 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert is
32amended to read:end insert
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
34State Department of Social Services and the State Department of
35Healthbegin insert Careend insert Services shall annually inform the Franchise Tax
36Board of the names and social security numbers of all applicants
37or recipients of public social services or public assistance programs.
38The Franchise Tax Board, upon receipt of that information, shall
39furnish to the departments the information required by Section
40begin delete 19286.7end deletebegin insert 19555end insert of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
P7 1(b) This section shall be implemented only to the extent it is
2funded in the annual Budget Act.
Section 14000.7 is added to the Welfare and
4Institutions Code, to read:
(a) The department shall provide assistance to any
6applicant or beneficiary that requests help with the application or
7redetermination process to the extent required by federal law.
8(b) The assistance provided under subdivision (a) shall be
9available to the individual in person, over the telephone, and online,
10and in a manner that is accessible to individuals with disabilities
11and those who have limited English proficiency.
12(c) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5
13(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
142 of the Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency
15regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
16The department
may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
17pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
18department, of regulations implementing this section shall be
19deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
20to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
21of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
22the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
23describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
24review by the Office of Administrative Law.
25(d) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
26that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
27federal approvals have been obtained.
28(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.18 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
30 is amended to read:
(a) A woman is eligible, to the extent required by
32federal law, as though she were pregnant, for all pregnancy-related
33and postpartum services for a 60-day period beginning on the last
34day of pregnancy.
35For purposes of this section, “postpartum services” means those
36services provided after childbirth, child delivery, or miscarriage.
37(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
38and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
39is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14005.18 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
2Code, to read:
(a) To help prevent premature delivery and low
4birth weights, the leading causes of infant and maternal morbidity
5and mortality, and to promote women’s overall health, well-being,
6and financial security and that of their families, it is imperative
7that pregnant women enrolled in Medi-Cal be provided with all
8medically necessary services. Therefore, a woman is eligible, to
9the extent required by federal law, as though she were pregnant,
10for all pregnancy-related and postpartum services for a period
11beginning on the last day of pregnancy and continuing until the
12end of the month in which the 60th day of postpartum occurs.
13(b) For purposes of this section,
the following definitions shall
14apply:
15(1) “Pregnancy-related services” means, at a minimum, all
16services required under the state plan.
17(2) “Postpartum services” means those services provided after
18childbirth, child delivery, or miscarriage.
19(c) This section shall become operative January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.28 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
22 is amended to read:
(a) To the extent federal financial participation is
24available pursuant to an approved state plan amendment, the
25department shall exercise its option under Section
261902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII) of the federal Social Security Act (42
27U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII)) to extend Medi-Cal benefits
28to independent foster care adolescents, as defined in Section
291905(w)(1) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
301396d(w)(1)).
31(b) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3211340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
33and if the state plan amendment described in subdivision (a) is
34approved by the federal Health Care Financing Administration,
35the department may implement subdivision (a)
without taking any
36regulatory action and by means of all-county letters or similar
37instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in
38accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing
39with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
40Government Code.
P9 1(c) The department shall implement subdivision (a) on October
21, 2000, but only if, and to the extent that, the department has
3obtained all necessary federal approvals.
4(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
5and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
6is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14005.28 is added to the Welfare and
9Institutions Code, to read:
(a) To the extent federal financial participation is
11available pursuant to an approved state plan amendment, the
12department shall implement Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the
13federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX))
14to provide Medi-Cal benefits to an individual who is in foster care
15on his or her 18th birthday until his or her 26th birthday. In
16addition, the department shall implement thebegin insert federalend insert optionbegin delete in to provide Medi-Cal benefits to
17paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 435.150 of Title 42 of
18the Code of Federal Regulationsend delete
19individualsbegin delete thatend deletebegin insert
whoend insert were in foster care and enrolled in Medicaid
20in any state.
21(1) A foster care adolescent who is in foster carebegin insert in this stateend insert
22 on his or her 18th birthday shall be enrolled to receive benefits
23under this section without any interruption in coverage and without
24requiring a new application.
25(2) The department shall develop procedures to identify and
26enroll individuals who meet the criteria for Medi-Cal eligibility
27in this subdivision, including, but not limited to, former foster care
28adolescents who were in foster care on their 18th birthday and who
29lost Medi-Cal coverage as a result of attaining 21 years of age.
30The department shall work with counties to identify and conduct
31outreach to former foster care adolescents who lost Medi-Cal
32
coverage during the 2013 calendar year as a result of attaining 21
33years of age, to ensure they are aware of the ability to reenroll
34under the coverage provided pursuant to this section.
35(3) (A) The department shall develop and implement a
36simplified redetermination form for this program. A beneficiary
37qualifying for the benefits extended pursuant to this section shall
38fill out and return this form only if information known to the
39department is no longer accurate or is materially incomplete.
P10 1(B) The department shall seek federal approval to institute a
2renewal process that allows a beneficiary receiving benefits under
3this section to remain on Medi-Cal after a redetermination form
4is returned as undeliverable and the county is otherwise unable to
5establish contact. If federal approval is granted, the recipient shall
6remain eligible for services under the
Medi-Cal fee-for-service
7program until the time contact is reestablished or ineligibility is
8established, and to the extent federal financial participation is
9available.
10(C) The department shall terminate eligibility only after it
11determines that the recipient is no longer eligible and all due
12process requirements are met in accordance with state and federal
13law.
14(b) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
15that federal financial participation is available.
16(c) This section shall become operative January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.30 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
18 is amended to read:
(a) (1) To the extent that federal financial
20participation is available, Medi-Cal benefits under this chapter
21shall be provided to individuals eligible for services under Section
221396u-1 of Title 42 of the United States Code, including any
23options under Section 1396u-1(b)(2)(C) made available to and
24exercised by the state.
25(2) The department shall exercise its option under Section
261396u-1(b)(2)(C) of Title 42 of the United States Code to adopt
27less restrictive income and resource eligibility standards and
28methodologies to the extent necessary to allow all recipients of
29benefits under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) to be
30eligible for Medi-Cal under paragraph (1).
31(3) To the extent federal financial participation is available, the
32department shall exercise its option under Section 1396u-1(b)(2)(C)
33of Title 42 of the United States Code authorizing the state to
34disregard all changes in income or assets of a beneficiary until the
35next annual redetermination under Section 14012. The department
36shall implement this paragraph only if, and to the extent that the
37State Child Health Insurance Program waiver described in Section
3812693.755 of the Insurance Code extending Healthy Families
39Program eligibility to parents and certain other adults is approved
40and implemented.
P11 1(b) To the extent that federal financial participation is available,
2the department shall exercise its option under Section
31396u-1(b)(2)(C) of Title 42 of the United States Code as necessary
4to expand eligibility for Medi-Cal under subdivision (a) by
5establishing the amount of countable
resources individuals or
6families are allowed to retain at the same amount medically needy
7individuals and families are allowed to retain, except that a family
8of one shall be allowed to retain countable resources in the amount
9of three thousand dollars ($3,000).
10(c) To the extent federal financial participation is available, the
11department shall, commencing March 1, 2000, adopt an income
12disregard for applicants equal to the difference between the income
13standard under the program adopted pursuant to Section 1931(b)
14of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396u-1) and
15the amount equal to 100 percent of the federal poverty level
16applicable to the size of the family. A recipient shall be entitled
17to the same disregard, but only to the extent it is more beneficial
18than, and is substituted for, the earned income disregard available
19to recipients.
20(d) For purposes of
calculating income under this section during
21any calendar year, increases in social security benefit payments
22under Title II of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
23401 et seq.) arising from cost-of-living adjustments shall be
24disregarded commencing in the month that these social security
25benefit payments are increased by the cost-of-living adjustment
26through the month before the month in which a change in the
27federal poverty level requires the department to modify the income
28disregard pursuant to subdivision (c) and in which new income
29limits for the program established by this section are adopted by
30the department.
31(e) Subdivision (b) shall be applied retroactively to January 1,
321998.
33(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3411340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
35the department shall implement, without taking regulatory action,
36subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section by means of an all-county
37letter or similar instruction. Thereafter, the department shall adopt
38regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5
39(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
402 of the Government Code.
P12 1(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
2and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
3is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that
date.
Section 14005.30 is added to the Welfare and
5Institutions Code, to read:
(a) (1) To the extent that federal financial
7participation is available, Medi-Cal benefits under this chapter
8shall be provided to individuals eligible for services under Section
91396u-1 of Title 42 of the United States Code, known as the
10Section 1931(b) program, including any options under Section
111396u-1(b)(2)(C) made available to and exercised by the state.
12(2) The department shall exercise its option under Section
131396u-1(b)(2)(C) of Title 42 of the United States Code to adopt
14less restrictive income and resource eligibility standards and
15methodologies to the extent necessary to allow all recipients of
16benefits under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) to be
17eligible for Medi-Cal under paragraph (1).
18(b) Commencing January 1, 2014, pursuant to Section
191396a(e)(14)(C) of Title 42 of the United States Code, there shall
20be no assets test and no deprivation test for any individual under
21this section.
22(c) For purposes of calculating income under this section during
23any calendar year, increases in social security benefit payments
24under Title II of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
25401 et seq.) arising from cost-of-living adjustments shall be
26disregarded commencing in the month that these social security
27benefit payments are increased by the cost-of-living adjustment
28through the month before the month in which a change in the
29federal poverty level requires the department to modify the income
30disregard pursuant to subdivision (c) and in which new income
31limits for the program established by this section are adopted by
32the department.
33(d) This section shall become operative January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.31 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
36 is amended to read:
(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), for any person
38whose eligibility for benefits under Section 14005.30 has been
39determined with a concurrent determination of eligibility for cash
40aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200), loss of
P13 1eligibility or termination of cash aid under Chapter 2 (commencing
2with Section 11200) shall not result in a loss of eligibility or
3termination of benefits under Section 14005.30 absent the existence
4of a factor that would result in loss of eligibility for benefits under
5Section 14005.30 for a person whose eligibility under Section
614005.30 was determined without a concurrent determination of
7eligibility for benefits under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
811200).
9(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a person whose eligibility
10would otherwise be terminated pursuant to that paragraph shall
11not have his or her eligibility terminated until the transfer
12procedures set forth in Section 14005.32 or the redetermination
13procedures set forth in Section 14005.37 and all due process
14requirements have been met.
15(b) The department, in consultation with the counties and
16representatives of consumers, managed care plans, and Medi-Cal
17providers, shall prepare a simple, clear, consumer-friendly notice
18to be used by the counties, to inform Medi-Cal beneficiaries whose
19eligibility for cash aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
2011200) has ended, but whose eligibility for benefits under Section
2114005.30 continues pursuant to subdivision (a), that their benefits
22will continue. To the extent feasible, the notice shall be sent out
23at the same time as the notice of discontinuation of cash aid, and
24shall include
all of the following:
25(1) A statement that Medi-Cal benefits will continue even though
26cash aid under the CalWORKs program has been terminated.
27(2) A statement that continued receipt of Medi-Cal benefits will
28not be counted against any time limits in existence for receipt of
29cash aid under the CalWORKs program.
30(3) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary does not need to
31fill out monthly status reports in order to remain eligible for
32Medi-Cal, but shall be required to submit a semiannual status report
33and annual reaffirmation forms. The notice shall remind individuals
34whose cash aid ended under the CalWORKs program as a result
35of not submitting a status report that he or she should review his
36or her circumstances to determine if changes have occurred that
37should be reported to the Medi-Cal eligibility worker.
38(4) A statement describing the responsibility of the Medi-Cal
39beneficiary to report to the county, within 10 days, significant
40changes that may affect eligibility.
P14 1(5) A telephone number to call for more information.
2(6) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary’s eligibility
3worker will not change, or, if the case has been reassigned, the
4new worker’s name, address, and telephone number, and the hours
5during which the county’s eligibility workers can be contacted.
6(c) This section shall be implemented on or before July 1, 2001,
7but only to the extent that federal financial participation under
8Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396
9et seq.) is available.
10(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
1111340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
12the department shall, without taking any regulatory action,
13implement this section by means of all-county letters or similar
14instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in
15accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing
16with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
17Government Code. Comprehensive implementing instructions
18shall be issued to the counties no later than March 1, 2001.
19(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
20and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
21is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14005.31 is added to the Welfare and
24Institutions Code, to read:
(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), for any person
26whose eligibility for benefits under Section 14005.30 has been
27determined with a concurrent determination of eligibility for cash
28aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200), loss of
29eligibility or termination of cash aid under Chapter 2 (commencing
30with Section 11200) shall not result in a loss of eligibility or
31termination of benefits under Section 14005.30 absent the existence
32of a factor that would result in loss of eligibility for benefits under
33Section 14005.30 for a person whose eligibility under Section
3414005.30 was determined without a concurrent determination of
35eligibility for benefits under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
3611200).
37(2) Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), a person whose eligibility
38would otherwise be terminated pursuant to that paragraph shall
39not have his or her eligibility terminated until the transfer
40procedures set forth in Section 14005.32 or the redetermination
P15 1procedures set forth in Section 14005.37 and all due process
2requirements have been met.
3(b) The department, in consultation with the counties and
4representatives of consumers, managed care plans, and Medi-Cal
5providers, shall prepare a simple, clear, consumer-friendly notice
6to be used by the counties to inform Medi-Cal beneficiaries whose
7eligibility for cash aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section
811200) has ended, but whose eligibility for benefits under Section
914005.30 continues pursuant to subdivision (a), that their benefits
10will continue. To the extent feasible, the notice shall be sent out
11at the same time as the notice of discontinuation of cash aid, and
12shall include all of the following:
13(1) A statement that Medi-Cal benefits will continue even though
14cash aid under the CalWORKs program has been terminated.
15(2) A statement that continued receipt of Medi-Cal benefits will
16not be counted against any time limits in existence for receipt of
17cash aid under the CalWORKs program.
18(3) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary does not need to
19fill out monthly status reports in order to remain eligible for
20Medi-Cal, but may be required to submit annual reaffirmation
21forms. The notice shall remind individuals whose cash aid ended
22under the CalWORKs program as a result of not submitting a status
23report that he or she should review his or her circumstances to
24determine if changes have occurred that should be reported to the
25Medi-Cal eligibility worker.
26(4) A statement describing the responsibility of the Medi-Cal
27beneficiary to report to the county, within 10 days, significant
28changes that may affect eligibility.
29(5) A telephone number to call for more information.
30(6) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary’s eligibility
31worker will not change, or, if the case has been reassigned, the
32new worker’s name, address, and telephone number, and the hours
33during which the county’s eligibility workers can be contacted.
34(c) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
35federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social
36Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) is available.
37(c)
end delete
38begin insert(end insertbegin insertd)end insert Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3911340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
40the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
P16 1implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of
2all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar
3instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the
4department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the
5requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
6Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
7six months after the effective date of this section,begin insert end insertbegin insertand
8
notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code,end insert the
9department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a
10semiannual basis until regulations have been adopted.
11(d)
end delete12begin insert(end insertbegin inserte)end insert This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.32 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
15 is amended to read:
(a) (1) If the county has evidence clearly
17demonstrating that a beneficiary is not eligible for benefits under
18this chapter pursuant to Section 14005.30, but is eligible for
19benefits under this chapter pursuant to other provisions of law, the
20county shall transfer the individual to the corresponding Medi-Cal
21program. Eligibility under Section 14005.30 shall continue until
22the transfer is complete.
23(2) The department, in consultation with the counties and
24representatives of consumers, managed care plans, and Medi-Cal
25providers, shall prepare a simple, clear, consumer-friendly notice
26to be used by the counties, to inform beneficiaries that their
27Medi-Cal benefits have been transferred pursuant to
paragraph (1)
28and to inform them about the program to which they have been
29transferred. To the extent feasible, the notice shall be issued with
30the notice of discontinuance from cash aid, and shall include all
31of the following:
32(A) A statement that Medi-Cal benefits will continue under
33another program, even though aid under Chapter 2 (commencing
34with Section 11200) has been terminated.
35(B) The name of the program under which benefits will continue,
36and an explanation of that program.
37(C) A statement that continued receipt of Medi-Cal benefits will
38not be counted against any time limits in existence for receipt of
39cash aid under the CalWORKs program.
P17 1(D) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary does not need to
2fill out monthly status reports in order
to remain eligible for
3Medi-Cal, but shall be required to submit a semiannual status report
4and annual reaffirmation forms. In addition, if the person or persons
5to whom the notice is directed has been found eligible for
6transitional Medi-Cal as described in Section 14005.8 or 14005.85,
7the statement shall explain the reporting requirements and duration
8of benefits under those programs, and shall further explain that,
9at the end of the duration of these benefits, a redetermination, as
10provided for in Section 14005.37 shall be conducted to determine
11whether benefits are available under any other provision of law.
12(E) A statement describing the beneficiary’s responsibility to
13report to the county, within 10 days, significant changes that may
14affect eligibility or share of cost.
15(F) A telephone number to call for more information.
16(G) A statement that the beneficiary’s eligibility worker will
17not change, or, if the case has been reassigned, the new worker’s
18name, address, and telephone number, and the hours during which
19the county’s Medi-Cal eligibility workers can be contacted.
