Medi-Cal: behavioral health: individuals with vision loss.

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, including certain behavioral health services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. This bill would require the department to establish a pilot project to provide funding for targeted outreach by participating counties to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, regarding behavioral health services that are covered by the Medi-Cal program. The bill would require that the pilot project be implemented in at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, as specified. The bill would require the participating counties to conduct outreach, as specified, and report certain information to the department and the Legislature no later than December 31, 2025. The bill would make related legislative findings. The bill would condition implementation of the pilot project on an appropriation by the Legislature, receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and the availability of federal financial participation.