Section 14005.185 - Medi-Cal benefits eligibility during and following pregnancy(a) Notwithstanding Section 15840, the income eligibility requirements specified in Section 15832, and the annual redetermination requirements described in Section 14005.37, a pregnant individual or targeted low-income child who is eligible for and is receiving health care coverage under a Medi-Cal program identified in subdivision (b) shall be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits for the duration of the pregnancy and for a period of one year following the last day of the individual's pregnancy.(b) For purposes of this section, "Medi-Cal program" refers to any of the following programs:(1) The Medi-Cal Access Program, as described in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15810) of Part 3.3.(2) The Medi-Cal program, as described in this article.(3) The Perinatal Services Program, as described in Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 14148).(c) The department shall seek any federal approvals, including under Titles XIX and XXI of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.), that it determines are necessary to extend coverage for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals or targeted low-income children as described in this section.(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), coverage described in this section shall commence on April 1, 2022, or the effective date or dates reflected in any necessary federal approvals obtained by the department pursuant to subdivision (c), whichever is later.(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), coverage described in this section for populations authorized under Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1397aa) shall be effective on the date reflected in any necessary federal approvals obtained by the department pursuant to subdivision (c).(e) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, provider bulletins, or similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action.(f) Implementation of this section is subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, or any other act approved by the Legislature, for the purposes described in this section.(g)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available and not otherwise jeopardized.(2) With respect to coverage described in the section for populations authorized under Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1397aa), the department may implement this section prior to receipt of all necessary federal approvals, so long as the department determines that federal financial participation under the Medi-Cal program is not otherwise jeopardized.Ca. Welf. and Inst. Code § 14005.185
Added by Stats 2021 ch 143 (AB 133),s 363, eff. 7/27/2021.