20(b) No later than September 1, 2001, the department shall submit
21a federal waiver application seeking authority to eliminate the
22reporting requirements imposed by transitional Medicaid under
23Section 1925 of the federal Social Security Act (Title 42 U.S.C.
24Sec. 1396r-6).
25(c) This section shall be implemented on or before July 1, 2001,
26but only to the extent that federal financial participation under
27Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396
28et seq.) is available.
29(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3011340) of Part
1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
31the department shall, without taking any regulatory action,
32implement this section by means of all-county letters or similar
33instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in
34accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing
35with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
36Government Code. Comprehensive implementing instructions
37shall be issued to the counties no later than March 1, 2001.
38(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
39and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
40is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14005.32 is added to the Welfare and
3Institutions Code, to read:
(a) (1) If the county has evidence clearly
5demonstrating that a beneficiary is not eligible for benefits under
6this chapter pursuant to Section 14005.30, but is eligible for
7benefits under this chapter pursuant to other provisions of law, the
8county shall transfer the individual to the corresponding Medi-Cal
9program in conformity with and subject to the requirements of
10Section 14005.37. Eligibility under Section 14005.30 shall continue
11until the transfer is complete.
12(2) The department, in consultation with the counties and
13representatives of consumers, managed care plans, and Medi-Cal
14providers, shall prepare a simple, clear, consumer-friendly notice
15to be used by the counties to inform beneficiaries that their
16Medi-Cal
benefits have been transferred pursuant to paragraph (1)
17and to inform them about the program to which they have been
18transferred. To the extent feasible, the notice shall be issued with
19the notice of discontinuance from cash aid, and shall include all
20of the following:
21(A) A statement that Medi-Cal benefits will continue under
22another program, even though aid under Chapter 2 (commencing
23with Section 11200) has been terminated.
24(B) The name of the program under which benefits will continue
25and an explanation of that program.
26(C) A statement that continued receipt of Medi-Cal benefits will
27not be counted against any time limits in existence for receipt of
28cash aid under the CalWORKs program.
29(D) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary does not need to
30
fill out monthly status reports in order to remain eligible for
31Medi-Cal, but may be required to submit annual reaffirmation
32forms. In addition, if the person or persons to whom the notice is
33directed has been found eligible for transitional Medi-Cal as
34described in Section 14005.8 or 14005.85, the statement shall
35explain the reporting requirements and duration of benefits under
36those programs and shall further explain that, at the end of the
37duration of these benefits, a redetermination, as provided in Section
3814005.37, shall be conducted to determine whether benefits are
39available under any other law.
P19 1(E) A statement describing the beneficiary’s responsibility to
2report to the county, within 10 days, significant changes that may
3affect eligibility or share of cost.
4(F) A telephone number to call for more information.
5(G) A statement that the beneficiary’s eligibility worker will
6not change, or, if the case has been reassigned, the new worker’s
7name, address, and telephone number, and the hours during which
8the county’s Medi-Cal eligibility workers can be contacted.
9(c) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
10federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social
11Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) is available.
12(b)
end delete
13begin insert(end insertbegin insertd)end insert Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
1411340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
15the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
16implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of
17all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar
18instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the
19department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the
20requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
21Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
22six months after the effective date of this section,begin insert end insertbegin insertand
23notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code,end insert the
24department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a
25semiannual basis until
regulations have been adopted.
26(c)
end delete27begin insert(end insertbegin inserte)end insert This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.36 of the Welfare and Institutions
29Code is amended to read:
(a) The county shall undertake outreach efforts to
31beneficiaries receiving benefits under this chapter, in order to
32maintain the most up-to-date home addresses, telephone numbers,
33and other necessary contact information, and to encourage and
34assist with timely submission of the annual reaffirmation form,
35and, when applicable, transitional Medi-Cal program reporting
36forms and to facilitate the Medi-Cal redetermination process when
37one is required as provided in Section 14005.37. In implementing
38this subdivision, a county may collaborate with community-based
39organizations, provided that confidentiality is protected.
P20 1(b) The department shall encourage and facilitate efforts by
2managed care plans to report updated beneficiary
contact
3information to counties.
4(c) The department and each county shall incorporate, in a timely
5manner, updated contact information received from managed care
6plans pursuant to subdivision (b) into the beneficiary’s Medi-Cal
7case file and into all systems used to inform plans of their
8beneficiaries’ enrollee status. Updated Medi-Cal beneficiary contact
9information shall be limited to the beneficiary’s telephone number,
10change of address information, and change of name. The county
11shall attempt to verify that the information it receives from the
12plan is accurate, which may include, but is not limited to, making
13contact with the beneficiary,
before updating the beneficiary’s case
14file.
15(d) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
16federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social
17Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396
et seq.) is available.
18(e) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5
19(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
202 of the Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency
21regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
22The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
23pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
24department, of regulations implementing this section shall be
25deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
26to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
27of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
28the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
29describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
30review by the Office of Administrative Law.
Section 14005.37 of the Welfare and Institutions
32Code is amended to read:
(a) Except as provided in Section 14005.39,
34whenever a county receives information about changes in a
35beneficiary’s circumstances that may affect eligibility for Medi-Cal
36benefits, the county shall promptly redetermine eligibility. The
37procedures for redetermining Medi-Cal eligibility described in this
38section shall apply to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
39(b) Loss of eligibility for cash aid under that program shall not
40result in a redetermination under this section unless the reason for
P21 1the loss of eligibility is one that would result in the need for a
2redetermination for a person whose eligibility for Medi-Cal under
3Section 14005.30 was determined without a concurrent
4determination of eligibility for cash aid under the CalWORKs
5program.
6(c) A loss of contact, as evidenced by the return of mail marked
7in such a way as to indicate that it could not be delivered to the
8intended recipient or that there was no forwarding address, shall
9require a prompt redetermination according to the procedures set
10forth in this section.
11(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, Medi-Cal
12eligibility shall continue during the redetermination process
13described in this section. A Medi-Cal beneficiary’s eligibility shall
14not be terminated under this section until the county makes a
15specific determination based on facts clearly demonstrating that
16the beneficiary is no longer eligible for Medi-Cal under any basis
17and due process rights guaranteed under this division have been
18met.
19(e) For purposes of acquiring information necessary to conduct
20the eligibility
determinations described in subdivisions (a) to (d),
21inclusive, a county shall make every reasonable effort to gather
22information available to the county that is relevant to the
23beneficiary’s Medi-Cal eligibility prior to contacting the
24beneficiary. Sources for these efforts shall include, but are not
25limited to, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and CalFresh case files of the
26beneficiary or of any of his or her immediate family members,
27which are open or were closed within the last 45 days, and
28wherever feasible, other sources of relevant information reasonably
29available to the counties.
30(f) If a county cannot obtain information necessary to
31redetermine eligibility pursuant to subdivision (e), the county shall
32attempt to reach the beneficiary by telephone in order to obtain
33this information, either directly or in collaboration with
34community-based organizations so long as confidentiality is
35protected.
36(g) If a county’s efforts pursuant to subdivisions (e) and (f) to
37obtain the information necessary to redetermine eligibility have
38failed, the county shall send to the beneficiary a form, which shall
39highlight the information needed to complete the eligibility
40determination. The county shall not request information or
P22 1documentation that has been previously provided by the
2beneficiary, that is not absolutely necessary to complete the
3eligibility determination, or that is not subject to change. The form
4shall be accompanied by a simple, clear, consumer-friendly cover
5letter, which shall explain why the form is necessary, the fact that
6it is not necessary to be receiving CalWORKs benefits to be
7receiving Medi-Cal benefits, the fact that receipt of Medi-Cal
8benefits does not count toward any time limits imposed by the
9CalWORKs program, the various bases for Medi-Cal eligibility,
10including disability, and the fact that even persons who are
11employed can receive Medi-Cal benefits. The cover letter
shall
12include a telephone number to call in order to obtain more
13information. The form and the cover letter shall be developed by
14the department in consultation with the counties and representatives
15of consumers, managed care plans, and Medi-Cal providers. A
16Medi-Cal beneficiary shall have no less than 20 days from the date
17the form is mailed pursuant to this subdivision to respond. Except
18as provided in subdivision (h), failure to respond prior to the end
19of this 20-day period shall not impact his or her Medi-Cal
20eligibility.
21(h) If the purpose for a redetermination under this section is a
22loss of contact with the Medi-Cal beneficiary, as evidenced by the
23return of mail marked in such a way as to indicate that it could not
24be delivered to the intended recipient or that there was no
25forwarding address, a return of the form described in subdivision
26(g) marked as undeliverable shall result in an immediate notice of
27action terminating Medi-Cal
eligibility.
28(i) If, within 20 days of the date of mailing of a form to the
29Medi-Cal beneficiary pursuant to subdivision (g), a beneficiary
30does not submit the completed form to the county, the county shall
31send the beneficiary a written notice of action stating that his or
32her eligibility shall be terminated 10 days from the date of the
33notice and the reasons for that determination, unless the beneficiary
34submits a completed form prior to the end of the 10-day period.
35(j) If, within 20 days of the date of mailing of a form to the
36Medi-Cal beneficiary pursuant to subdivision (g), the beneficiary
37submits an incomplete form, the county shall attempt to contact
38the beneficiary by telephone and in writing to request the necessary
39information. If the beneficiary does not supply the necessary
40information to the county within 10 days from the date the county
P23 1contacts the beneficiary in
regard to the incomplete form, a 10-day
2notice of termination of Medi-Cal eligibility shall be sent.
3(k) If, within 30 days of termination of a Medi-Cal beneficiary’s
4eligibility pursuant to subdivision (h), (i), or (j), the beneficiary
5submits to the county a completed form, eligibility shall be
6determined as though the form was submitted in a timely manner
7and if a beneficiary is found eligible, the termination under
8subdivision (h), (i), or (j) shall be rescinded.
9(l) If the information reasonably available to the county pursuant
10to the redetermination procedures of subdivisions (d), (e), (g), and
11(m) does not indicate a basis of eligibility, Medi-Cal benefits may
12be terminated so long as due process requirements have otherwise
13been met.
14(m) The department shall, with the counties and representatives
15of
consumers, including those with disabilities, and Medi-Cal
16providers, develop a timeframe for redetermination of Medi-Cal
17eligibility based upon disability, including ex parte review, the
18redetermination form described in subdivision (g), timeframes for
19responding to county or state requests for additional information,
20and the forms and procedures to be used. The forms and procedures
21shall be as consumer-friendly as possible for people with
22disabilities. The timeframe shall provide a reasonable and adequate
23opportunity for the Medi-Cal beneficiary to obtain and submit
24medical records and other information needed to establish
25eligibility for Medi-Cal based upon disability.
26(n) This section shall be implemented on or before July 1, 2001,
27but only to the extent that federal financial participation under
28Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396
29et seq.) is available.
30(o) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3111340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
32the department shall, without taking any regulatory action,
33implement this section by means of all county letters or similar
34instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in
35accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing
36with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
37Government Code. Comprehensive implementing instructions
38shall be issued to the counties no later than March 1, 2001.
P24 1(p) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
2and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
3is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14005.37 is added to the Welfare and
5Institutions Code, to read:
(a) Except as provided in Section 14005.39, a county
7shall perform redeterminations of eligibility for Medi-Cal
8beneficiaries every 12 months and shall promptly redetermine
9eligibility whenever the county receives information about changes
10in a beneficiary’s circumstances that may affect eligibility for
11Medi-Cal
benefits. The procedures for redetermining Medi-Cal
12eligibility described in this section shall apply to all Medi-Cal
13beneficiaries.
14(b) Loss of eligibility for cash aid under that program shall not
15result in a redetermination under this section unless the reason for
16the loss of eligibility is one that would result in the need for a
17redetermination for a person whose eligibility for Medi-Cal under
18Section 14005.30 was determined without a concurrent
19determination of eligibility for cash aid under the CalWORKs
20program.
21(c) A loss of contact, as evidenced by the return of mail marked
22in such a way as to indicate that it could not be delivered to the
23intended recipient or that there was no forwarding address, shall
24require a prompt redetermination according to the procedures set
25forth in this section.
26(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, Medi-Cal
27eligibility shall continue during the redetermination process
28described in this section and a beneficiary’s Medi-Cal eligibility
29shall not be terminated under this section until the county makes
30a specific determination based on facts clearly demonstrating that
31the beneficiary is no longer eligible for Medi-Cal benefits under
32any basis and due process rights guaranteed under this division
33have been met.
34(e) (1) For purposes of acquiring information necessary to
35conduct the eligibility redeterminations described in this section,
36a county shall gather information available to the county that is
37relevant to the beneficiary’s Medi-Cal eligibility prior to contacting
38the beneficiary. Sources for these efforts shall
include information
39contained in the beneficiary’s file or other information, including
40more recent information available to the county, including, but not
P25 1limited to, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and CalFresh case files of the
2beneficiary or of any of his or her immediate family members,
3which are open or were closed within the last 45 days, information
4accessed through any databases accessed under Sections 435.948,
5435.949, and 435.956 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal
6Regulations, and wherever feasible, other sources of relevant
7information reasonably available to the
county.
8(2) In the case of an annual redetermination, if, based upon
9information obtained pursuant to paragraph (1), the county is able
10to make a determination of continued eligibility, the county shall
11notify the beneficiary of both of the following:
12(A) The eligibility determination and
the information it is based
13on.
14(B) That the beneficiary is required to inform the county via the
15Internet, by telephone, by mail, in person, or through other
16commonly available electronic means, in counties where such
17electronic communication is available, if any information contained
18in the notice is inaccurate but that the beneficiary is not required
19to sign and return the notice if all information provided on the
20notice is accurate.
21(3) The
county shall make all reasonable efforts not to send
22multiple notices during the same time period about eligibility. The
23notice of eligibility renewal shall contain other related information
24such as if the beneficiary is in a new Medi-Cal program.
25(4) In the case of a redetermination due to a change in
26circumstances, if a county determines that the change in
27circumstances does not affect the beneficiary’s eligibility status,
28the county shall not send the beneficiary a notice unless required
29to do so by federal law.
30(f) (1) In the case of an annual
eligibility redetermination, if
31the county is unable to determine continued eligibility based on
32the information obtained pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision
33(e), the beneficiary shall be so informed and shall be provided with
34an annual renewal form that is prepopulated with information that
35the county has obtained and that identifies any additional
36information needed by the county to determine eligibility. The
37form shall be accompanied by a cover letter advising the
38beneficiary of all of the following:
P26 1(A) The requirement that he or she provide any necessary
2information to the county within 60 days of the date that the form
3is sent to the beneficiary.
4(B) That the beneficiary may respond to the county via the
5Internet, by mail, by telephone, in person, or through other
6commonly available electronic means if those means are
available
7in that county.
8(C) That if the beneficiary chooses to return the form to the
9county in person or via mail, the beneficiary shall sign the form
10in order for it to be considered complete.
11(D) The phone number to call in order to obtain more
12information.
13(2) The county shall attempt to contact the beneficiary via the
14Internet, by telephone, or through other commonly available
15electronic means, if those means are available in that county, during
16the 60-day period to collect the necessary information.
17(3) If the beneficiary has not provided any response to the
18written request for information sent pursuant to paragraph (1)
19within 60 days from the
date the form is sent, the county shall
20terminate his or her eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits following the
21provision of timely notice.
22(4) If the beneficiary responds to the written request for
23information during the 60-day period pursuant to paragraph (1)
24but the information provided is not complete, the county shall
25follow the procedures set forth in subdivision (g) to work with the
26beneficiary to complete the information.
27(5) (A) The form and cover letter required by this subdivision
28shall be developed by the department in consultation with the
29counties and representatives of eligibility workers and consumers.
30(B) For beneficiaries whose eligibility is not determined using
31MAGI-based financial methods, the county may
use existing
32renewal forms until the state develops prepopulated renewal forms
33to provide to beneficiaries. The department shall develop
34prepopulated renewal forms for use with beneficiaries whose
35eligibility is not determined using MAGI-based financial methods
36by January 1, 2015.
37(g) (1) In the case of a redetermination due to change in
38circumstances, if a county cannot obtain
sufficient information to
39redetermine eligibility pursuant to subdivision (e), the county shall
40attempt to reach the beneficiary by telephone and other commonly
P27 1available electronic means, in counties where such electronic
2communication is available, in order to obtain this information,
3either directly or in collaboration with community-based
4organizations so long as confidentiality is protected.
5(2) If a county’s efforts pursuant to
subdivision (e) and
6
paragraph (1) of this subdivision to obtain the information
7necessary to redetermine eligibility have failed, the county shall
8send to the beneficiary a form stating the information needed to
9renew eligibility. The county shall only request information related
10to the change in circumstances. The county shall not request
11information or documentation that has been previously provided
12by the beneficiary, that is not absolutely necessary to complete the
13eligibility determination, or that is not subject to change. The
14county shall
only request information for nonapplicants necessary
15to make an eligibility determination or for a purpose directly related
16to the administration of the state Medicaid plan. The form shall
17advise the individual to provide any necessary information to the
18county via the Internet, by telephone, by mail, in person, or through
19other commonly available electronic means and, if the individual
20will provide the form by mail or in person, to sign the
form. The
21form shall include a telephone number to call in order to obtain
22more information. The form shall be developed by the department
23in consultation with the counties, representatives of consumers,
24
and eligibility workers. A Medi-Cal beneficiary shall have no less
25than 20 days from the date the form is mailed pursuant to this
26subdivision to respond. Except as provided in paragraph (3), failure
27to respond prior to the end of this 20-day period shall not impact
28his or her Medi-Cal eligibility.
