BILL NUMBER: SB 1361	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


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:

  SECTION 1.  Section 14132.07 is added to the Welfare and
Institutions Code, to read:
   14132.07.  (a) Notwithstanding Section 14131.10, one pair of
eyeglasses provided every two years shall be covered for an
individual who is 21 years of age or older and who is unable to meet
or exceed the driver's license vision standards established by the
Department of Motor Vehicles.
   (b) (1) The department may seek approval of any necessary state
plan amendments to implement this section.
   (2) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that
federal financial participation is available and any necessary
federal approvals have been obtained.
   (c) 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 this section by means of all-county letters,
provider bulletins, or similar instructions, without taking further
regulatory action.