Amended in Senate September 4, 2015

Amended in Senate September 1, 2015

Amended in Senate June 19, 2015

Amended in Assembly May 28, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 1231

Introduced by Assembly Member Wood

February 27, 2015

An act to amend Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1231, as amended, Wood. Medi-Cal: nonmedical transportation.

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. Existing law provides for a schedule of benefits under the Medi-Cal program, which includes medical transportation services, subject to utilization controls.

This bill would add to the schedule of benefits nonmedical transportation, as defined, subject to utilization begin delete controls, end delete begin insert controls and federally permissible time and distance standards, end insert for a beneficiary to obtain covered begin delete specialty care end delete Medi-Cal begin delete services, if those services are more than 60 minutes or 30 miles from the beneficiary’s place of residence. end delete begin insert services. end insert The bill would specify that these provisions shall not be interpreted to add a new benefit to the Medi-Cal program. The bill would require the department to adopt regulations by July 1, 2017. Commencing 6 months after the effective date of this act, the bill would require the department to provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis until regulations have been adopted.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code is amended to read:

14132.  

The following is the schedule of benefits under this
chapter:

(a) Outpatient services are covered as follows:

Physician, hospital or clinic outpatient, surgical center,
respiratory care, optometric, chiropractic, psychology, podiatric,
occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology,
acupuncture to the extent federal matching funds are provided for
acupuncture, and services of persons rendering treatment by prayer
or healing by spiritual means in the practice of any church or
religious denomination insofar as these can be encompassed by
federal participation under an approved plan, subject to utilization
controls.

(b) (1) Inpatient hospital services, including, but not limited
to, physician and podiatric services, physical therapy and
occupational therapy, are covered subject to utilization controls.

(2) For Medi-Cal fee-for-service beneficiaries, emergency
services and care that are necessary for the treatment of an
emergency medical condition and medical care directly related to
the emergency medical condition. This paragraph shall not be
construed to change the obligation of Medi-Cal managed care
plans to provide emergency services and care. For the purposes of
this paragraph, “emergency services and care” and “emergency
medical condition” shall have the same meanings as those terms
are defined in Section 1317.1 of the Health and Safety Code.

(c) Nursing facility services, subacute care services, and services
provided by any category of intermediate care facility for the
developmentally disabled, including podiatry, physician, nurse
practitioner services, and prescribed drugs, as described in
subdivision (d), are covered subject to utilization controls.
Respiratory care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy, and audiology services for patients in nursing facilities
and any category of intermediate care facility for the
developmentally disabled are covered subject to utilization controls.

(d) (1) Purchase of prescribed drugs is covered subject to the
Medi-Cal List of Contract Drugs and utilization controls.

(2) Purchase of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction or any
off-label uses of those drugs are covered only to the extent that
federal financial participation is available.

(3) (A) To the extent required by federal law, the purchase of
outpatient prescribed drugs, for which the prescription is executed
by a prescriber in written, nonelectronic form on or after April 1,
2008, is covered only when executed on a tamper resistant
prescription form. The implementation of this paragraph shall
conform to the guidance issued by the federal Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services but shall not conflict with state statutes on
the characteristics of tamper resistant prescriptions for controlled
substances, including Section 11162.1 of the Health and Safety
Code. The department shall provide providers and beneficiaries
with as much flexibility in implementing these rules as allowed
by the federal government. The department shall notify and consult
with appropriate stakeholders in implementing, interpreting, or
making specific this paragraph.

(B) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
the department may take the actions specified in subparagraph (A)
by means of a provider bulletin or notice, policy letter, or other
similar instructions without taking regulatory action.

(4) (A) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, nonlegend has
the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section
14105.45.

(ii) Nonlegend acetaminophen-containing products, with the
exception of children’s acetaminophen-containing products,
selected by the department are not covered benefits.

(iii) Nonlegend cough and cold products selected by the
department are not covered benefits. This clause shall be
implemented on the first day of the first calendar month following
90 days after the effective date of the act that added this clause,
or on the first day of the first calendar month following 60 days
after the date the department secures all necessary federal approvals
to implement this section, whichever is later.

(iv) Beneficiaries under the Early and Periodic Screening,
Diagnosis, and Treatment Program shall be exempt from clauses
(ii) and (iii).