29(3) If the purpose for a redetermination under this section is a
30loss of contact with the Medi-Cal beneficiary, as evidenced by the
31
return of mail marked in such a way as to indicate that it could not
32be delivered to the intended recipient or that there was no
33forwarding address, a return of the form described in this
34subdivision marked as undeliverable shall result in an immediate
35notice of action terminating Medi-Cal eligibility.
36(4) If, within 20 days of the date of mailing of a form to the
37Medi-Cal beneficiary pursuant to
this
subdivision, a beneficiary
38does not submit the completed form to the county or otherwise
39provide the needed information to the county, the county shall
40send the beneficiary a written notice of action stating that his or
P28 1her eligibility shall be terminated 10 days from the date of the
2notice and the reasons for that determination, unless the beneficiary
3submits a completed form or otherwise provides the needed
4information to the county prior to the end of the 10-day period.
5(5) If, within 20 days of the date of mailing of a form to the
6Medi-Cal beneficiary pursuant to this subdivision, the beneficiary
7submits an incomplete form, the county shall attempt to contact
8the beneficiary by telephone, in writing, or other commonly
9available electronic means, in counties where such electronic
10communication is available, to request the necessary information.
11If the beneficiary does not supply the necessary information to the
12county within 10 days from the date the county contacts the
13beneficiary in regard to the incomplete form, a 10-day notice of
14termination of Medi-Cal eligibility shall
be sent.
15(h) If within 90 days of termination of a Medi-Cal beneficiary’s
16eligibility or a change in eligibility status pursuant to
this section,
17the beneficiary submits to the county a signed and completed form
18or otherwise provides the needed information to the county,
19eligibility shall be redetermined by the county and if
the beneficiary
20is found eligible, the termination shall be rescinded.
21(i) If the information available to the county pursuant to the
22redetermination procedures of this section does not indicate a basis
23of eligibility, Medi-Cal benefits may be terminated so long as due
24process requirements
have otherwise been met.
25(j) The department shall, with the counties and representatives
26of consumers, including those with disabilities, and Medi-Cal
27eligibility workers, develop a timeframe for redetermination of
28Medi-Cal eligibility based upon disability, including ex parte
29review, the redetermination
forms
described in subdivisions (f)
30and (g), timeframes for responding to county or state requests for
31additional information, and the forms and procedures to be used.
32The forms and procedures shall be as consumer-friendly as possible
33for people with disabilities. The timeframe shall provide a
34reasonable and adequate opportunity for the Medi-Cal beneficiary
35to obtain and submit medical records and other information needed
36to establish eligibility for Medi-Cal based upon disability.
37(k) The county shall consider blindness as continuing until the
38reviewing physician determines that a beneficiary’s vision has
39improved beyond the applicable definition of blindness contained
40in the plan.
P29 1(l) The county shall consider disability as continuing until the
2review team determines that a beneficiary’s disability no longer
3meets the applicable definition of disability contained in the plan.
4(m) If a county has enough information available to it to renew
5eligibility with respect to all eligibility criteria, the county shall
6begin a new 12-month eligibility period.
7(n) For individuals determined ineligible for Medi-Cal
by a
8county following the redetermination procedures set forth in this
9section, the county shall determine eligibility for other
insurance
10affordability programs and if the individual is found to be eligible,
11the county shall, as appropriate, transfer the individual’s electronic
12account to other insurance affordability programs via a secure
13electronic interface.
14(o) Any renewal form or notice shall be accessible to
persons
15who are limited English proficient and persons with disabilities
16consistent with all federal and state requirements.
17(p) The requirements to provide information in subdivision (b)
18and to report changes in circumstances in subdivision (c) may be
19provided through any of the modes of submission allowed in
20Section 435.907(a) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
21including an Internet Web site identified by the department,
22telephone, mail, in person, and other commonly available electronic
23means as authorized by the department.
24(q) Forms required to be signed by a beneficiary pursuant to
25this section shall be signed under penalty of perjury. Electronic
26signatures, telephonic signatures, and handwritten signatures
27transmitted by electronic transmission shall be
accepted.
28(r) For purposes of this section, “MAGI-based financial
29methods” means income calculated using the financial
30methodologies described in Section 1396a(e)(14) of Title 42 of
31the United States Code, and as added by the federal Patient
32Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as
33amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation
34Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any subsequent
35amendments.
36(s) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
37that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
38federal approvals have been obtained.
39(t) This section shall become operative January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.38 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
2 is amended to read:
(a) To the extent feasible, the department shall use
4the redetermination form required by subdivision (g) of Section
514005.37 as the annual reaffirmation form.
6(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
7and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
8is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14005.39 of the Welfare and Institutions
11Code is amended to read:
(a) If a county has facts clearly demonstrating that
13a Medi-Cal beneficiary cannot be eligible for Medi-Cal due to an
14event, such as death or change of state residency, Medi-Cal benefits
15shall be terminated without a redetermination under Section
1614005.37.
17(b) Whenever Medi-Cal eligibility is terminated without a
18redetermination, as provided in subdivision (a), the Medi-Cal
19eligibility worker shall record that fact or event causing the
20eligibility termination in the beneficiary’s file, along with a
21certification that a full redetermination could not result in a finding
22of Medi-Cal eligibility. Following this certification, a notice of
23action specifying the basis for termination of Medi-Cal eligibility
24shall be sent to the
beneficiary.
25(c) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
26that federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal
27Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et. seq.) is available and
28necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
29(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3011340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
31the department shall, without taking any regulatory action,
32implement this section by means of all-county letters or similar
33instructions. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in
34accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing
35with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
36Government Code.
Section 14005.60 is added to the Welfare and
38Institutions Code, to read:
(a) Commencing January 1, 2014, the department
40shall provide eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits for any person who
P31 1meets the eligibility requirements of Section
21902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of Title XIX of the federal Social Security
3Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII)).
4(b) Persons who qualify under subdivision (a) and are currently
5enrolled in a Low Income Health Program (LIHP) under
6California’s Bridge to Reform Section 1115(a) Medicaid
7Demonstration shall be transitioned to the Medi-Cal program under
8this section in accordance with the transition plan as approved by
9the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. With
10respect to plan enrollment, a LIHP enrollee shall be
simultaneously
11notified by the department at least 60 days prior to January 1, 2014,
12of all of the following:
13(1) Which Medi-Cal health plan or plans contain his or her
14existing medical home provider.
15(2) That the LIHP enrollee, subject to his or her ability to choose
16or change plans as described in paragraph (3), will be assigned to
17a health plan that includes his or her medical home and will be
18enrolled effective January 1, 2014. If the enrollee wants to keep
19his or her medical home, no additional action will be required.
20(3) The opportunity to choose a different health plan prior to
21January 1, 2014, if there is more than one plan available in the
22county where he or she resides. Instructions on how to choose or
23change plans shall be included in the notice, along with a packet
24of information about the available plans in the LIHP enrollee’s
25county.
26(4) If his or her existing medical home provider is not contracted
27with any Medi-Cal managed care health plan, he or she
will receive
28all provider and health plan information required to be sent to new
29enrollees. If he or she does not affirmatively select one of the
30available Medi-Cal managed care plans within 30 days of receipt
31of the notice, he or she will automatically be assigned a plan
32through the department prescribed auto-assignment process.
33(c) In counties where no Medi-Cal managed care health plans
34are available, LIHP enrollees shall be (1) notified that they will
35be transitioned to fee-for-service Medi-Cal as of January 1, 2014,
36(2) informed if their LIHP medical home provider is a Medi-Cal
37fee-for-service provider, (3) provided instructions on how to access
38services, (4) given a list of Medi-Cal fee-for-service providers by
39area of practice with contact information for each provider, and
P32 1(5) provided any other information that is required to be sent to
2new enrollees.
3(d) The department shall consult with stakeholders in developing
4the notice required by this section, including representatives of
5Medi-Cal beneficiaries, representatives of public hospitals, and
6representatives of county social service departments.
7(e) In order to ensure that no persons lose health care coverage
8in the course of the transition, the department shall require that
9notices of the January 1, 2014, change be sent to LIHP enrollees
10upon their LIHP redetermination in 2013 and again at least 90 days
11prior to the transition. Pursuant to Section
1902(k)(1) and Section
121937(b)(1)(D) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
131396a(k)(1); 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396u-7(b)(1)(D)), the department
14shall seek approval from the United States Secretary of Health and
15Human Services to establish a benchmark benefit package that
16includes the same benefits, services, and coverage that are provided
17to all other full-scope Medi-Cal enrollees, supplemented by any
18benefits, services, and coverage included in the essential health
19benefits package adopted by the state pursuant to Section 1367.005
20of the Health and Safety Code and Section 10112.27 of the
21Insurance Code and approved by the United States Secretary of
22Health and Human Services under Section 18022 of Title 42 of
23the United States Code, and any successor essential health benefit
24package adopted by the state.
Section 14005.62 is added to the Welfare and
26Institutions Code, to read:
Commencing January 1, 2014, the department shall
28accept an individual’s attestation of information and verify
29information pursuant to Section 15926.2.
Section 14005.63 is added to the Welfare and
32Institutions Code, to read:
(a) A person who wishes to apply for an insurance
34affordability program shall be allowed to file an application on his
35or her own behalf or on behalf of his or her family. Subject to the
36requirements of Section 14014.5, an individual also may be
37accompanied, assisted, and represented in the application and
38renewal process by an individual or organization of his or her own
39choice. If the individual, for any reason, is unable to apply or renew
P33 1on his or her own behalf, any of the following persons may assist
2in the application process or during a renewal of eligibility:
3(1) The individual’s guardian, conservator, a person authorized
4to make health care decisions on behalf of the individual pursuant
5to an advance health care directive, or
executor or administrator
6of the individual’s estate.
7(2) A public agency representative.
8(3) The individual’s legal counsel, relative, friend, or other
9spokesperson of his or her choice.
10(b) A person who wishes to challenge a decision concerning his
11or her eligibility for or receipt of benefits from an insurance
12affordability program has the right to represent himself or herself
13or use legal counsel, a relative, a friend, or other spokesperson of
14his or her choice subject to the requirements of Section 14014.5.
15(c) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5
16(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
172 of the Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency
18regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
19
The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
20pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
21department, of regulations implementing this section shall be
22deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
23to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
24of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
25the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
26describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
27review by the Office of Administrative Law.
28(d) This section shall be implemented on October 1, 2013, or
29when all necessary federal approvals have been obtained,
30whichever is later, and only if and to the extent that federal
31financial participation is available.
Section 14005.64 is added to the Welfare and
33Institutions Code, to read:
(a) This section implements Section 1902(e)(14)(C)
35of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(e)(14)(C))
36and Section 435.603(g) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal
37Regulations, which prohibits the use of an assets test for individuals
38whose income eligibility is determined based on modified adjusted
39gross income (MAGI), and Section 2002 of the federal Patient
40Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) (42
P34 1U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(e)(14)(I)) and Section 435.603(d) of Title 42
2of the Code of Federal Regulations, which requires a 5-percent
3income disregard for individuals whose income eligibility is
4determined based on MAGI.
5(b) In the case of individuals whose financial eligibility for
6Medi-Cal is determined based on the
application of MAGI pursuant
7to Section 435.603 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
8the eligibility determination shall not include any assets or
9resources test.
10(c) The department shall implement the 5-percent income
11disregard for individuals whose income eligibility is determined
12based on MAGI in Section 2002 of the Affordable Care Act (42
13U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(e)(14)(I)) and Section 435.603(d) of Title 42
14of the Code of Federal Regulations.
15(d) The department shall adopt an equivalent income level for
16each eligibility group whose income level will be converted to
17MAGI. The equivalent income level shall not be less than the dollar
18amount of all income exemptions, exclusions, deductions, and
19disregards in effect on March 23, 2010, plus the existing income
20level expressed as a percent of the federal poverty level for each
21eligibility group so as to ensure that the use of
MAGI income
22methodology does not result in populations who would have been
23eligible under this chapter and Part 6.3 (commencing with Section
2412695) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code losing coverage.
25(e) The department shall include individuals under 19 years of
26age, or in the case of full-time students, under 21 years of age, in
27the household for purposes of determining eligibility under Section
281396a(e)(14) of Title 42 of the United States Code, as added by
29the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public
30Law 111-148), and as amended by the federal Health Care and
31Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152) and
32any subsequent amendments, as provided in Section 435.603(f)(3)
33of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
34(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14005.65 is added to the Welfare and
36Institutions Code, to read:
In accordance with the state’s options under Section
38435.603(h) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the
39department shall adopt procedures to take into account projected
40future changes in income and family size, for individuals whose
P35 1Medi-Cal income eligibility is determined using MAGI-based
2methods, in order to grant or maintain eligibility for those
3individuals who may be ineligible or become ineligible if only the
4current monthly income and family size are considered.
5(a) For current beneficiaries whose eligibility has already been
6approved, the department shall base financial eligibility on
7projected annual household income for the remainder of the current
8calendar year if the current monthly income would render the
9beneficiary ineligible due to
fluctuating income.
10(b) For applicants, the department shall, in determining the
11current monthly household income and family size, base an initial
12determination of eligibility on the projected annual household
13income and family size for the upcoming year if considering the
14current monthly income and family size in isolation would render
15an applicant ineligible.
16(c) In the procedures adopted pursuant to this section, the
17department shall implement a reasonable method to account for a
18reasonably predictable decrease in income and increase in family
19size, as evidenced by a history of predictable fluctuations in income
20or other clear indicia of a future decrease in income and increase
21in family size. The department shall not assume potential future
22increases in income or decreases in family size to make an applicant
23or beneficiary ineligible in the current month.
24(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
begin insertSection 14005.65 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
26Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
(a) The department shall file a state plan amendment
28to exercise the federal option under subdivision (h) of Section
29435.603 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations to allow
30beneficiaries to use projected annual household income and to
31allow applicants and beneficiaries to use reasonably predictable
32annual income as set forth in this section when determining their
33eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.
34(b) (1) Beneficiaries shall be allowed to use projected annual
35household income to establish eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits for
36the remainder of the calendar year in which that projected income
37is used to determine eligibility if the current monthly income would
38render the beneficiary ineligible due to an increase in
income.
P36 1(2) If projected annual household income has been used by the
2beneficiary, the department shall redetermine the beneficiary’s
3Medi-Cal benefits at the end of the calendar year.
4(c) (1) Applicants and beneficiaries shall be allowed to use
5reasonably predictable annual income to establish eligibility for
6Medi-Cal benefits.
7(2) Before being allowed to use reasonably predictable annual
8income pursuant to establishing eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits,
9the applicant or beneficiary shall provide the department with
10adequate evidence of the predicted change, including, but not
11limited to, a signed contract for employment, clear proof of a
12history of predictable fluctuations in income, or other clear indicia
13of such future changes in income.
14(d) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
15that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
16federal approvals have been obtained.
17(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
begin insertSection 14005.66 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
19Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
The department shall seek any federal waivers
21necessary to use the eligibility information of individuals who have
22been determined eligible for the CalFresh program under Chapter
2310 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and who are under
2465 years of age and are not disabled, to determine their Medi-Cal
25eligibility.
begin insertSection 14005.67 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
27Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
The department shall seek any federal waivers
29necessary to automatically enroll parents in the Medi-Cal program
30who apply for Medi-Cal benefits and have one or more children
31who are eligible for Medi-Cal benefits based upon a determined
32income level that is at or below the applicable income standard
33for eligibility under Section 14005.60.
begin insertSection 14005.68 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
35Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
The department may seek any federal waivers or
37state plan amendments necessary to use the eligibility information
38of individuals determined eligible for other state-only funded health
39care programs and county general assistance programs to
P37 1determine an applicant’s Medi-Cal eligibility to the extent that
2there is no General Fund impact.
Section 14007.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
5 is amended to read:
(a) The department shall adopt regulations for use
7by the county welfare department in determining whether an
8applicant is a resident of this state and of the county subject to the
9requirements of federal law. The regulations shall require that state
10residency is not established unless the applicant does both of the
11following:
12(1) The applicant produces one of the following:
13(A) A recent California rent or mortgage receipt or utility bill
14in the applicant’s name.
15(B) A current California motor vehicle driver’s license or
16California Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor
17Vehicles in
the applicant’s name.
18(C) A current California motor vehicle registration in the
19applicant’s name.
20(D) A document showing that the applicant is employed in this
21state.
22(E) A document showing that the applicant has registered with
23a public or private employment service in this state.
24(F) Evidence that the applicant has enrolled his or her children
25in a school in this state.
26(G) Evidence that the applicant is receiving public assistance
27in this state.
28(H) Evidence of registration to vote in this state.
