Bill Text: CA AB719 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Endangered wildlife: crocodiles and alligators.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-08-30 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB719 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB719-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  March 28, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 719

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Introduced by Assembly Member Diep

February 19, 2019

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An act to amend Section 14000 14079 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 719, as amended, Diep. Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal: reimbursement rates: physicians and dentists.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and 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 states the intent of the Legislature to provide, to the extent practicable, health care for those aged and other persons who lack sufficient annual income to meet the costs of health care, and whose other assets are so limited that their application toward the costs of that care would jeopardize the person’s or family’s future minimum self-maintenance and security.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that statement of legislative intent.

Existing law requires the Director of Health Care Services to annually review the reimbursement levels for physician and dental services under the Medi-Cal program, and to periodically revise the rates of reimbursement to physicians and dentists to ensure the reasonable access of Medi-Cal beneficiaries to physician and dental services. Existing law requires that the annual review, as it relates to rates for physician services, take into account specified factors, including annual cost increases for physicians as reflected by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This bill would require that the annual review also take into account annual cost increases for physicians as reflected by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The bill would require the director to annually adjust the rates of reimbursement to physicians and dentists based on the annual changes to the CPI or the CPI-U, whichever are higher.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

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

SECTION 1.

 Section 14079 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

14079.

 (a) The director annually shall review the reimbursement levels for physician and dental services under Medi-Cal, the Medi-Cal program, and shall revise periodically the rates of reimbursement to physicians and dentists to ensure the reasonable access of Medi-Cal beneficiaries to physician and dental services.

(b) In addition to any other revisions made pursuant to subdivision (a), the director shall annually adjust the rates of reimbursement to physicians and dentists based on the annual changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), whichever is higher.

This annual review,

(c) The annual review described in subdivision (a), as it relates to rates for physician services, shall take into account at least all of the following factors:

(a)

(1) Annual cost increases for physicians as reflected by the Consumer Price Index. CPI and the CPI-U.

(b)

(2) Physician reimbursement levels of medicare, the federal Medicare Program, Blue Shield, and other third-party payors.

(c)

(3) Prevailing customary physician charges within the state and in various geographical areas.

(d)

(4) Procedures reflected by the current Relative Value Studies (RVS).

(e)

(5) Characteristics of the current population of Medi-Cal beneficiaries and the medical services needed.

SECTION 1.Section 14000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

14000.

The purpose of this chapter is to afford to qualifying individuals health care and related remedial or preventive services, including related social services that are necessary for those receiving health care under this chapter.

The intent of the Legislature is to provide, to the extent practicable, through the provisions of this chapter, for health care for those aged and other persons, including family persons, who lack sufficient annual income to meet the costs of health care, and whose other assets are so limited that their application toward the costs of that care would jeopardize the person or family’s future minimum self-maintenance and security. It is intended that whenever possible and feasible:

(a)The means employed shall allow, to the extent practicable, eligible persons to secure health care in the same manner employed by the public generally, and without discrimination or segregation based purely on their economic disability. The means employed shall include an emphasis on efforts to arrange and encourage access to health care through enrollment in organized, managed care plans of the type available to the general public.

(b)The benefits available under this chapter shall not duplicate those provided under other federal or state laws or under other contractual or legal entitlements of the person or persons receiving them.

(c)In the administration of this chapter and in establishing the means to be used to provide access to health care to persons eligible under this chapter, the department shall emphasize and take advantage of both the efficient organization and ready accessibility and availability of health care facilities and resources through enrollment in managed health care plans and new and innovative fee-for-service managed health care plan approaches to the delivery of health care services.