(B) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
the department may take the actions specified in subparagraph (A)
by means of a provider bulletin or notice, policy letter, or other
similar instruction without taking regulatory action.

(e) Outpatient dialysis services and home hemodialysis services,
including physician services, medical supplies, drugs and
equipment required for dialysis, are covered, subject to utilization
controls.

(f) Anesthesiologist services when provided as part of an
outpatient medical procedure, nurse anesthetist services when
rendered in an inpatient or outpatient setting under conditions set
forth by the director, outpatient laboratory services, and X-ray
services are covered, subject to utilization controls. Nothing in
this subdivision shall be construed to require prior authorization
for anesthesiologist services provided as part of an outpatient
medical procedure or for portable X-ray services in a nursing
facility or any category of intermediate care facility for the
developmentally disabled.

(g) Blood and blood derivatives are covered.

(h) (1) Emergency and essential diagnostic and restorative
dental services, except for orthodontic, fixed bridgework, and
partial dentures that are not necessary for balance of a complete
artificial denture, are covered, subject to utilization controls. The
utilization controls shall allow emergency and essential diagnostic
and restorative dental services and prostheses that are necessary
to prevent a significant disability or to replace previously furnished
prostheses that are lost or destroyed due to circumstances beyond
the beneficiary’s control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
director may by regulation provide for certain fixed artificial
dentures necessary for obtaining employment or for medical
conditions that preclude the use of removable dental prostheses,
and for orthodontic services in cleft palate deformities administered
by the department’s California Children Services Program.

(2) For persons 21 years of age or older, the services specified
in paragraph (1) shall be provided subject to the following
conditions:

(A) Periodontal treatment is not a benefit.

(B) Endodontic therapy is not a benefit except for vital
pulpotomy.

(C) Laboratory processed crowns are not a benefit.

(D) Removable prosthetics shall be a benefit only for patients
as a requirement for employment.

(E) The director may, by regulation, provide for the provision
of fixed artificial dentures that are necessary for medical conditions
that preclude the use of removable dental prostheses.

(F) Notwithstanding the conditions specified in subparagraphs
(A) to (E), inclusive, the department may approve services for
persons with special medical disorders subject to utilization review.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall become inoperative July 1, 1995.

(i) Medical transportation is covered, subject to utilization
controls.

(j) Home health care services are covered, subject to utilization
controls.

(k) Prosthetic and orthotic devices and eyeglasses are covered,
subject to utilization controls. Utilization controls shall allow
replacement of prosthetic and orthotic devices and eyeglasses
necessary because of loss or destruction due to circumstances
beyond the beneficiary’s control. Frame styles for eyeglasses
replaced pursuant to this subdivision shall not change more than
once every two years, unless the department so directs.

Orthopedic and conventional shoes are covered when provided
by a prosthetic and orthotic supplier on the prescription of a
physician and when at least one of the shoes will be attached to a
prosthesis or brace, subject to utilization controls. Modification
of stock conventional or orthopedic shoes when medically
indicated, is covered subject to utilization controls. When there is
a clearly established medical need that cannot be satisfied by the
modification of stock conventional or orthopedic shoes,
custom-made orthopedic shoes are covered, subject to utilization
controls.

Therapeutic shoes and inserts are covered when provided to
beneficiaries with a diagnosis of diabetes, subject to utilization
controls, to the extent that federal financial participation is
available.

(l) Hearing aids are covered, subject to utilization controls.
Utilization controls shall allow replacement of hearing aids
necessary because of loss or destruction due to circumstances
beyond the beneficiary’s control.

(m) Durable medical equipment and medical supplies are
covered, subject to utilization controls. The utilization controls
shall allow the replacement of durable medical equipment and
medical supplies when necessary because of loss or destruction
due to circumstances beyond the beneficiary’s control. The
utilization controls shall allow authorization of durable medical
equipment needed to assist a disabled beneficiary in caring for a
child for whom the disabled beneficiary is a parent, stepparent,
foster parent, or legal guardian, subject to the availability of federal
financial participation. The department shall adopt emergency
regulations to define and establish criteria for assistive durable
medical equipment in accordance with the rulemaking provisions
of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing
with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the
Government Code).

(n) Family planning services are covered, subject to utilization
controls. However, for Medi-Cal managed care plans, any
utilization controls shall be subject to Section 1367.25 of the Health
and Safety Code.

