Senate BillNo. 1361


Introduced by Senator Nielsen

February 19, 2016


An act to add Section 14132.07 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 1361, as introduced, Nielsen. Medi-Cal: eyeglasses.

Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income persons receive health care benefits. 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 eyeglasses, subject to utilization controls. Existing law provides, except as specified, that certain optional Medi-Cal benefits, including, among others, optometric and optician services, are excluded from coverage under the Medi-Cal program.

This bill, to the extent any necessary federal approvals are obtained, would restore coverage of one pair of eyeglasses provided every 2 years to an individual 21 years of age or older who is unable to meet or exceed the driver’s license vision standards established by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill would authorize the department to implement those provisions by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions.

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

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

P2    1

SECTION 1.  

Section 14132.07 is added to the Welfare and
2Institutions Code
, to read:

3

14132.07.  

(a) Notwithstanding Section 14131.10, one pair of
4eyeglasses provided every two years shall be covered for an
5individual who is 21 years of age or older and who is unable to
6meet or exceed the driver’s license vision standards established
7by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

8(b) (1)   The department may seek approval of any necessary
9state plan amendments to implement this section.

10(2) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
11federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal
12approvals have been obtained.

13(c) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
1411340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code,
15the department may implement this section by means of all-county
16letters, provider bulletins, or similar instructions, without taking
17further regulatory action.



O

    99