SB 1098: Medi-Cal: dental services: utilization rate: report.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which basic health care services are provided to qualified low-income persons. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid provisions. Existing law provides coverage for certain dental services, as specified, to Medi-Cal beneficiaries 17 years of age and under through the Denti-Cal program.

This bill would require the department to report to the Legislature, by October 1, 2017, on progress towards the goal of raising the Denti-Cal utilization rate among eligible child beneficiaries to 60% or greater and identify a date by which the department projects this utilization goal will be met. The bill would authorize the department to include in the report recommendations for legislative consideration that would assist the department to meet the goal by the specified date, as prescribed. The bills provisions would be repealed on January 1, 2021, pursuant to specified law.