(o) Inpatient intensive rehabilitation hospital services, including
respiratory rehabilitation services, in a general acute care hospital
are covered, subject to utilization controls, when either of the
following criteria are met:

(1) A patient with a permanent disability or severe impairment
requires an inpatient intensive rehabilitation hospital program as
described in Section 14064 to develop function beyond the limited
amount that would occur in the normal course of recovery.

(2) A patient with a chronic or progressive disease requires an
inpatient intensive rehabilitation hospital program as described in
Section 14064 to maintain the patient’s present functional level as
long as possible.

(p) (1) Adult day health care is covered in accordance with
Chapter 8.7 (commencing with Section 14520).

(2) Commencing 30 days after the effective date of the act that
added this paragraph, and notwithstanding the number of days
previously approved through a treatment authorization request,
adult day health care is covered for a maximum of three days per
week.

(3) As provided in accordance with paragraph (4), adult day
health care is covered for a maximum of five days per week.

(4) As of the date that the director makes the declaration
described in subdivision (g) of Section 14525.1, paragraph (2)
shall become inoperative and paragraph (3) shall become operative.

(q) (1) Application of fluoride, or other appropriate fluoride
treatment as defined by the department, and other prophylaxis
treatment for children 17 years of age and under are covered.

(2) All dental hygiene services provided by a registered dental
hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, and
registered dental hygienist in alternative practice licensed pursuant
to Sections 1753, 1917, 1918, and 1922 of the Business and
Professions Code may be covered as long as they are within the
scope of Denti-Cal benefits and they are necessary services
provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental
hygienist in extended functions, or registered dental hygienist in
alternative practice.

(r) (1) Paramedic services performed by a city, county, or
special district, or pursuant to a contract with a city, county, or
special district, and pursuant to a program established under former
Article 3 (commencing with Section 1480) of Chapter 2.5 of
Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code by a paramedic certified
pursuant to that article, and consisting of defibrillation and those
services specified in subdivision (3) of former Section 1482 of the
article.

(2) All providers enrolled under this subdivision shall satisfy
all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for becoming
a Medi-Cal provider.

(3) This subdivision shall be implemented only to the extent
funding is available under Section 14106.6.

(s) In-home medical care services are covered when medically
appropriate and subject to utilization controls, for beneficiaries
who would otherwise require care for an extended period of time
in an acute care hospital at a cost higher than in-home medical
care services. The director shall have the authority under this
section to contract with organizations qualified to provide in-home
medical care services to those persons. These services may be
provided to patients placed in shared or congregate living
arrangements, if a home setting is not medically appropriate or
available to the beneficiary. As used in this section, “in-home
medical care service” includes utility bills directly attributable to
continuous, 24-hour operation of life-sustaining medical equipment,
to the extent that federal financial participation is available.

As used in this subdivision, in-home medical care services
include, but are not limited to:

(1) Level-of-care and cost-of-care evaluations.

(2) Expenses, directly attributable to home care activities, for
materials.

(3) Physician fees for home visits.

(4) Expenses directly attributable to home care activities for
shelter and modification to shelter.

(5) Expenses directly attributable to additional costs of special
diets, including tube feeding.

(6) Medically related personal services.

(7) Home nursing education.

(8) Emergency maintenance repair.

(9) Home health agency personnel benefits that permit coverage
of care during periods when regular personnel are on vacation or
using sick leave.

(10) All services needed to maintain antiseptic conditions at
stoma or shunt sites on the body.

(11) Emergency and nonemergency medical transportation.

(12) Medical supplies.

(13) Medical equipment, including, but not limited to, scales,
gurneys, and equipment racks suitable for paralyzed patients.

(14) Utility use directly attributable to the requirements of home
care activities that are in addition to normal utility use.

(15) Special drugs and medications.

(16) Home health agency supervision of visiting staff that is
medically necessary, but not included in the home health agency
rate.

(17) Therapy services.

(18) Household appliances and household utensil costs directly
attributable to home care activities.

(19) Modification of medical equipment for home use.

(20) Training and orientation for use of life-support systems,
including, but not limited to, support of respiratory functions.

(21) Respiratory care practitioner services as defined in Sections
3702 and 3703 of the Business and Professions Code, subject to
prescription by a physician and surgeon.

