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.