29(2) The applicant declares, under penalty of perjury, that all
of
30the following apply:
31(A) The applicant does not own or lease a principal residence
32outside this state.
33(B) The applicant is not receiving public assistance outside this
34state. As used in this subdivision, “public assistance” does not
35include unemployment insurance benefits.
36(b) A denial of a determination of residency may be appealed
37in the same manner as any other denial of eligibility. The
38administrative law judge shall receive any proof of residency
39offered by the applicant and may inquire into any facts relevant
40to the question of residency. A determination of residency shall
P38 1not be granted unless a preponderance of the credible evidence
2supports the applicant’s intent to remain indefinitely in this state.
3(c) This section shall
remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
4and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
5is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14007.1 is added to the Welfare and
8Institutions Code, to read:
(a) The department shall electronically verify an
10individual’s state residency using information from the federal
11Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the CalWORKs
12program, the California Health Benefit Exchange, the Franchise
13Tax Board, the Department of Motor Vehicles,begin delete the state agency
14administering the state’s unemployment compensation laws, andend delete
15begin insert the Employment Development Department, or end insert the electronic
16service established in accordance with Section 435.949 of Title
1742 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and other available sources.
18If the department is unable to electronically verify an individual’s
19state
residency using these electronic data sources, an individual
20begin delete may establishend deletebegin insert shall verifyend insert state residency as set forth in this section.
21(b) If the individual is 21 years of age or older, is capable of
22indicating intent, and is not residing in an institution, state
23residency is established when the individualbegin delete does both of the begin insert provides one of the following:end insert
24following.end delete
25(1) The individual provides one of the following:
end delete26(A)
end delete
27begin insert(end insertbegin insert1)end insert A recent California rent or mortgage receipt or utility bill
28in the individual’s name.
29(B)
end delete
30begin insert(end insertbegin insert2)end insert A current California motor vehicle driver’s license or
31California Identification Card issued by the Department of Motor
32Vehicles in the individual’s name.
33(C)
end delete
34begin insert(end insertbegin insert3)end insert A current California motor vehicle registration in the
35individual’s name.
36(D)
end delete
37begin insert(end insertbegin insert4)end insert A document showing that the individual is employed in this
38state or is seeking employment in the state.
39(E)
end delete
P39 1begin insert(end insertbegin insert5)end insert A document showing that the individual has registered with
2a public or private employment service in this state.
3(F)
end delete
4begin insert(end insertbegin insert6)end insert Evidence that the individual has enrolled his or her children
5in a school in this state.
6(G)
end delete
7begin insert(end insertbegin insert7)end insert Evidence that the individual is receiving public assistance
8in this state.begin insert For purposes of this paragraph, “public assistance”
9shall not include unemployment insurance benefits. end insert
10(H)
end delete11begin insert(end insertbegin insert8)end insert Evidence of registration to vote in this state.
12(I)
end delete
13begin insert(end insertbegin insert9)end insert A declaration by the individual under penalty of perjury that
14he or she intends to reside in this state and does not have a fixed
15address and cannot provide any of the documents identified in
16begin delete subparagraphs (A) to (H)end deletebegin insert paragraphs (1) to (8)end insert, inclusive.
17(J)
end delete
18begin insert(10)end insert A declaration by the individual under penalty of perjury
19that he or she has entered the state with a job commitment or is
20seeking employment in the state and cannot provide any of the
21documents identified inbegin delete subparagraphs (A) to (H)end deletebegin insert paragraphs (1)
22to (8)end insert, inclusive.
23(2) The individual declares, under penalty of perjury, that both
24of the following apply:
25(A) The individual does not own or lease a principal residence
26outside this state.
27(B) The individual is not receiving public assistance outside
28this state. For purposes of this subdivision, “public assistance”
29shall not include unemployment insurance benefits.
30(c) If the individual is 21 years of age or older, is incapable of
31indicating intent, and is not residing in an institution, state
32residency is established when the parent, legal guardian of the
33individual, or any other person with knowledge declares, under
34penalty of perjury, that the individual is residing in this state.
35(d) If the individual is 21 years of age or older, is residing in an
36institution, and became incapable of indicating intent before
37reaching 21 years of age, state residency is established by any of
38the following:
39(1) When the parent applying for Medi-Cal on the individual’s
40behalf (A) declares under penalty of perjury that the individual’s
P40 1parents reside in separate states and (B) establishes that he or she
2(the parent) is a resident of this state in accordance with the
3requirements of this
section.
4(2) When the legal guardian applying for Medi-Cal on the
5individual’s behalf (A) declares under penalty of perjury that
6parental rights have been terminated and (B) establishes that he
7or she (the legal guardian) is a resident of this state in accordance
8with the requirements of this section.
9(3) When the parent or parents applying for Medi-Cal on the
10individual’s behalf establishes in accordance with the requirements
11of this section that he, she, or they (the parent or parents), were a
12resident of this state at the time the individual was placed in the
13institution.
14(4) When the legal guardian applying for Medi-Cal on the
15individual’s behalf (A) declares under penalty of perjury that
16parental rights have been terminated and (B) establishes in
17accordance with the requirements of this section that he or she
(the
18legal guardian) was a resident of this state at the time the individual
19was placed in the institution.
20(5) When the parent, or parents, applying for Medi-Cal on the
21individual’s behalf (A) provides a document from the institution
22that demonstrates that the individual is institutionalized in this
23state and (B) establishes in accordance with the requirements of
24this section that he, she, or they (the parent or parents), are a
25resident of this state.
26(6) When the legal guardian applying for Medi-Cal on the
27individual’s behalf (A) provides a document from the institution
28that demonstrates that the individual is institutionalized in this
29state, (B) declares under penalty of perjury that parental rights
30have been terminated, and (C) establishes in accordance with the
31requirements of this section that he or she (the legal guardian) is
32a resident of this state.
33(7) When the individual or party applying for Medi-Cal on the
34individual’s behalf (A) provides a document from the institution
35that demonstrates that the individual is institutionalized in this
36state, (B) declares under penalty of perjury that the individual has
37been abandoned by his or her parents and does not have a legal
38guardian, and (C) establishes that he or she (the individual or party
39applying for Medi-Cal on the individual’s behalf) is a resident of
40this state in accordance with the requirements of this section.
P41 1(e) Except when another state has placed the individual in the
2institution, if the individual is 21 years of age or older, is residing
3in an institution, and became incapable of indicating intent on or
4after reaching 21 years of age, state residency is established when
5the person filing the application on the individual’s behalf provides
6a document from the
institution that demonstrates that the
7individual is institutionalized in this state.
8(f) If the individual is 21 years of age or older, is capable of
9indicating intent, and is residing in an institution, state residency
10is established when the individual (1) provides a document from
11the institution that demonstrates that the individual is
12institutionalized in this state, and (2) declares under penalty of
13perjury that he or she intends to reside in this state.
14(g) If the individual is under 21 years of age, is married or
15emancipated from his or her parents, is capable of indicating intent,
16and is not residing in an institution, state residency is established
17in accordance with subdivision (b).
18(h) If the individual is under 21 years of age, is not living in an
19institution, and is not described in subdivision (g),
state residency
20is established by any of the following:
21(1) When the individual resides with his or her parent or parents
22and the parent or parents establish that he, she, or they (the parent
23or parents), as the case may be, are a resident of this state in
24accordance with the requirements of subdivision (b).
25(2) When the individual resides with a caretaker relative and
26the caretaker relative establishes that he, she, or they (the caretaker
27relative or caretaker relatives), are a resident of this state in
28accordance with the requirements of subdivision (b).
29(3) When the person with whom the individual is residing is
30not the individual’s parent or caretaker relative and he or she (A)
31declares under penalty of perjury that the individual is residing
32with him or her, and (B) establishes that he or she (the person with
33
whom the individual is residing) is a resident of this state in
34accordance with the requirements of subdivision (b).
35(4) When the individual does not reside with his or her parents
36or with a caretaker relative and he or she declares under penalty
37of perjury that he or she is living in this state.
38(i) If the individual is under 21 years of age, is institutionalized,
39and is not married or emancipated, state residency is established
P42 1in accordance withbegin delete paragraphsend deletebegin insert paragraphend insert (3), (4), (5), (6)begin delete andend deletebegin insert, orend insert
2 (7) of
subdivision (d).
3(j) A denial of a determination of residency may be appealed
4in the same manner as any other denial of eligibility. The
5administrative law judge shall receive any proof of residency
6offered by the individual and may inquire into any facts relevant
7to the question of residency. A determination of residency shall
8not be granted unless a preponderance of the credible evidence
9supports that the individual is a resident of this state under Section
1014007.15.
11(k) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5
12(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
132 of the Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency
14regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
15The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
16pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
17department, of regulations implementing this
section shall be
18deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
19to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
20of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
21the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
22describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
23review by the Office of Administrative Law.
24(l) For purposes of this section, the definitions in subdivision
25(i) of Section 14007.15 shall apply.
26(m) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
27that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
28federal approvals have been obtained.
29(n) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14007.15 is added to the Welfare and
32Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14007.1, to read:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (f), an
34individual is a resident of this state if he or she is 21 years of age
35or older, is not residing in an institution, is living in the state, and
36any of the following apply:
37(1) The individual intends to reside in this state, including
38individuals who do not have a fixed address.
P43 1(2) The individual has entered this state with a job commitment
2or is seeking employment in this state, regardless of whether he
3or she is currently employed.
4(3) The individual is incapable of indicating intent.
5(b) Except as
provided in subdivision (f), an individual that is
621 years of age or older, is residing in an institution, and became
7incapable of indicating intent before reaching 21 years of age is a
8resident of this state if any of the following apply:
9(1) The individual’s parents reside in separate states and the
10parent applying for Medi-Cal on the individual’s behalf is a resident
11of this state under this section.
12(2) The parental rights have been terminated and a legal guardian
13has been appointed for the individual and the legal guardian
14applying for Medi-Cal on the individual’s behalf is a resident of
15this state under this section.
16(3) The individual’s parent or parents, or legal guardian if
17parental rights have been terminated, was a resident of this state
18under this section at the time the individual was placed in the
19
institution.
20(4) The individual is institutionalized in this state and the parent
21or parents, or legal guardian if parental rights have been terminated,
22applying forbegin delete Med-Calend deletebegin insert Medi-Calend insert on the individual’s behalf is a
23resident of this state under this section.
24(5) The individual is institutionalized in this state, has been
25abandoned by his or her parent or parents, does not have a legal
26guardian, and the individual or party that filed the Medi-Cal
27application on the individual’s behalf is a resident of this state
28under this section.
29(c) Except as provided in subdivision (f) and except where
30another state has placed the individual
in the institution, an
31individual is a resident of this state if he or she is 21 years of age
32or older, is institutionalized in this state, and became incapable of
33indicating intent on or after reaching 21 years of age.
34(d) Except as provided in subdivision (f), an individual is a
35resident of this state if he or she is 21 years of age or older, is
36institutionalized in this state, and intends to reside in this state.
37(e) Except as provided in subdivision (f), an individual that is
38under 21 years of age is a resident of this state if one of the
39following apply:
P44 1(1) The individual is not residing in an institution, is capable of
2indicating intent, is married or is emancipated from his or her
3parents, is living in this state, and one of the following apply:
4(A) The individual intends to reside in this state, which includes
5an individual who does not have a fixed address.
6(B) The individual has entered this state with a job commitment
7or is seeking employment in this state, regardless of whether he
8or she is currently employed.
9(2) The individual is not described in paragraph (1) and is not
10living in an institution, and any of the following apply:
11(A) The individual resides in this state, including without a fixed
12address.
13(B) The individual resides with his or her parent or parents or
14a caretaker relative who is a resident of this state under this section.
15(3) The individual is institutionalized, is not married or
16emancipated,
and any of the following apply:
17(A) The individual’s parent or parents, or legal guardian if
18parental rights have been terminated, was a resident of this state
19under this section at the time of placement in the institution.
20(B) The individual is institutionalized in this state and his or
21her parent or parents, or legal guardian if parental rights have been
22terminated, who files the application on the individual’s behalf is
23a resident of this state under this section.
24(C) The individual is institutionalized in this state, has been
25abandoned by his or her parents, does not have a legal guardian,
26and the individual or party that files the application on the
27individual’s behalf is a resident of this state under this section.
28(f) An individual who is
receiving a state supplementary
29payment (SSP) is a resident of the state paying the SSP.
30(g) An individual who lives in this state and is receiving foster
31care or adoption assistance under Title IV-E of the federal Social
32Security Act is a resident of this state.
33(h) (1) If this state or an agent of this state arranges for an
34individual to be placed in an institution located in another state,
35the individual is a resident of this state.
36(2) The following actions do not constitute a placement by this
37state:
38(A) Providing basic information to the individual about another
39state’s Medicaid program and information about the availability
40of health care services and facilities in another state.
P45 1(B) Assisting an individual to locate an institution in another
2state when the individual is capable of indicating intent and
3independently decides to move to the other state.
4(3) When a competent individual leaves the facility in which
5he or she was placed by this state, that individual’s state of
6residence is the state where the individual is physically located.
7(4) If this state initiates a placement in another state because it
8lacks an appropriate facility to provide services to the individual,
9the individual is a resident of this state.
10(i) For the purposes of this section and Section 14007.1, the
11following definitions apply:
12(1) “Incapable of indicating intent” means when an individual
13is
considered to be any of the following:
14(A) Determined to have an I.Q. of 49 or less or to have a mental
15age of 7 years or younger based upon tests administered by a
16properly licensed mental health or developmental disabilities
17professional.
18(B) Found to be incapable of indicating intent based on medical
19documentation provided by a physician, psychologist, or other
20person licensed by the state in the field of mental health or
21developmental disabilities.
22(C) Been judicially determined to be legally incompetent.
23(2) “Institution” shall have the same meaning as that term is
24defined in Section 435.1010 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal
25Regulations. For the purposes of determining residency under
26subdivision (h), the term also includes licensed foster care
homes
27providing food, shelter, and supportive services to one or more
28persons unrelated to the proprietor.
29(j) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5 (commencing
30with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
31Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency
32regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
33The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
34pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
35department, of regulations implementing this section shall be
36deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
37to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
38of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
39the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
P46 1describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
2review by the Office of Administrative Law.
3(k) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
4that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
5federal approvals have been obtained.
6(l) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14007.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
9 is amended to read:
(a) A recipient who maintains a residence outside of
11this state for a period of at least two months shall not be eligible
12for services under this chapter where the county has made inquiry
13of the recipient pursuant to Section 11100, and where the recipient
14has not responded to this inquiry by clearly showing that he or she
15has (1) not established residence elsewhere; and (2) been prevented
16by illness or other good cause from returning to this state.
17(b) If a recipient whose services are terminated pursuant to
18subdivision (a) reapplies for services, services shall be restored
19provided all other eligibility criteria are met if this individual can
20prove both of the following:
21(1) His or her permanent residence is in this state.
22(2) That residence has not been established in any other state
23which can be considered to be of a permanent nature.
24(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
25and as of that date is repealed unless a later enacted statute, that
26is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14007.6 is added to the Welfare and
29Institutions Code, to read:
(a) A recipient who maintains a residence outside of
31this state for a period of at least two months shall not be eligible
32for services under this chapter where the county has made inquiry
33of the recipient pursuant to Section 11100, and where the recipient
34has not responded to this inquiry by clearly showing that he or she
35has (1) not established residence elsewhere; or (2) been prevented
36by illness or other good cause from returning to this state.
37(b) If a recipient whose services are terminated pursuant to
38subdivision (a) reapplies for services, services shall be restored
39provided all other eligibility criteria are met and the individual is
40considered a resident pursuant to Section 14007.15.
P47 1(c) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5
2(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
32 of the Government Code, the department shall adopt emergency
4regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
5The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
6pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
7department, of regulations implementing this section shall be
8deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
9to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
10of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
11the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
12describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
13review by the Office of Administrative Law.
14(d) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
15that federal financial participation is available and any
necessary
16federal approvals have been obtained.
17(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14008.85 of the Welfare and Institutions
20Code is amended to read:
(a) To the extent federal financial participation is
22available, a parent who is the principal wage earner shall be
23considered an unemployed parent for purposes of establishing
24eligibility based upon deprivation of a child where any of the
25following applies:
26(1) The parent works less than 100 hours per month as
27determined pursuant to the rules of the Aid to Families with
28Dependent Children program as it existed on July 16, 1996,
29including the rule allowing a temporary excess of hours due to
30intermittent work.
31(2) The total net nonexempt earned income for the family is not
32more than 100 percent of the federal poverty level as most recently
33calculated by the
federal government. The department may adopt
34additional deductions to be taken from a family’s income.
35(3) The parent is considered unemployed under the terms of an
36existing federal waiver of the 100-hour rule for recipients under
37the program established by Section 1931(b) of the federal Social
38Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396u-1).
39(b) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
4011340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
P48 1the department shall implement this section by means of an
2all-county letter or similar instruction without taking regulatory
3action. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in
4accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing
5with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
6Government Code.