Beneficiaries receiving in-home medical care services are entitled
to the full range of services within the Medi-Cal scope of benefits
as defined by this section, subject to medical necessity and
applicable utilization control. Services provided pursuant to this
subdivision, which are not otherwise included in the Medi-Cal
schedule of benefits, shall be available only to the extent that
federal financial participation for these services is available in
accordance with a home- and community-based services waiver.

(t) Home- and community-based services approved by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services are
covered to the extent that federal financial participation is available
for those services under the state plan or waivers granted in
accordance with Section 1315 or 1396n of Title 42 of the United
States Code. The director may seek waivers for any or all home-
and community-based services approvable under Section 1315 or
1396n of Title 42 of the United States Code. Coverage for those
services shall be limited by the terms, conditions, and duration of
the federal waivers.

(u) Comprehensive perinatal services, as provided through an
agreement with a health care provider designated in Section
14134.5 and meeting the standards developed by the department
pursuant to Section 14134.5, subject to utilization controls.

The department shall seek any federal waivers necessary to
implement the provisions of this subdivision. The provisions for
which appropriate federal waivers cannot be obtained shall not be
implemented. Provisions for which waivers are obtained or for
which waivers are not required shall be implemented
notwithstanding any inability to obtain federal waivers for the
other provisions. No provision of this subdivision shall be
implemented unless matching funds from Subchapter XIX
(commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the
United States Code are available.

(v) Early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for
any individual under 21 years of age is covered, consistent with
the requirements of Subchapter XIX (commencing with Section
1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(w) Hospice service that is Medicare-certified hospice service
is covered, subject to utilization controls. Coverage shall be
available only to the extent that no additional net program costs
are incurred.

(x) When a claim for treatment provided to a beneficiary
includes both services that are authorized and reimbursable under
this chapter, and services that are not reimbursable under this
chapter, that portion of the claim for the treatment and services
authorized and reimbursable under this chapter shall be payable.

(y) Home- and community-based services approved by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services for
beneficiaries with a diagnosis of AIDS or ARC, who require
intermediate care or a higher level of care.

Services provided pursuant to a waiver obtained from the
Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human
Services pursuant to this subdivision, and which are not otherwise
included in the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits, shall be available
only to the extent that federal financial participation for these
services is available in accordance with the waiver, and subject to
the terms, conditions, and duration of the waiver. These services
shall be provided to individual beneficiaries in accordance with
the client’s needs as identified in the plan of care, and subject to
medical necessity and applicable utilization control.

The director may under this section contract with organizations
qualified to provide, directly or by subcontract, services provided
for in this subdivision to eligible beneficiaries. Contracts or
agreements entered into pursuant to this division shall not be
subject to the Public Contract Code.

(z) Respiratory care when provided in organized health care
systems as defined in Section 3701 of the Business and Professions
Code, and as an in-home medical service as outlined in subdivision
(s).

(aa) (1) There is hereby established in the department, a
program to provide comprehensive clinical family planning
services to any person who has a family income at or below 200
percent of the federal poverty level, as revised annually, and who
is eligible to receive these services pursuant to the waiver identified
in paragraph (2). This program shall be known as the Family
Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) Program.

(2) The department shall seek a waiver in accordance with
Section 1315 of Title 42 of the United States Code, or a state plan
amendment adopted in accordance with Section
1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXI) of Title 42 of the United States Code,
which was added to Section 1396a of Title 42 of the United States
Code by Section 2303(a)(2) of the federal Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (Public Law 111-148), for a
program to provide comprehensive clinical family planning
services as described in paragraph (8). Under the waiver, the
program shall be operated only in accordance with the waiver and
the statutes and regulations in paragraph (4) and subject to the
terms, conditions, and duration of the waiver. Under the state plan
amendment, which shall replace the waiver and shall be known as
the Family PACT successor state plan amendment, the program
shall be operated only in accordance with this subdivision and the
statutes and regulations in paragraph (4). The state shall use the
standards and processes imposed by the state on January 1, 2007,
including the application of an eligibility discount factor to the
extent required by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, for purposes of determining eligibility as permitted under
Section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXI) of Title 42 of the United States
Code. To the extent that federal financial participation is available,
the program shall continue to conduct education, outreach,
enrollment, service delivery, and evaluation services as specified
under the waiver. The services shall be provided under the program
only if the waiver and, when applicable, the successor state plan
amendment are approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services and only to the extent that federal financial
participation is available for the services. Nothing in this section
shall prohibit the department from seeking the Family PACT
successor state plan amendment during the operation of the waiver.

