Bill Text: CA AB1088 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Medi-Cal: eligibility.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-10-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 450, Statutes of 2019. [AB1088 Detail]
Download: California-2019-AB1088-Chaptered.html
Assembly Bill
No. 1088
CHAPTER 450
An act to add Section 14005.401 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.
[
Approved by
Governor
October 02, 2019.
Filed with
Secretary of State
October 02, 2019.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1088, Wood.
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. Existing law requires the department to exercise its option under federal law to implement a program for aged and disabled persons, as described. Existing law requires an individual under these provisions to satisfy certain financial eligibility requirements. Existing law requires the department, to the extent required by federal law, to implement for Medi-Cal recipients who are qualified Medicare beneficiaries, the payment of Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for elderly and disabled persons whose income does not exceed the federal poverty level or 200% of a specified Supplemental Security
Income program standard.
This bill would require the department to seek a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver to implement an income disregard that would allow an aged, blind, or disabled individual who becomes ineligible for Medi-Cal benefits because of the state’s payment of the individual’s Medicare Part B premiums to remain eligible for the Medi-Cal program if their income and resources otherwise meet all eligibility requirements. The bill would authorize the department to implement this provision by provider bulletins or similar instructions until regulations are adopted. The bill would require the department to adopt regulations by July 1, 2021, and to provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis until regulations have been adopted.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NOBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 14005.401 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14005.40, to read:14005.401.
(a) The department shall seek a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver to implement an income disregard that would allow an aged, blind, or disabled individual who becomes ineligible for benefits under the Medi-Cal program pursuant to Section 14005.40 because of the state’s payment of the individual’s Medicare Part B premiums to remain eligible for the Medi-Cal program under Section 14005.40 if their income and resources otherwise meet all eligibility requirements.(b) (1) 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, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or
provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time any necessary regulations are adopted.
(2) The department shall adopt regulations by July 1, 2021, 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.
(3) Commencing six months after the effective date of this section, 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.
(c) This section shall be implemented only if, and to the extent that, federal financial participation is available and necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