7(c) This section shall
remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
8and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
9is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14011.16 of the Welfare and Institutions
11Code is amended to read:
(a) Commencing August 1, 2003, the department
13shall implement a requirement for beneficiaries to file semiannual
14status reports as part of the department’s procedures to ensure that
15beneficiaries make timely and accurate reports of any change in
16circumstance that may affect their eligibility. The department shall
17develop a simplified form to be used for this purpose. The
18department shall explore the feasibility of using a form that allows
19a beneficiary who has not had any changes to so indicate by
20checking a box and signing and returning the form.
21(b) Beneficiaries who have been granted continuous eligibility
22under Section 14005.25 shall not be required to submit semiannual
23status reports. To the extent federal financial participation is
24available, all children
under 19 years of age shall be exempt from
25the requirement to submit semiannual status reports.
26(c) For any period of time that the continuous eligibility period
27described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 14005.25
28is reduced to six months, subdivision (b) shall become inoperative,
29and all children under 19 years of age shall be required to file
30semiannual status reports.
31(d) Beneficiaries whose eligibility is based on a determination
32of disability or on their status as aged or blind shall be exempt
33from the semiannual status report requirement described in
34subdivision (a). The department may exempt other groups from
35the semiannual status report requirement as necessary for simplicity
36of administration.
37(e) When a beneficiary has completed, signed, and filed a
38semiannual status report that indicated a
change in circumstance,
39eligibility shall be redetermined.
P49 1(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
211340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
3the department shall implement this section by means of all-county
4letters or similar instructions without taking regulatory action.
5Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance
6with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
711340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
8(g) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
9federal financial participation is available.
10(h) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
11and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
12is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends
that date.
Section 14011.17 of the Welfare and Institutions
14Code is amended to read:
The following persons shall be exempt from the
16semiannual reporting requirements described in Section 14011.16:
17(a) Pregnant women whose eligibility is based on pregnancy.
18(b) Beneficiaries receiving Medi-Cal through Aid for Adoption
19of Children Program.
20(c) Beneficiaries who have a public guardian.
21(d) Medically indigent children who are not living with a parent
22or relative and who have a public agency assuming their financial
23responsibility.
24(e) Individuals receiving minor consent services.
25(f) Beneficiaries in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment
26Program.
27(g) Beneficiaries who are CalWORKs recipients and custodial
28parents whose children are CalWORKs recipients.
29(h) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
30and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
31is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14012 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
33 is amended to read:
(a) Reaffirmation shall be filed annually and may be
35required at other times in accordance with general standards
36established by the department.
37(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014,
38and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
39is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date.
Section 14012 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
2Code, to read:
(a) This section implements Section 435.916(a)(1) of
4Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which applies to the
5eligibility of Medi-Cal beneficiaries whose financial eligibility is
6determined using modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) based
7income.
8(b) To the extent required by federal law or regulations, the
9eligibility of Medi-Cal beneficiaries whose financial eligibility is
10determined using a MAGI-based income shall be renewed once
11every 12 months, and no more frequently than every 12 months.
12(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
begin insertSection 14011.66 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
14Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
(a) Effective January 1, 2014, the department shall
16provide Medi-Cal benefits during a presumptive eligibility period
17to individuals who have been determined eligible on the basis of
18preliminary information by a qualified hospital in accordance with
19Section 1396a(a)(47)(B) of Title 42 of the United States Code and
20as set forth in this section.
21(b) A hospital may only make presumptive eligibility
22determinations under this section if it complies with all of
23following:
24(1) It is a participating provider under the state plan or under
25a federal waiver under Section 1315 of Title 42 of the United States
26Code.
27(2) It has
notified the department in writing that it has elected
28to be a qualified entity for the purpose of making presumptive
29eligibility determinations.
30(3) It agrees to make presumptive eligibility determinations
31consistent with all applicable policies and procedures.
32(4) It has not been disqualified to make presumptive eligibility
33determinations by the department.
34(c) Qualified hospitals may only make presumptive eligibility
35determinations based upon income for children, pregnant women,
36parents and other caretaker relatives, and other adults, whose
37income is calculated using the applicable MAGI-based income
38standard.
P51 1(d) The department shall establish a process for determining
2whether a hospital should be disqualified from being able to make
3presumptive
eligibility determinations under this section.
4(e) For purposes of this section, “MAGI-based income” means
5income calculated using the financial methodologies described in
6Section 1396a(e)(14) of Title 42 of the United States Code, as
7added by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
8(Public Law 111-148) and as amended by the federal Health Care
9and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152)
10and any subsequent amendments.
11(f) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
12that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
13federal approvals have been obtained.
Section 14014.5 is added to the Welfare and
16Institutions Code, to read:
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to protect
18individual privacy and the integrity of Medi-Cal and other
19insurance affordability programs by restricting the disclosure of
20personal identifying information to prevent identity theft, abuse,
21or fraud in situations where an insurance affordability program
22applicant or beneficiary appoints an authorized representative to
23assist him or her in obtaining health care benefits.
24(b) The department, in consultation with the California Health
25Benefit Exchange, shall implement policies and prescribe forms,
26notices, and other safeguards to ensure the privacy and protection
27of the rights of applicants who appoint an authorized representative
28consistent with the provisions of Section 1902 of the federal
Social
29Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a) and Section 435.908 of Title
3042 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
31(c) All insurance affordability programs shall obtain completed
32authorization forms pursuant to subdivision (b) prior to making
33the final determination concerning the eligibility or renewal to
34which the authorization applies.
35(d) An authorization pursuant to this section shall do both of
36the following:
37(1) Specify what authority the applicant or beneficiary is
38granting to the authorized representative and what notices, if any,
39should be sent to the authorized representative in addition to the
40applicant or beneficiary.
P52 1(2) Be effective until the applicant or beneficiary cancels or
2modifies the authorization or appoints a new authorized
3
representative, or the authorized representative informs the agency
4that he or she is no longer acting in that capacity or there is a
5change in the legal authority on which the authority was based.
6The notice shall conform to all federal requirements.
7(e) An authorization pursuant to this section may be canceled
8or modified at any time for any reason by the insurance
9affordability program applicant or beneficiary by submitting notice
10of cancellation or modification to the appropriate insurance
11affordability program in accordance with policies and forms
12developed pursuant to subdivision (b).
13(f) The agency shall accept electronic, including telephonically
14recorded, signatures, and handwritten signatures transmitted by
15facsimile or other electronic transmission.
16(g) For purposes of this section all of the following
definitions
17shall apply:
18(1) “Authorized representative” means:
19(A) (i) Any individual appointed in writing, on a form
20designated by the department, by a competent person that is an
21applicant for or beneficiary of any insurance affordability program,
22to act in place or on behalf of the applicant or beneficiary for
23purposes related to the insurance affordability program, including,
24but not limited to, accompanying, assisting, or representing the
25applicant in the application process or the beneficiary in the
26redetermination of eligibility process, as specified by the applicant
27or beneficiary.
28(ii) Legal documentation of authority to act on behalf of the
29applicant or beneficiary under state law, including, but not limited
30to, a court order establishing legal guardianship or a valid power
31of
attorney to make health care decisions, shallbegin delete serviceend deletebegin insert serveend insert in
32place of a written appointment by the applicant or beneficiary.
33(2) “Competent” means being able to act on one’s own behalf
34in business and personal matters.
35(h) An authorized representative of an applicant or beneficiary
36of an insurance affordability program who also is employed by or
37is a contractor for any type of health care provider or facility shall
38fully disclose in writing to the applicant or beneficiary that the
39authorized representative is employed by or contracting with such
40a provider or facility and of any potential conflicts of interest.
P53 1(i) All notices
regarding the insurance affordability program,
2including, but not limited to, those related to the application,
3redetermination, or actions taken by the agency, shall be sent to
4the applicant or beneficiary, and to the authorized representative
5if authorized by the applicant or beneficiary.
6(j) (1) If an applicant or beneficiary is not competent and has
7not appointed an appropriately authorized representative pursuant
8to this section or that appointment is no longer effective, any of
9the individuals identified in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive,
10may be recognized by the hearing officer as the authorized
11representative to represent the applicant or beneficiary at the state
12hearing regarding a notice of action if, at the hearing, he or she
13demonstrates that the applicant or beneficiary is not competent
14and that lack of competency is the reason that he or she has not
15been authorized by the applicant or beneficiary to act
as the
16applicant’s or beneficiary’s authorized representative. The
17individuals that may be recognized are:
18(A) A relative of the applicant or beneficiary or a person
19appointed by the relative.
20(B) A person with knowledge of the applicant’s or beneficiary’s
21circumstances that completed and signed the statement of facts on
22the applicant’s or beneficiary’s behalf.
23(C) An applicant’s or beneficiary’s legal counsel or advocate
24working under the supervision of an attorney.
25(2) If an applicant or beneficiary is not competent and has not
26appointed an appropriately authorized representative pursuant to
27this section or that appointment is no longer effective, the hearing
28officer may allow an individual with knowledge about the
29applicant’s or beneficiary’s
circumstances to represent the applicant
30or beneficiary at the hearing if (A) the hearing officer determines
31that the representation is in the applicant or beneficiary’s best
32interests and (B) there is not a person who qualifies under
33paragraph (1) that is available to represent the applicant or
34beneficiary.
35(k) (1) begin deletePursuant to Section 435.923(e) of Title 42 of the Code begin insertA end insertprovider or staff member or volunteer
36of Federal Regulations, a end delete
37of an organization who intends to serve as an authorized
38representative shallbegin delete provideend deletebegin insert comply with, and shall provide,end insert
a
39signed written agreement that he or she will adhere tobegin delete requirements begin insert
all federal
40set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations for authorized
P54 1representatives, including Section 447.10 of Title 42, subpart F of
2Part 431 of Title 45, and Section 155.260(f) of Title 45.end delete
3and state requirements governing his or her appointment as an
4authorized representative, including, but not limited to, those
5relating to confidentiality of information, prohibitions against
6reassignment of provider claims, and conflicts of interest.end insert The
7department shall work with counties and consumer advocates to
8develop a standard agreement form that may be used for this
9purpose.
10(2) Pursuant to 435.923(e) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal
11Regulations, the regulations developed pursuant to this section
12shall require authorized
representatives to comply with all
13applicable state and federal laws regarding conflicts of interest
14and confidentiality of information.
15(3)
end delete
16begin insert(end insertbegin insert2)end insert The standard agreement form developed pursuant to
17paragraph (1) shall include a notification regarding the
18requirements of this subdivision and a statement that by signing
19the agreement, the individual named as an authorized representative
20agrees to abide by those requirements.
21(l) To the extent otherwise required by Chapter 3.5 (commencing
22with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
23Government Code, the
department shall adopt emergency
24regulations implementing this section no later than July 1, 2015.
25The department may thereafter readopt the emergency regulations
26pursuant to that chapter. The adoption and readoption, by the
27department, of regulations implementing this section shall be
28deemed to be an emergency and necessary to avoid serious harm
29to the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare for purposes
30of Sections 11346.1 and 11349.6 of the Government Code, and
31the department is hereby exempted from the requirement that it
32describe facts showing the need for immediate action and from
33review by the Office of Administrative Law.
34(m) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
35that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
36federal approvals have been obtained.
37(n) This section shall be implemented on October 1, 2013, or
38when all
necessary federal approvals have been obtained,
39whichever is later.
Section 14015.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
2Code, to read:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law,
4the department shall retain or delegate the authority to perform
5Medi-Cal eligibility determinations as set forth in this section.
6(b) If after an assessment and verification for potential eligibility
7for Medi-Cal benefits using the applicable MAGI-based income
8standard of all persons that apply through an electronic or a paper
9application processed by CalHEERS, which is jointly managed
10by the department and the Exchange, and to the extent required
11by federal law and regulation is completed, the Exchange and the
12department may electronically determine the applicant’s eligibility
13for Medi-Cal benefits using only the information initially provided
14online, or through the written application
submitted by, or on behalf
15of, the applicant, and without further staff review to verify the
16accuracy of the submitted information, the Exchange and the
17department shall determine that applicant’s eligibility for the
18Medi-Cal program using the applicable MAGI-based income
19standard.
20(c) Except as provided in subdivision (b) and Section 14015.7,
21the county of residence shall be responsible for eligibility
22determinations and ongoing case management for the Medi-Cal
23program.
24(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, the
25Exchange shall be authorized to provide information regarding
26available Medi-Cal managed health care plan selection options to
27applicants determined to be eligible for Medi-Cal benefits using
28the MAGI-based income standard and allow those applicants to
29choose an available managed health care plan.
30(2) The Exchange is authorized to record an applicant’s health
31plan selection into CalHEERS for reporting to the department.
32CalHEERS shall have the ability to report to the department the
33results of an applicant’s health plan selection.
34(e) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3511340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
36the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
37implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of
38all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar
39instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the
40department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the
P56 1requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
2Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
3six months after the effective date of this section, the department
4shall
provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual
5basis until regulations have been adopted.
6(f) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions
7shall apply:
8(1) “ACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable
9Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health
10Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law
11111-152).
12(2) “CalHEERS” means the California Healthcare Eligibility,
13Enrollment, and Retention System developed under Section 15926.
14(3) “Exchange” means the California Health Benefit Exchange
15established pursuant to Section 100500 of the Government Code.
16(4) “MAGI-based income” means income calculated using the
17financial
methodologies described in Section 1396a(e)(14) of Title
1842 of the United States Code as added by ACA and any subsequent
19amendments.
20(g) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
21that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
22federal approvals have been obtained.
23(h) This section shall become operative on October 1, 2013.
24(i) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2015, and,
25as of January 1, 2016, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
26that becomes operative on or before January 1, 2016, deletes or
27extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed.
Section 14015.7 is added to the Welfare and
29Institutions Code, to read:
(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, for persons
31who call the customer service center operated by the Exchange
32for the purpose of applying for an insurance affordability program,
33the Exchange shall implement a workflow transfer protocol that
34consists of only those questions that are essential to reliably
35ascertain whether the caller’s household appears to include any
36individuals who are potentially eligible for Medi-Cal benefits and
37to determine an appropriate point of referral. The workflow transfer
38protocol and referral procedures used by the Exchange shall be
39developed and implemented in conjunction with and subject to
40review and approval by the department.
P57 1(2) (A) Except as provided in paragraph
(3), if, after applying
2the transfer protocol specified in paragraph (1), the Exchange
3determines that the caller’s household appears to include one or
4more individuals who are potentially eligible for Medi-Cal benefits
5using the applicable MAGI-based income standard, the Exchange
6shall refer the caller to his or her county of residence or other
7appropriate county resource for completion of the federally required
8assessment. The county shall proceed with the assessment and also
9perform any required eligibility determination.
10(B) Subject to any income limitations that may be imposed by
11the Exchange, and subject to review and approval from the
12department, if after applying the transfer protocol specified in
13paragraph (1) the Exchange determines that the caller’s household
14appears to include an individual who is pregnant, or who is
15potentially eligible for Medi-Cal benefits on a basis other than
16using a MAGI-based income standard because an
applicant is
17potentially disabled, 65 years of age or older, or potentially in need
18of long-term care services, the Exchange shall refer the caller to
19his or her county of residence or other appropriate county resource
20for completion of the federally required assessment. The county
21shall proceed with the assessment and also perform any required
22eligibility determination.
23(3) Notwithstanding any other law, only during the initial open
24enrollment period established by the Exchange, and in no case
25after June 30, 2014, if after applying the transfer protocol specified
26in paragraph (1) the Exchange determines that the caller’s
27household appears to include both individuals who are potentially
28eligible for Medi-Cal benefits using the applicable MAGI-based
29income standard and individuals who are not potentially eligible
30for Medi-Cal benefits, the Exchange shall proceed with its
31assessment and if it is subsequently determined that an applicant
32or
applicants are potentially eligible for Medi-Cal benefits using
33the applicable MAGI-based income standard, the Exchange shall
34initially determine the applicant or applicants eligibility for
35Medi-Cal benefits. If determined eligible, the applicant’s or
36applicants’ coverage shall start on January 1, 2014, or on the date
37of the determination, whichever is later. The county of residence
38shall be responsible for final confirmation of eligibility
39determinations relying on data provided by and verifications done
40by the Exchange and the county shall perform only that additional
P58 1work that is necessary for the county to prepare and send out the
2required notice to the applicant regarding the result of the eligibility
3determination and shall not impose any additional burdens upon
4the applicant. The county of residence shall be responsible for
5sending out the required notices of all Medi-Cal eligibility
6determinations.
7(4) Notwithstanding any other law, if
after applying the transfer
8protocol specified in paragraph (1) the Exchange determines that
9the caller’s household appears to only include individuals who are
10not potentially eligible for Medi-Cal benefits, the Exchange shall
11proceed with its assessment of eligibility. If it is subsequently
12determined that an applicant or applicants are potentially eligible
13for Medi-Cal benefits using the applicable MAGI-based income
14standard, the Exchange shall initially determine the applicant or
15applicants eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits. If determined eligible,
16the applicant’s or applicants’ coverage shall start on January 1,
172014, or on the date of the determination, whichever is later. The
18county of residence shall be responsible for final confirmation of
19eligibility determinations relying on data provided by and
20verifications done by the Exchange and the county shall perform
21only that additional work that is necessary for the county to prepare
22and send out the required notice to the applicant regarding the
23result
of the eligibility determination and shall not impose any
24additional burdens upon the applicant. The county of residence
25shall be responsible for sending out the required notices of all
26Medi-Cal eligibility determinations.
