SB 4: Health care coverage: immigration status.

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 extends eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits to individuals under 19 years of age who do not have, or are unable to establish, satisfactory immigration status, commencing after the Director of Health Care Services determines that systems have been programmed for implementation of this extension, but in no case sooner than May 1, 2016. Existing law requires these individuals to enroll in a Medi-Cal managed care health plan in those counties in which a Medi-Cal managed care health plan is available.

This bill would require individuals under 19 years of age enrolled in restricted-scope Medi-Cal at the time the director makes the above-described determination to be enrolled in the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits, if otherwise eligible, pursuant to an eligibility and enrollment plan, as specified. The bill would require the department, beginning January 31, 2016, and until the director makes the above-described determination, to provide monthly updates to the policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature, as specified. The bill would also require that an individual who is eligible pursuant to these provisions enroll in a Medi-Cal managed care health plan. The bill would not preclude a beneficiary from being enrolled in any other childrens Medi-Cal specialty program that he or she would otherwise be eligible for.