AB 1963: Medi-Cal: reimbursement: opioid addiction treatment.

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 establishes the Drug Medi-Cal Treatment Program (Drug Medi-Cal), under which the department is authorized to enter into contracts with each county, or enter into contracts directly with certified providers, for the provision of various alcohol and drug use treatment services, including substance use disorder services, narcotic treatment program services, naltrexone services, and outpatient drug-free services, to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

This bill would require the department to increase the Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates, as specified, for medication-assisted treatments, buprenorphine/naloxone combination treatment, or similar treatment services, methadone treatment, and naltrexone treatment, provided by certified providers, for opioid addiction.