27(5) Subject to any income limitations that may be imposed by
28the Exchange, and subject to review and approval from the
29department, if after assessing the potential eligibility of an
30applicant, which shall include enrolling the individual in
31Exchange-based coverage if eligible and, if the determination is
32being made pursuant to subdivision (3), determining initial
33eligibility for MAGI-based Medi-Cal, the Exchange determines
34that the applicant is pregnant, or is potentially eligible for Medi-Cal
35benefits on a basis other than using a MAGI-based income standard
36because the applicant is potentially disabled, 65 years of age or
37older, or potentially in need of long-term care services, or if the
38applicant requests a full Medi-Cal
eligibility determination, the
39Exchange shall, consistent with federal law and regulations,
40transmit all information provided by or on behalf of the applicant,
P59 1and any information obtained or verified by the Exchange, to the
2applicant’s county of residence or other appropriate county resource
3via secure electronic interface, promptly and without undue delay,
4for a full Medi-Cal eligibility determination.
5(6) Except as otherwise provided in this section and subdivision
6(b) of Section 14015.5, the county of residence shall be responsible
7for eligibility determinations and ongoing case management for
8the Medi-Cal program.
9(7) Implementation of the protocols and referral procedures in
10this subdivision shall be subject to the terms specified in the
11agreements established under subdivision (b).
12(b) The department,
Exchange, and each county consortia shall
13jointly enter into an interagency agreement that specifies the
14operational parameters and performance standards pertaining to
15the transfer protocol. After consulting with counties, consumer
16advocates, and labor organizations that represent employees of the
17customer service center operated by the Exchange and employees
18of county customer service centers, the Exchange and the
19department shall determine and implement the performance
20standards that shall be incorporated into these agreements.
21(c) Prior to October 1, 2014, the Exchange and the department,
22in consultation with counties, consumer advocates, and labor
23organizations that represent employees of the customer service
24center operated by the Exchange and employees of county customer
25service centers, shall review and determine the efficacy of the
26enrollment procedures established in this section.
27(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
2811340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
29the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
30implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of
31all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar
32instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the
33department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the
34requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
35Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
36six months after the effective date of this section, the department
37shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual
38basis until regulations have been adopted.
39(e) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions
40shall apply:
P60 1(1) “ACA” means the federal Patient
Protection and Affordable
2Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health
3Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law
4111-152).
5(2) “CalHEERS” means the California Healthcare Eligibility,
6Enrollment, and Retention System developed under Section 15926.
7(3) “Exchange” means the California Health Benefit Exchange
8established pursuant to Section 100500 of the Government Code.
9(4) “MAGI-based income” means income calculated using the
10financial methodologies described in Section 1396a(e)(14) of Title
1142 of the United States Code as added by ACA and any subsequent
12amendments.
13(f) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent
14that federal financial participation is available and any necessary
15federal approvals have
been obtained.
16(g) This section shall become operative on October 1, 2013.
Section 14055 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
18Code, to read:
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, “caretaker relative”
20means a relative of a dependent child by blood, adoption, or
21marriage with whom the child is living, who assumes primary
22responsibility for the child’s care, and who is one of the following:
23(1) The child’s father, mother, grandfather, grandmother,
24brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, great
25grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, great-great grandparent,
26great uncle or aunt, first cousin, great-great-great grandparent,
27great-great uncle or aunt, or first cousin once removed.
28(2) The spouse or registered domestic partner of one of the
29relatives identified in paragraph (1), even after the marriage
is
30terminated by death or divorce or the domestic partnership has
31been legally terminated.
32(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14057 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
35Code, to read:
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, “insurance
37affordability program” means a program that is one of the
38following:
39(1) The state’s Medi-Cal program under Title XIX of the federal
40Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.).
P61 1(2) The state’s children’s health insurance program (CHIP)
2under Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
31397aa et seq.).
4(3) A program that makes available to qualified applicants
5coverage in a qualified health plan through the California Health
6Benefit Exchange, established pursuant to Title 22 (commencing
7with Section 100500) of the Government Code, with advance
8
payment of the premium tax credit established under Section 36B
9of the Internal Revenue Code.
10(4) A program that makes available coverage in a qualified
11health plan through the California Health Benefit Exchange,
12established pursuant to Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500)
13of the Government Code, with cost-sharing reductions established
14under Section 1402 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable
15Care Act (Public Law 111-148), and any subsequent amendments
16to that act.
17(b) This section shall become operative onbegin delete January 1, 2014end delete
18begin insert October 1, 2013end insert.
Section 14102 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
21Code, to read:
(a) begin delete(1)end deletebegin delete end deleteNotwithstanding any otherbegin insert provision ofend insert law
23and except as otherwise provided in this section, any individual
24who is 21 years of age or older, who does not have minor children
25eligible forbegin delete Medi-Cal,end deletebegin insert Medi-Calend insertbegin insert benefitsend insert
and would be eligible for
26begin delete full-scopeend delete Medi-Cal benefits pursuant to Section
271902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of Title XIX of the federal Social Security
28Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII)) but for the five-year
29eligibility limitation under Section 1613 of Title 8 of the United
30Statesbegin delete Codeend deletebegin insert Code,end insert and who begin deleteis otherwise eligible for state-only
31funded full-scope benefits shall be ineligible for those state-only
32funded benefits if he or she is eligible for, and is not barred from
33enrolling in because he or she is outside of an available enrollment
34period for coverage with an advanced premium tax credit offered
35
through the Exchange.end delete
36Exchange with an advanced premium tax credit shall be eligible
37for the following:end insert
38(2) On or after January 1, 2015, if an individual is eligible for
39and does not enroll in coverage offered through the Exchange with
40an advanced premium tax credit during his or her first available
P62 1enrollment period, that individual shall be ineligible for the
2state-only funded benefits referenced in paragraph (1), except as
3provided in paragraph (3).
4(3) An individual shall be ineligible for Medi-Cal pursuant to
5this section only if and when he or she is able to receive the
6premium assistance, cost sharing, and benefits described in
7subdivision (c). Disenrollment from state-only Medi-Cal shall only
8occur during an available enrollment period in the Exchange.
9(4) The department shall inform and assist such individuals on
10enrolling in coverage through the Exchange with the premium
11assistance, cost
sharing, and benefits described in subdivision (c)
12and the process for disenrollment from Medi-Cal, if applicable, in
13a way that ensures seamless transition between coverage, including,
14but not limited to, developing processes to coordinate with the
15county entities that administer eligibility for coverage in Medi-Cal
16and the Exchange.
17(b) (1) An individual who is a state-only Medi-Cal person as
18defined in Section 14052 shall not be subject to subdivision (a) or
19(c).
20(c) An individual subject to subdivision (a) who is enrolled in
21coverage through the Exchange with an advanced premium tax
22credit shall be eligible for the following:
23(1) Those Medi-Cal benefits for which he or she would have
24been eligible but for the five-year eligibility limitation only to the
25extent that they are not available through his or her individual
26health plan.
27(2) The department shall pay on behalf of the beneficiary:
28(A) The beneficiary’s insurance premium costs for an individual
29health plan, minus the beneficiary’s premium tax credit authorized
30by Section 36B of Title 26 of the United States Code and its
31implementing regulations.
32(B) The beneficiary’s cost-sharing charges so that the individual
33has the same cost-sharing charges as he or she would have in the
34Medi-Cal program.
35(b) (1) If
an individual is eligible for benefits under subdivision
36(a) and he or she is otherwise eligible for state-only funded
37full-scope benefits, but (A) he or she is barred from enrolling in
38an Exchange qualified health plan because he or she is outside of
39an available enrollment period for coverage or (B) the Exchange
40and the department do not have the operational capability to
P63 1implement the benefits under subdivision (a), he or she shall remain
2eligible for those state-only funded benefits subject to paragraph
3(2).
4(2) On the first date that an individual referenced in paragraph
5(1) is eligible for and can enroll in coverage under a qualified
6health plan offered through the Exchange, he or she shall be
7ineligible for the state-only funded full-scope benefits referenced
8in paragraph (1) unless the Exchange and the department do not
9have the operational capability to implement the benefits under
10subdivision (a).
11(c) The department shall inform and assist individuals eligible
12under this section on enrolling in coverage through the Exchange
13with the premium assistance, cost sharing, and benefits described
14in subdivision (a), including, but not limited to, developing
15processes to coordinate with the county entities that administer
16eligibility for coverage in Medi-Cal and the Exchange.
17(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
18apply:
19(1) “Cost-sharing charges” means any expenditure required by
20or on behalf of an enrollee by his or her individual health plan with
21respect to essential health benefits and includes deductibles,
22coinsurance, copayments, or similar charges, but excludes
23premiums, and spending for noncovered services.
24(2) “Exchange” means the California Health Benefit Exchange
25established pursuant to Section 100500 of the Government Code.
26(e) Benefits for services under this section shall be provided
27with state-only funds only if federal financial participation is not
28available for those services. The department shall maximize federal
29financial participation in implementing this section to the extent
30allowable.
31(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3211340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
33the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
34implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of
35all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar
36instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the
37department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the
38requirements of Chapter
3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
39Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
40six months after the effective date of this section, the department
P64 1shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual
2basis until regulations have been adopted.
3(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 14102.5 is added to the Welfare and
5Institutions Code, to read:
(a) The department shall, in collaboration with the
7Exchange, the counties, consumer advocates, and the Statewide
8Automated Welfare System consortia, develop and prepare one or
9more reports that shall be issued on at least a quarterly basis and
10shall be made publicly available within 30 days following the end
11of each quarter, for the purpose of informing the California Health
12and Human Services Agency, the Exchange, the Legislature, and
13the public about the enrollment process for all insurance
14affordability programs. The reports shall comply with federal
15reporting requirements and shall, at a minimum, include the
16following information, to be derived from, as appropriate
17depending on the data element, CalHEERS, MEDS, or the
18Statewide Automated Welfare System:
19(1) For applications received for insurance affordability
20programs through any venue, all of the following:
21(A) The number of applications received through each venue.
22(B) The number of applicants included on those applications.
23(C) Applicant demographics, including, but not limited to,
24gender, age, race, ethnicity, and primary language.
25(D) The disposition of applications, including all of the
26following:
27(i) The number of eligibility determinations that resulted in an
28approval for coverage.
29(ii) The program or programs for which the individuals in clause
30(i) were
determined eligible.
31(iii) The number of applications that were denied for any
32coverage and the reason or reasons for the denials.
33(E) The number of days for eligibility determinations.
34(2) With regard to health plan selection, all of the following:
35(A) The health plans that are selected by applicants enrolled in
36an insurance affordability program, reported by the program.
37(B) The number of Medi-Cal enrollees who do not select a health
38plan but are defaulted into a plan.
39(3) For annual redeterminations conducted for beneficiaries, all
40of the following:
P65 1(A) The number of redeterminations processed.
2(B) The number of redeterminations that resulted in continued
3eligibility for the same program.
4(C) The number of redeterminations that resulted in a change
5in eligibility to a different program.
6(D) The number of redeterminations that resulted in a finding
7of ineligibility for any program and the reason or reasons for the
8findings of ineligibility.
9(E) The number of days for redeterminations to be completed.
10(4) With regard to disenrollments not related to a
11redetermination of eligibility, all of the following:
12(A) The number of beneficiary disenrollments.
13(B) The reasons for the disenrollments.
14(C) The number of disenrollments that are caused by an
15individual disenrolling from one insurance affordability program
16and enrolling into another.
17(5) The number of applications for insurance affordability
18programs that were filed with the help of an assister or navigator.
19(6) The total number of grievances and appeals filed by
20applicants and enrollees regarding eligibility for insurance
21affordability programs, the basis for the grievance, and the
22outcomes of the appeals.
23(b) The department shall collect the information necessary for
24these reports and develop these reports using data obtained from
25the Statewide Automated Welfare System, CalHEERS, MEDS,
26
and any other appropriate state information management systems.
27(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
28apply:
29(1) “CalHEERS” means the California Healthcare Eligibility,
30Enrollment, and Retention System developed under Section 15926.
31(2) “Exchange” means the California Health Benefit Exchange
32established pursuant to Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500)
33of the Government Code.
34(3) “Statewide Automated Welfare System” means the system
35developed pursuant to Section 10823.
36(4) “MEDS” means the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System.
37(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3811340) of Part
1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
39the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
40implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of
P66 1all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar
2instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the
3department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the
4requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
5Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
6six months after the effective date of this section, the department
7shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual
8basis until regulations have been adopted.
9(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
begin insertSection 14103 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions
11Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
(a) The implementation of the optional expansion of
13Medi-Cal benefits to adults who meet the eligibility requirements
14of Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of Title XIX of the federal Social
15Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII)), shall be
16contingent upon the following:
17(1) If the federal medical assistance percentage payable to the
18state under the ACA for the optional expansion of Medi-Cal
19benefits to adults is reduced below 90 percent, that reduction shall
20be addressed in a timely manner through the annual state budget
21or legislative process. Upon receiving notification of any reduction
22in federal assistance pursuant to this paragraph, the Director of
23Finance shall immediately notify the Chairpersons of the Senate
24and Assembly
Health Committees and the Chairperson of the Joint
25Legislative Budget Committee.
26(2) If, prior to January 1, 2018, the federal medical assistance
27percentage payable to the state under the ACA for the optional
28expansion of Medi-Cal benefits to adults is reduced to 70 percent
29or less, the implementation of any provision in this chapter
30authorizing the optional expansion of Medi-Cal benefits to adults
31shall cease 12 months after the effective date of the federal law or
32other action reducing the federal medical assistance percentage.
33(b) For purposes of this section, “ACA” means the federal
34Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148)
35as originally enacted and as amended by the federal Health Care
36and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152)
37and any subsequent amendments.
Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
40 is amended to read:
The following is the schedule of benefits under this
2chapter:
3(a) Outpatient services are covered as follows:
4Physician, hospital or clinic outpatient, surgical center,
5respiratory care, optometric, chiropractic, psychology, podiatric,
6occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology,
7acupuncture to the extent federal matching funds are provided for
8acupuncture, and services of persons rendering treatment by prayer
9or healing by spiritual means in the practice of any church or
10religious denomination insofar as these can be encompassed by
11federal participation under an approved plan, subject to utilization
12controls.
13(b) (1) Inpatient hospital
services, including, but not limited
14to, physician and podiatric services, physical therapy and
15occupational therapy, are covered subject to utilization controls.
16(2) For Medi-Cal fee-for-service beneficiaries, emergency
17services and care that are necessary for the treatment of an
18emergency medical condition and medical care directly related to
19the emergency medical condition. This paragraph shall not be
20construed to change the obligation of Medi-Cal managed care
21plans to provide emergency services and care. For the purposes of
22this paragraph, “emergency services and care” and “emergency
23medical condition” shall have the same meanings as those terms
24are defined in Section 1317.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
25(c) Nursing facility services, subacute care services, and services
26provided by any category of intermediate care facility for the
27developmentally disabled, including
podiatry, physician, nurse
28practitioner services, and prescribed drugs, as described in
29subdivision (d), are covered subject to utilization controls.
30Respiratory care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech
31therapy, and audiology services for patients in nursing facilities
32and any category of intermediate care facility for the
33developmentally disabled are covered subject to utilization controls.
34(d) (1) Purchase of prescribed drugs is covered subject to the
35Medi-Cal List of Contract Drugs and utilization controls.
36(2) Purchase of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction or any
37off-label uses of those drugs are covered only to the extent that
38federal financial participation is available.
39(3) (A) To the extent required by federal law, the purchase of
40outpatient
prescribed drugs, for which the prescription is executed
P68 1by a prescriber in written, nonelectronic form on or after April 1,
22008, is covered only when executed on a tamper resistant
3prescription form. The implementation of this paragraph shall
4conform to the guidance issued by the federal Centers for Medicare
5and Medicaid Services but shall not conflict with state statutes on
6the characteristics of tamper resistant prescriptions for controlled
7substances, including Section 11162.1 of the Health and Safety
8Code. The department shall provide providers and beneficiaries
9with as much flexibility in implementing these rules as allowed
10by the federal government. The department shall notify and consult
11with appropriate stakeholders in implementing, interpreting, or
12making specific this paragraph.
13(B) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
1411340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
15the department may take the
actions specified in subparagraph (A)
16by means of a provider bulletin or notice, policy letter, or other
17similar instructions without taking regulatory action.
18(4) (A) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, nonlegend has
19the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section
2014105.45.
21(ii) Nonlegend acetaminophen-containing products, with the
22exception of children’s acetaminophen-containing products,
23selected by the department are not covered benefits.
24(iii) Nonlegend cough and cold products selected by the
25department are not covered benefits. This clause shall be
26implemented on the first day of the first calendar month following
2790 days after the effective date of the act that added this clause,
28or on the first day of the first calendar month following 60 days
29after
the date the department secures all necessary federal approvals
30to implement this section, whichever is later.