(3) Solely for the purposes of the waiver or Family PACT
successor state plan amendment and notwithstanding any other
law, the collection and use of an individual’s social security number
shall be necessary only to the extent required by federal law.

(4) Sections 14105.3 to 14105.39, inclusive, 14107.11, 24005,
and 24013, and any regulations adopted under these statutes shall
apply to the program provided for under this subdivision. No other
provision of law under the Medi-Cal program or the State-Only
Family Planning Program shall apply to the program provided for
under this subdivision.

(5) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
the department may implement, without taking regulatory action,
the provisions of the waiver after its approval by the federal Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the provisions of this
section by means of an all-county letter or similar instruction to
providers. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations to
implement this section and the approved waiver in accordance
with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Beginning six months after the effective date of the act adding this
subdivision, the department shall provide a status report to the
Legislature on a semiannual basis until regulations have been
adopted.

(6) In the event that the Department of Finance determines that
the program operated under the authority of the waiver described
in paragraph (2) or the Family PACT successor state plan
amendment is no longer cost effective, this subdivision shall
become inoperative on the first day of the first month following
the issuance of a 30-day notification of that determination in
writing by the Department of Finance to the chairperson in each
house that considers appropriations, the chairpersons of the
committees, and the appropriate subcommittees in each house that
considers the State Budget, and the Chairperson of the Joint
Legislative Budget Committee.

(7) If this subdivision ceases to be operative, all persons who
have received or are eligible to receive comprehensive clinical
family planning services pursuant to the waiver described in
paragraph (2) shall receive family planning services under the
Medi-Cal program pursuant to subdivision (n) if they are otherwise
eligible for Medi-Cal with no share of cost, or shall receive
comprehensive clinical family planning services under the program
established in Division 24 (commencing with Section 24000) either
if they are eligible for Medi-Cal with a share of cost or if they are
otherwise eligible under Section 24003.

(8) For purposes of this subdivision, “comprehensive clinical
family planning services” means the process of establishing
objectives for the number and spacing of children, and selecting
the means by which those objectives may be achieved. These
means include a broad range of acceptable and effective methods
and services to limit or enhance fertility, including contraceptive
methods, federal Food and Drug Administration approved
contraceptive drugs, devices, and supplies, natural family planning,
abstinence methods, and basic, limited fertility management.
Comprehensive clinical family planning services include, but are
not limited to, preconception counseling, maternal and fetal health
counseling, general reproductive health care, including diagnosis
and treatment of infections and conditions, including cancer, that
threaten reproductive capability, medical family planning treatment
and procedures, including supplies and followup, and
informational, counseling, and educational services.
Comprehensive clinical family planning services shall not include
abortion, pregnancy testing solely for the purposes of referral for
abortion or services ancillary to abortions, or pregnancy care that
is not incident to the diagnosis of pregnancy. Comprehensive
clinical family planning services shall be subject to utilization
control and include all of the following:

(A) Family planning related services and male and female
sterilization. Family planning services for men and women shall
include emergency services and services for complications directly
related to the contraceptive method, federal Food and Drug
Administration approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and
supplies, and followup, consultation, and referral services, as
indicated, which may require treatment authorization requests.

(B) All United States Department of Agriculture, federal Food
and Drug Administration approved contraceptive drugs, devices,
and supplies that are in keeping with current standards of practice
and from which the individual may choose.

(C) Culturally and linguistically appropriate health education
and counseling services, including informed consent, that include
all of the following:

(i) Psychosocial and medical aspects of contraception.

(ii) Sexuality.

(iii) Fertility.

(iv) Pregnancy.

(v) Parenthood.

(vi) Infertility.

(vii) Reproductive health care.

(viii) Preconception and nutrition counseling.

(ix) Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infection.

(x) Use of contraceptive methods, federal Food and Drug
Administration approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and
supplies.

(xi) Possible contraceptive consequences and followup.

(xii) Interpersonal communication and negotiation of
relationships to assist individuals and couples in effective
contraceptive method use and planning families.