31(iv) Beneficiaries under the Early and Periodic Screening,
32Diagnosis, and Treatment Program shall be exempt from clauses
33(ii) and (iii).
34(B) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
3511340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
36the department may take the actions specified in subparagraph (A)
37by means of a provider bulletin or notice, policy letter, or other
38similar instruction without taking regulatory action.
39(e) Outpatient dialysis services and home hemodialysis services,
40including physician services, medical supplies, drugs and
P69 1equipment required for dialysis, are covered, subject to utilization
2controls.
3(f) Anesthesiologist services when provided as part of an
4outpatient medical procedure, nurse anesthetist services when
5rendered in an inpatient or outpatient setting under conditions set
6forth by the director, outpatient laboratory services, and X-ray
7services are covered, subject to utilization controls. Nothing in
8this subdivision shall be construed to require prior authorization
9for anesthesiologist services provided as part of an outpatient
10medical procedure or for portable X-ray services in a nursing
11facility or any category of intermediate care facility for the
12developmentally disabled.
13(g) Blood and blood derivatives are covered.
14(h) (1) Emergency and essential diagnostic and restorative
15dental services, except for orthodontic, fixed bridgework, and
16partial dentures that are not necessary for balance of a complete
17artificial denture, are
covered, subject to utilization controls. The
18utilization controls shall allow emergency and essential diagnostic
19and restorative dental services and prostheses that are necessary
20to prevent a significant disability or to replace previously furnished
21prostheses which are lost or destroyed due to circumstances beyond
22the beneficiary’s control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
23director may by regulation provide for certain fixed artificial
24dentures necessary for obtaining employment or for medical
25conditions that preclude the use of removable dental prostheses,
26and for orthodontic services in cleft palate deformities administered
27by the department’s California Children Services Program.
28(2) For persons 21 years of age or older, the services specified
29in paragraph (1) shall be provided subject to the following
30conditions:
31(A) Periodontal treatment is not a benefit.
32(B) Endodontic therapy is not a benefit except for vital
33pulpotomy.
34(C) Laboratory processed crowns are not a benefit.
35(D) Removable prosthetics shall be a benefit only for patients
36as a requirement for employment.
37(E) The director may, by regulation, provide for the provision
38of fixed artificial dentures that are necessary for medical conditions
39that preclude the use of removable dental prostheses.
P70 1(F) Notwithstanding the conditions specified in subparagraphs
2(A) to (E), inclusive, the department may approve services for
3persons with special medical disorders subject to utilization review.
4(3) Paragraph (2) shall become inoperative July 1, 1995.
5(i) Medical transportation is covered, subject to utilization
6controls.
7(j) Home health care services are covered, subject to utilization
8controls.
9(k) Prosthetic and orthotic devices and eyeglasses are covered,
10subject to utilization controls. Utilization controls shall allow
11replacement of prosthetic and orthotic devices and eyeglasses
12necessary because of loss or destruction due to circumstances
13beyond the beneficiary’s control. Frame styles for eyeglasses
14replaced pursuant to this subdivision shall not change more than
15once every two years, unless the department so directs.
16Orthopedic and conventional shoes are covered when provided
17by a prosthetic and orthotic supplier on the prescription of a
18physician and when at least one of the shoes will
be attached to a
19prosthesis or brace, subject to utilization controls. Modification
20of stock conventional or orthopedic shoes when medically
21indicated, is covered subject to utilization controls. When there is
22a clearly established medical need that cannot be satisfied by the
23modification of stock conventional or orthopedic shoes,
24custom-made orthopedic shoes are covered, subject to utilization
25controls.
26Therapeutic shoes and inserts are covered when provided to
27beneficiaries with a diagnosis of diabetes, subject to utilization
28controls, to the extent that federal financial participation is
29available.
30(l) Hearing aids are covered, subject to utilization controls.
31Utilization controls shall allow replacement of hearing aids
32necessary because of loss or destruction due to circumstances
33beyond the beneficiary’s control.
34(m) Durable medical
equipment and medical supplies are
35covered, subject to utilization controls. The utilization controls
36shall allow the replacement of durable medical equipment and
37medical supplies when necessary because of loss or destruction
38due to circumstances beyond the beneficiary’s control. The
39utilization controls shall allow authorization of durable medical
40equipment needed to assist a disabled beneficiary in caring for a
P71 1child for whom the disabled beneficiary is a parent, stepparent,
2foster parent, or legal guardian, subject to the availability of federal
3financial participation. The department shall adopt emergency
4regulations to define and establish criteria for assistive durable
5medical equipment in accordance with the rulemaking provisions
6of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing
7with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
8Government Code).
9(n) Family planning services are covered, subject to utilization
10
controls.
11(o) Inpatient intensive rehabilitation hospital services, including
12respiratory rehabilitation services, in a general acute care hospital
13are covered, subject to utilization controls, when either of the
14following criteria are met:
15(1) A patient with a permanent disability or severe impairment
16requires an inpatient intensive rehabilitation hospital program as
17described in Section 14064 to develop function beyond the limited
18amount that would occur in the normal course of recovery.
19(2) A patient with a chronic or progressive disease requires an
20inpatient intensive rehabilitation hospital program as described in
21Section 14064 to maintain the patient’s present functional level as
22long as possible.
23(p) (1) Adult day health
care is covered in accordance with
24Chapter 8.7 (commencing with Section 14520).
25(2) Commencing 30 days after the effective date of the act that
26added this paragraph, and notwithstanding the number of days
27previously approved through a treatment authorization request,
28adult day health care is covered for a maximum of three days per
29week.
30(3) As provided in accordance with paragraph (4), adult day
31health care is covered for a maximum of five days per week.
32(4) As of the date that the director makes the declaration
33described in subdivision (g) of Section 14525.1, paragraph (2)
34shall become inoperative and paragraph (3) shall become operative.
35(q) (1) Application of fluoride, or other appropriate fluoride
36treatment as defined by the
department, other prophylaxis treatment
37for children 17 years of age and under, are covered.
38(2) All dental hygiene services provided by a registered dental
39hygienist in alternative practice pursuant to Sections 1768 and
401770 of the Business and Professions Code may be covered as
P72 1long as they are within the scope of Denti-Cal benefits and they
2are necessary services provided by a registered dental hygienist
3in alternative practice.
4(r) (1) Paramedic services performed by a city, county, or
5special district, or pursuant to a contract with a city, county, or
6special district, and pursuant to a program established under Article
73 (commencing with Section 1480) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 2
8of the Health and Safety Code by a paramedic certified pursuant
9to that article, and consisting of defibrillation and those services
10specified in subdivision (3) of Section
1482 of the article.
11(2) All providers enrolled under this subdivision shall satisfy
12all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for becoming
13a Medi-Cal provider.
14(3) This subdivision shall be implemented only to the extent
15funding is available under Section 14106.6.
16(s) In-home medical care services are covered when medically
17appropriate and subject to utilization controls, for beneficiaries
18who would otherwise require care for an extended period of time
19in an acute care hospital at a cost higher than in-home medical
20care services. The director shall have the authority under this
21section to contract with organizations qualified to provide in-home
22medical care services to those persons. These services may be
23provided to patients placed in shared or congregate living
24arrangements, if a home setting is not
medically appropriate or
25available to the beneficiary. As used in this section, “in-home
26medical care service” includes utility bills directly attributable to
27continuous, 24-hour operation of life-sustaining medical equipment,
28to the extent that federal financial participation is available.
29As used in this subdivision, in-home medical care services,
30include, but are not limited to:
31(1) Level of care and cost of care evaluations.
32(2) Expenses, directly attributable to home care activities, for
33materials.
34(3) Physician fees for home visits.
35(4) Expenses directly attributable to home care activities for
36shelter and modification to shelter.
37(5) Expenses directly attributable to additional costs of special
38diets, including tube feeding.
39(6) Medically related personal services.
40(7) Home nursing education.
P73 1(8) Emergency maintenance repair.
2(9) Home health agency personnel benefits which permit
3coverage of care during periods when regular personnel are on
4vacation or using sick leave.
5(10) All services needed to maintain antiseptic conditions at
6stoma or shunt sites on the body.
7(11) Emergency and nonemergency medical transportation.
8(12) Medical supplies.
9(13) Medical equipment, including, but not limited to, scales,
10gurneys, and equipment racks suitable for paralyzed patients.
11(14) Utility use directly attributable to the requirements of home
12care activities which are in addition to normal utility use.
13(15) Special drugs and medications.
14(16) Home health agency supervision of visiting staff which is
15medically necessary, but not included in the home health agency
16rate.
17(17) Therapy services.
18(18) Household appliances and household utensil costs directly
19attributable to home care activities.
20(19) Modification of medical equipment for home use.
21(20) Training and orientation for use of life-support systems,
22including, but not limited to, support of respiratory functions.
23(21) Respiratory care practitioner services as defined in Sections
243702 and 3703 of the Business and Professions Code, subject to
25prescription by a physician and surgeon.
26Beneficiaries receiving in-home medical care services are entitled
27to the full range of services within the Medi-Cal scope of benefits
28as defined by this section, subject to medical necessity and
29applicable utilization control. Services provided pursuant to this
30subdivision, which are not otherwise included in the Medi-Cal
31schedule of benefits, shall be available only to the extent that
32federal financial participation for these services is available in
33accordance with a home- and community-based services
waiver.
34(t) Home- and community-based services approved by the
35United States Department of Health and Human Servicesbegin delete may beend delete
36begin insert are end insert covered to the extent that federal financial participation is
37available for those services underbegin insert the state plan orend insert waivers granted
38in accordance with Sectionbegin insert
1315 or end insert 1396n of Title 42 of the United
39States Code. The director may seek waivers for any or all home-
40and community-based services approvable under Sectionbegin insert 1315 orend insert
P74 1 1396n of Title 42 of the United States Code. Coverage for those
2services shall be limited by the terms, conditions, and duration of
3the federal waivers.
4(u) Comprehensive perinatal services, as provided through an
5agreement with a health care provider designated in Section
614134.5 and meeting the standards developed by the department
7pursuant to Section 14134.5, subject to utilization controls.
8The department shall seek any federal waivers necessary to
9implement the provisions of this subdivision. The provisions for
10which appropriate federal waivers cannot be obtained shall not be
11implemented.
Provisions for which waivers are obtained or for
12which waivers are not required shall be implemented
13notwithstanding any inability to obtain federal waivers for the
14other provisions. No provision of this subdivision shall be
15implemented unless matching funds from Subchapter XIX
16(commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the
17United States Code are available.
18(v) Early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for
19any individual under 21 years of age is covered, consistent with
20the requirements of Subchapter XIX (commencing with Section
211396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.
22(w) Hospice service which is Medicare-certified hospice service
23is covered, subject to utilization controls. Coverage shall be
24available only to the extent that no additional net program costs
25are incurred.
26(x) When a claim for treatment provided to a beneficiary
27includes both services which are authorized and reimbursable
28under this chapter, and services which are not reimbursable under
29this chapter, that portion of the claim for the treatment and services
30authorized and reimbursable under this chapter shall be payable.
31(y) Home- and community-based services approved by the
32United States Department of Health and Human Services for
33beneficiaries with a diagnosis of AIDS or ARC, who require
34intermediate care or a higher level of care.
35Services provided pursuant to a waiver obtained from the
36Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human
37Services pursuant to this subdivision, and which are not otherwise
38included in the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits, shall be available
39only to the extent that federal financial participation for these
40services is available in accordance with the
waiver, and subject to
P75 1the terms, conditions, and duration of the waiver. These services
2shall be provided to individual beneficiaries in accordance with
3the client’s needs as identified in the plan of care, and subject to
4medical necessity and applicable utilization control.
5The director may under this section contract with organizations
6qualified to provide, directly or by subcontract, services provided
7for in this subdivision to eligible beneficiaries. Contracts or
8agreements entered into pursuant to this division shall not be
9subject to the Public Contract Code.
10(z) Respiratory care when provided in organized health care
11systems as defined in Section 3701 of the Business and Professions
12Code, and as an in-home medical service as outlined in subdivision
13(s).
14(aa) (1) There is hereby established in the department,
a
15program to provide comprehensive clinical family planning
16services to any person who has a family income at or below 200
17percent of the federal poverty level, as revised annually, and who
18is eligible to receive these services pursuant to the waiver identified
19in paragraph (2). This program shall be known as the Family
20Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) Program.
21(2) The department shall seek a waiver in accordance with
22Section 1315 of Title 42 of the United States Code, or a state plan
23amendment adopted in accordance with Section
241396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXI) of Title 42 of the United States Code,
25which was added to Section 1396a of Title 42 of the United States
26Code by Section 2303(a)(2) of the federal Patient Protection and
27Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (Public Law 111-148), for a
28program to provide comprehensive clinical family planning
29services as described in paragraph (8). Under the waiver, the
30program shall be operated only in
accordance with the waiver and
31the statutes and regulations in paragraph (4) and subject to the
32terms, conditions, and duration of the waiver. Under the state plan
33amendment, which shall replace the waiver and shall be known as
34the Family PACT successor state plan amendment, the program
35shall be operated only in accordance with this subdivision and the
36statutes and regulations in paragraph (4). The state shall use the
37standards and processes imposed by the state on January 1, 2007,
38including the application of an eligibility discount factor to the
39extent required by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
40Services, for purposes of determining eligibility as permitted under
P76 1Section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXI) of Title 42 of the United States
2Code. To the extent that federal financial participation is available,
3the program shall continue to conduct education, outreach,
4enrollment, service delivery, and evaluation services as specified
5under the waiver. The services shall be provided under the program
6only
if the waiver and, when applicable, the successor state plan
7amendment are approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and
8Medicaid Services and only to the extent that federal financial
9participation is available for the services. Nothing in this section
10shall prohibit the department from seeking the Family PACT
11successor state plan amendment during the operation of the waiver.
12(3) Solely for the purposes of the waiver or Family PACT
13successor state plan amendment and notwithstanding any other
14provision of law, the collection and use of an individual’s social
15security number shall be necessary only to the extent required by
16federal law.
17(4) Sections 14105.3 to 14105.39, inclusive, 14107.11, 24005,
18and 24013, and any regulations adopted under these statutes shall
19apply to the program provided for under this subdivision. No other
20provision of law under the Medi-Cal program or the
State-Only
21Family Planning Program shall apply to the program provided for
22under this subdivision.
23(5) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
2411340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
25the department may implement, without taking regulatory action,
26the provisions of the waiver after its approval by the federal Health
27Care Financing Administration and the provisions of this section
28by means of an all-county letter or similar instruction to providers.
29Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to implement
30this section and the approved waiver in accordance with the
31requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of
32Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning
33six months after the effective date of the act adding this
34subdivision, the department shall provide a status report to the
35Legislature on a semiannual basis until regulations have been
36adopted.
37(6) In the event that the Department of Finance determines that
38the program operated under the authority of the waiver described
39in paragraph (2) or the Family PACT successor state plan
40amendment is no longer cost effective, this subdivision shall
P77 1become inoperative on the first day of the first month following
2the issuance of a 30-day notification of that determination in
3writing by the Department of Finance to the chairperson in each
4house that considers appropriations, the chairpersons of the
5committees, and the appropriate subcommittees in each house that
6considers the State Budget, and the Chairperson of the Joint
7Legislative Budget Committee.
8(7) If this subdivision ceases to be operative, all persons who
9have received or are eligible to receive comprehensive clinical
10family planning services pursuant to the waiver described in
11paragraph (2) shall receive family planning
services under the
12Medi-Cal program pursuant to subdivision (n) if they are otherwise
13eligible for Medi-Cal with no share of cost, or shall receive
14comprehensive clinical family planning services under the program
15established in Division 24 (commencing with Section 24000) either
16if they are eligible for Medi-Cal with a share of cost or if they are
17otherwise eligible under Section 24003.
18(8) For purposes of this subdivision, “comprehensive clinical
19family planning services” means the process of establishing
20objectives for the number and spacing of children, and selecting
21the means by which those objectives may be achieved. These
22means include a broad range of acceptable and effective methods
23and services to limit or enhance fertility, including contraceptive
24methods, federal Food and Drug Administration approved
25contraceptive drugs, devices, and supplies, natural family planning,
26abstinence methods, and basic, limited fertility management.
27
Comprehensive clinical family planning services include, but are
28not limited to, preconception counseling, maternal and fetal health
29counseling, general reproductive health care, including diagnosis
30and treatment of infections and conditions, including cancer, that
31threaten reproductive capability, medical family planning treatment
32and procedures, including supplies and followup, and
33informational, counseling, and educational services.
34Comprehensive clinical family planning services shall not include
35abortion, pregnancy testing solely for the purposes of referral for
36abortion or services ancillary to abortions, or pregnancy care that
37is not incident to the diagnosis of pregnancy. Comprehensive
38clinical family planning services shall be subject to utilization
39control and include all of the following:
P78 1(A) Family planning related services and male and female
2sterilization. Family planning services for men and women shall
3include emergency services
and services for complications directly
4related to the contraceptive method, federal Food and Drug
5Administration approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and
6supplies, and followup, consultation, and referral services, as
7indicated, which may require treatment authorization requests.