(D) A comprehensive health history, updated at the next periodic
visit (between 11 and 24 months after initial examination) that
includes a complete obstetrical history, gynecological history,
contraceptive history, personal medical history, health risk factors,
and family health history, including genetic or hereditary
conditions.

(E) A complete physical examination on initial and subsequent
periodic visits.

(F) Services, drugs, devices, and supplies deemed by the federal
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be appropriate for
inclusion in the program.

(9) In order to maximize the availability of federal financial
participation under this subdivision, the director shall have the
discretion to implement the Family PACT successor state plan
amendment retroactively to July 1, 2010.

(ab) (1) Purchase of prescribed enteral nutrition products is
covered, subject to the Medi-Cal list of enteral nutrition products
and utilization controls.

(2) Purchase of enteral nutrition products is limited to those
products to be administered through a feeding tube, including, but
not limited to, a gastric, nasogastric, or jejunostomy tube.
Beneficiaries under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis,
and Treatment Program shall be exempt from this paragraph.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the department may deem
an enteral nutrition product, not administered through a feeding
tube, including, but not limited to, a gastric, nasogastric, or
jejunostomy tube, a benefit for patients with diagnoses, including,
but not limited to, malabsorption and inborn errors of metabolism,
if the product has been shown to be neither investigational nor
experimental when used as part of a therapeutic regimen to prevent
serious disability or death.

(4) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
the department may implement the amendments to this subdivision
made by the act that added this paragraph by means of all-county
letters, provider bulletins, or similar instructions, without taking
regulatory action.

(5) The amendments made to this subdivision by the act that
added this paragraph shall be implemented June 1, 2011, or on the
first day of the first calendar month following 60 days after the
date the department secures all necessary federal approvals to
implement this section, whichever is later.

(ac) Diabetic testing supplies are covered when provided by a
pharmacy, subject to utilization controls.

(ad) (1) Nonmedical transportation is covered, subject to
utilization begin delete controls, end delete begin insert controls and federally permissible time and
distance standards, end insert for a beneficiary to obtain covered begin delete specialty
care end delete Medi-Cal begin delete services, if those services are more than 60 minutes
or 30 miles from the beneficiary’s place of residence. end delete begin insert services. end insert

(2) (A) “Nonmedical transportation” includes, but is not limited
to, roundtrip transportation for a beneficiary to obtain covered
begin delete specialty care end delete Medi-Cal services by passenger car, taxicab, or any
other form of public or private conveyance. Nonmedical
transportation does not include the transportation of sick, injured,
invalid, convalescent, infirm, or otherwise incapacitated
beneficiaries by ambulances, litter vans, or wheelchair vans
licensed, operated, and equipped in accordance with state and local
statutes, ordinances, or regulations. Nonmedical transportation
includes, but is not limited to, mileage reimbursement for
conveyance by private vehicle, bus passes, taxi vouchers, or train
tickets.

(B) The cost of nonmedical transportation shall be paid for a
beneficiary who can attest in a manner to be specified by the
department that other available resources have been reasonably
exhausted.

(3) Nonmedical transportation shall be provided in a form and
manner that is accessible, in terms of physical and geographic
accessibility, for the beneficiary, and consistent with policies and
procedures established for a beneficiary with a disability.

(4) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this subdivision
to affirm the requirement under Section 431.53 of Title 42 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, in which the department is required
to ensure necessary transportation for recipients to and from
providers. This subdivision shall not be interpreted to add a new
benefit to the Medi-Cal program.

(5) (A) Upon enactment of this subdivision, the department
shall seek any federal approvals necessary to implement this
subdivision that the department determines are necessary to
implement this subdivision. This subdivision shall not be
implemented until all necessary federal approvals are obtained.

(B) This subdivision shall be implemented only to the extent
that federal financial participation is available and not otherwise
jeopardized, and any necessary federal approvals have been
obtained.

(6) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall
implement, interpret, or make specific this subdivision by means
of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or
similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted. By July
1, 2017, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with
the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340)
of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Commencing six months after the effective date of the act that
added this subdivision, and notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of
the Government Code, the department shall provide a status report
to the Legislature on a semiannual basis, in compliance with
Section 9795 of the Government Code, until regulations have been
adopted.