8(B) All United States Department of Agriculture, federal Food
9and Drug Administration approved contraceptive drugs, devices,
10and supplies that are in keeping with current standards of practice
11and from which the individual may choose.
12(C) Culturally and linguistically appropriate health education
13and counseling services, including informed consent, that include
14all of the following:
15(i) Psychosocial and medical aspects of contraception.
16(ii) Sexuality.
17(iii) Fertility.
18(iv) Pregnancy.
19(v) Parenthood.
20(vi) Infertility.
21(vii) Reproductive health care.
22(viii) Preconception and nutrition counseling.
23(ix) Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infection.
24(x) Use of contraceptive methods, federal Food and Drug
25Administration approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and
26supplies.
27(xi) Possible contraceptive consequences and followup.
28(xii) Interpersonal communication and negotiation of
29relationships to assist individuals and couples in effective
30contraceptive method use and planning families.
31(D) A comprehensive health history, updated at the next periodic
32visit (between 11 and 24 months after initial examination) that
33includes a complete obstetrical history, gynecological history,
34contraceptive history, personal medical history, health risk factors,
35and family health history, including genetic or hereditary
36conditions.
37(E) A complete physical examination on initial and subsequent
38periodic visits.
P79 1(F) Services, drugs, devices, and supplies deemed by the federal
2Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be appropriate for
3inclusion in the program.
4(9) In order to maximize the availability of federal financial
5participation under this subdivision, the director shall have the
6discretion to implement the Family PACT successor state plan
7amendment retroactively to July 1, 2010.
8(ab) (1) Purchase of prescribed enteral nutrition products is
9covered, subject to the Medi-Cal list of enteral nutrition products
10and utilization controls.
11(2) Purchase of enteral nutrition products is limited to those
12products to be administered through a feeding tube, including, but
13not limited to, a gastric, nasogastric, or jejunostomy tube.
14Beneficiaries under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis,
15and Treatment Program shall be exempt from this paragraph.
16(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the
department may deem
17an enteral nutrition product, not administered through a feeding
18tube, including, but not limited to, a gastric, nasogastric, or
19jejunostomy tube, a benefit for patients with diagnoses, including,
20but not limited to, malabsorption and inborn errors of metabolism,
21if the product has been shown to be neither investigational nor
22experimental when used as part of a therapeutic regimen to prevent
23serious disability or death.
24(4) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
2511340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
26the department may implement the amendments to this subdivision
27made by the act that added this paragraph by means of all-county
28letters, provider bulletins, or similar instructions, without taking
29regulatory action.
30(5) The amendments made to this subdivision by the act that
31added this paragraph shall be implemented June 1,
2011, or on the
32first day of the first calendar month following 60 days after the
33date the department secures all necessary federal approvals to
34implement this section, whichever is later.
35(ac) Diabetic testing supplies are covered when provided by a
36pharmacy, subject to utilization controls.
37(ad) Commencing January 1, 2014, any benefits, services, and
38coverage not otherwise described in this
chapter that are included
39in the essential health benefits package adopted by the state
40pursuant to Section 1367.005 of the Health and Safety Code and
P80 1Section 10112.27 of the Insurance Code and approved by the
2United States Secretary of Health and Human Services under
3Section 18022 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and any
4successor essential health benefit package adopted by the state.
Section 14132.02 is added to the Welfare and
6Institutions Code, to read:
(a) Pursuant to Sections 1902(k)(1) and
81937(b)(1)(D) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
91396a(k)(1); 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396u-7(b)(1)(D)), the department
10shall seek approval from the United States Secretary of Health and
11Human Services to establish a benchmark benefit package that
12includes the same benefits, services, and coverage as is provided
13to all other full-scope Medi-Cal enrollees, supplemented by any
14benefits, services, and coverage included in the essential health
15benefits package adopted by the state pursuant to Section 1367.005
16of the Health and Safety Code and Section 10112.27 of the
17Insurance Code and approved by the secretary under Section 18022
18of Title 42 of the United
States Code, and any successor essential
19health benefit package adopted by the state.
20(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
Section 15926 of the Welfare and Institutions Code
22 is amended to read:
(a) The following definitions apply for purposes of
24this part:
25(1) “Accessible” means in compliance with Section 11135 of
26the Government Code, Section 1557 of the PPACA, and regulations
27or guidance adopted pursuant to these statutes.
28(2) “Limited-English-proficient” means not speaking English
29as one’s primary language and having a limited ability to read,
30speak, write, or understand English.
31(3) “Insurance affordability program” means a program that is
32one of the following:
33(A) The Medi-Cal program under Title XIX of the federal Social
34Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.).
35(B) The Healthy Families Program under Title XXI of the
36federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1397aa et seq.).
37(C) A program that makes available to qualified individuals
38coverage in a qualified health plan through the California Health
39Benefit Exchange established pursuant to Title 22 (commencing
40with Section 100500) of the Government Code with advance
P81 1payment of the premium tax credit established under Section 36B
2of the Internal Revenue Code.
3(4) A program that makes available coverage in a qualified
4health plan through the California Health Benefit Exchange
5established pursuant to Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500)
6of the Government Code with cost-sharing reductions established
7under Section 1402 of PPACA and any subsequent amendments
8to that act.
9(b) An individual shall have the option to apply for insurance
10affordability programs in person, by mail, online, by telephone,
11or by other commonly available electronic means.
12(c) (1) A single, accessible, standardized paper, electronic, and
13telephone application for insurance affordability programs shall
14be developed by the department in consultation with MRMIB and
15the board governing the Exchange as part of the stakeholder process
16described in subdivision (b) of Section 15925. The application
17shall be used by all entities authorized to make an eligibility
18determination for any of the
insurance affordability programs and
19by their agents.
20(2) The application shall be tested and operational by the date
21as required by the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services.
22(3) The application form shall, to the extent not inconsistent
23with federal statutes, regulations, and guidance, satisfy all of the
24following criteria:
25(A) The form shall include simple, user-friendly language and
26instructions.
27(B) The form may not ask for information related to a
28nonapplicant that is not necessary to determine eligibility in the
29applicant’s particular circumstances.
30(C) The form may require only information necessary to support
31the eligibility and enrollment
processes for insurance affordability
32programs.
33(D) The form may be used for, but shall not be limited to,
34screening.
35(E) The form may ask, or be used otherwise to identify, if the
36mother of an infant applicant under one year of age had coverage
37through
an insurance affordability program for the infant’s birth,
38for the purpose of automatically enrolling the infant into the
39applicable program without the family having to complete the
40application process for the infant.
P82 1(F) The form may include questions that are voluntary for
2applicants to answer regarding demographic data categories,
3including race, ethnicity, primary language, disability status, and
4other categories recognized by the federal Secretary of Health and
5Human Services under Section 4302 of the PPACA.
6(G) Until January 1, 2016, the department shall instruct counties
7to not reject an application that was in existence prior to January
81, 2014,
but to accept the application and request any additional
9information needed from the applicant in order to complete the
10eligibility determination process. The department shall work with
11counties and consumer advocates to develop the supplemental
12questions.
13(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude the use of a
14provider-based application form or enrollment procedures for
15insurance affordability programs or other health programs that
16differs from the application form described in subdivision (c), and
17related enrollment procedures. Nothing in this section shall
18preclude the use of a joint application, developed by the department
19and the State Department of Social Services, that allows for an
20application to be made for multiple programs, including, but not
21limited to, CalWORKs, CalFresh, and insurance affordability
22programs.
23(e) The entity making the eligibility determination shall grant
24eligibility immediately whenever possible and with the consent of
25the applicant in accordance with the state and federal rules
26governing
insurance affordability programs.
27(f) (1) If the eligibility, enrollment, and retention system has
28the ability to prepopulate an application form for insurance
29affordability programs with personal information from available
30electronic databases, an applicant shall be given the option, with
31his or her informed consent, to have the application form
32prepopulated. Before a prepopulated
application is submitted to
33the entity authorized to make eligibility determinations, the
34individual shall be given the opportunity to provide additional
35eligibility information and to correct any information retrieved
36from a database.
37(2) All insurance affordability programs shall accept
38self-attestation, instead of requiring an individual to produce a
39document, for age, date of birth, family size, household income,
40state residence, pregnancy, and any other applicable criteria needed
P83 1to determine the eligibility of an applicant or recipient, to the extent
2permitted by state and federal law.
3(3) An applicant or recipient shall have his or her information
4
electronically verified in the manner required by the PPACA and
5implementing federal regulations and guidance.
6(4) Before an eligibility determination is made, the individual
7shall be given the opportunity to provide additional eligibility
8information and to correct information.
9(5) The eligibility of an applicant shall not be delayed or denied
10for any insurance affordability program unless the applicant is
11given a reasonable opportunity, of at least the kind provided for
12under the Medi-Cal program pursuant to Section 14007.5 and
13paragraph (7) of subdivision (e) of Section 14011.2, to resolve
14discrepancies concerning any information provided by a verifying
15entity.
16(6) To the extent federal financial participation is available, an
17applicant shall be provided benefits in accordance with the rules
18of the insurance affordability program, as implemented in federal
19regulations and guidance, for which he or she otherwise qualifies
20until a determination is made that he or she is not eligible and all
21applicable notices have been provided. Nothing in this section
22shall be interpreted to grant presumptive eligibility if it is not
23otherwise required by state law, and, if so required, then only to
24the extent permitted by federal law.
25(g) The eligibility, enrollment, and retention system shall offer
26an applicant and recipient assistance with his or
her application or
27renewal for an insurance affordability program in person, over the
28telephone, by mail, online, or through other commonly available
29electronic means and in a manner that is accessible to individuals
30with disabilities and those who are limited English proficient.
31(h) (1) During the processing of an application, renewal, or a
32transition due to a change in circumstances, an entity making
33eligibility
determinations for an insurance affordability program
34shall ensure that an eligible applicant and recipient of insurance
35affordability programs that meets all program eligibility
36requirements and complies with all necessary requests for
37information moves between programs without any breaks in
38coverage and without being required to provide any forms,
39documents, or other information or undergo verification that is
40duplicative or otherwise unnecessary. The individual shall be
P84 1informed about how to obtain information about the status of his
2or her application, renewal, or transfer to another
program at any
3time, and the information shall be promptly provided when
4requested.
5(2) The application or case of an individual screened as not
6eligible for Medi-Cal on the basis of Modified Adjusted Gross
7Income (MAGI) household income but who may be eligible on
8the basis of being 65 years of age or older, or on the basis of
9blindness or disability, shall be forwarded to the Medi-Cal program
10for an eligibility determination. During the period this application
11or case is processed for a non-MAGI Medi-Cal eligibility
12determination, if the applicant or recipient is otherwise eligible
13for an insurance affordability program, he or she shall be
14determined eligible for that program.
15(3) Renewal procedures shall include all available methods for
16reporting renewal information, including, but not limited to,
17face-to-face, telephone, mail, and online renewal or renewal
18through other commonly available electronic means.
19(4) An applicant who is not eligible for an insurance affordability
20program for a reason other than income eligibility, or for any reason
21in the case of applicants and recipients residing in a county that
22offers a health coverage program for individuals with income above
23the
maximum allowed for the Exchange premium tax credits, shall
24be referred to the county health coverage program in his or her
25county of residence.
26(i) Notwithstanding subdivisions (e), (f), and (j), before an online
27applicant who appears to be eligible for the Exchange with a
28premium tax credit or reduction in cost sharing, or both, may be
29enrolled in the Exchange, both of the following shall occur:
30(1) The applicant shall be informed of the overpayment penalties
31under the federal Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and
32Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011
33(Public Law 112-9), if the individual’s annual family income
34increases by a specified amount or more, calculated on the basis
35of the individual’s current family size and current income, and that
36penalties are avoided by prompt reporting of income increases
37throughout the year.
38(2) The applicant shall be informed of the penalty for failure to
39have minimum essential health coverage.
P85 1(j) The department shall, in coordination with MRMIB and the
2Exchange board, streamline and coordinate all eligibility rules and
3requirements among insurance affordability programs using the
4least restrictive rules and requirements permitted by federal and
5state law. This process shall include the consideration of
6methodologies for determining income levels, assets, rules for
7household size, citizenship and immigration status, and
8self-attestation and verification requirements.
9(k) (1) Forms and notices developed pursuant to this section
10shall be accessible and standardized, as appropriate, and shall
11comply with federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance
12prohibiting discrimination.
13(2) Forms and notices developed pursuant to this section shall
14be developed using plain language and shall be provided in a
15manner that affords meaningful access to limited-English-proficient
16individuals, in accordance with applicable state and federal law,
17and at a minimum, provided in the same threshold languages as
18required for Medi-Cal managed care plans.
19(l) The department, the California Health and Human Services
20Agency, MRMIB, and the Exchange board shall establish a process
21for receiving and acting on stakeholder suggestions regarding the
22functionality of the eligibility systems supporting the Exchange,
23including the activities of all entities providing
eligibility screening
24to ensure the correct eligibility rules and requirements are being
25used. This process shall include consumers and their advocates,
26be conducted no less than quarterly, and include the recording,
27review, and analysis of potential defects or enhancements of the
28eligibility systems. The process shall also include regular updates
29on the work to analyze, prioritize, and implement corrections to
30confirmed defects and proposed enhancements, and to monitor
31screening.
32(m) In designing and implementing the eligibility, enrollment,
33and retention system, the department, MRMIB, and the Exchange
34board shall ensure that all privacy and confidentiality rights under
35the PPACA and other federal and state laws are incorporated and
36followed, including responses to security breaches.
37(n) Except as otherwise specified, this section shall be operative
38on
January 1, 2014.
begin insertSection 14132.02 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
40Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
(a) The department shall seek approval from the
2United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide
3individuals made eligible pursuant to Section 14005.60 with the
4alternative benefit package option authorized by Section
51396u-7(b)(1)(D) of Title 42 of the United States Code. Effective
6January 1, 2014, the alternative benefit package shall provide the
7same schedule of benefits provided to full-scope Medi-Cal
8beneficiaries qualifying under the modified adjusted gross income
9standard pursuant to Section 1396a(e)(14) of Title 42 of the United
10States Code, except coverage of long-term services and supports
11shall be excluded unless otherwise required by Section
121396u-7(a)(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code or made
13available pursuant to subdivision (b). The alternative benefit
14package shall also
include any benefits otherwise required by
15Section 1396u-7 of Title 42 of the United States Code and any
16regulations or guidance issued pursuant to that section.
17(b) Notwithstanding Section 14005.64, and only to the extent
18federal approval is obtained, the department shall provide
19coverage for long-term services and supports to only those
20individuals who meet the asset requirements imposed under the
21Medi-Cal program for receipt of such services.
22(c) For purposes of this section, long-term services and supports
23include nursing facility services, a level of care in any institution
24equivalent to nursing facility services, home- and community-based
25services furnished under the state plan or a waiver under Section
261315 or 1396n of Title 42 of the United States Code, home health
27services as described in Section 1396d(a)(7) of Title 42 of the
28United States Code, and personal care
services described in
29Section 1396d(a)(24) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
30(d) The department may seek approval of any necessary state
31plan amendments or waivers to implement this section.
32(e) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
33federal financial participation is available and any necessary
34federal approvals have been obtained.
begin insertSection 14132.03 is added to the end insertbegin insertWelfare and
36Institutions Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
(a) The following shall be covered Medi-Cal benefits
38effective January 1, 2014:
39(1) Mental health services included in the essential health
40benefits package adopted by the state pursuant to Section 1367.005
P87 1of the Health and Safety Code and Section 10112.27 of the
2Insurance Code and approved by the United States Secretary of
3Health and Human Services under Section 18022 of Title 42 of
4the United States Code. To the extent behavioral health treatment
5services are considered mental health services pursuant to the
6essential health benefits package, these services shall only be
7provided to individuals who receive services through federally
8approved waivers or state plan amendments pursuant to the
9Lanterman Developmental Disability Services Act, at
Division 4.5
10(commencing with Section 4500).
11(2) Substance use disorder services included in the essential
12health benefits package adopted by the state pursuant to Section
131367.005 of the Health and Safety Code and Section 10112.27 of
14the Insurance Code and approved by the United States Secretary
15of Health and Human Services under Section 18022 of Title 42 of
16the United States Code.
17(b) The department may seek approval of any necessary state
18plan amendments to implement this section.
19(c) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
20federal financial participation is available and any necessary
21federal approvals have been obtained.
begin insertArticle 5.9 (commencing with Section 14189) is added
23to Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the end insertbegin insertWelfare and Institutions
24Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert
25
Medi-Cal managed care plans shall provide mental
30health benefits covered in the state plan excluding those benefits
31provided by county mental health plans under the Specialty Mental
32Health Services Waiver. The department may require the managed
33care plans to cover mental health pharmacy benefits to the extent
34provided in the contracts between the department and the Medi-Cal
35managed care plans.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
38Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution for certain
39costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
40because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction,
P88 1eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
2or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
3Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
4meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
5Constitution.
6However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that
7this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement
8to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made
9pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division
104 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
begin insertThis act shall become operative only if Assembly Bill
121 of the 2013-end insertbegin insert14 First Extraordinary Session is enacted and takes
13effect.end insert
O
1 Corrected 6-19-13—See last page. 97