Amended  IN  Assembly  March 18, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 1642
Introduced by Assembly Member Wood

February 22, 2019

An act to amend Section 14197 14197.05 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1642, as amended, Wood. Medi-Cal: managed care plans.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which healthcare health care services are provided to qualified, low-income persons. persons through various health care delivery systems, including managed care pursuant to Medi-Cal managed care plan contracts. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under existing law, one of the methods by which Medi-Cal services are provided is pursuant to contracts with various types of managed care plans. Existing federal regulations, among other things, regulations require a state that contracts with specified Medicaid managed care plans to develop and enforce network adequacy standards and requires standards, require each state to ensure that all services covered under the Medicaid state plan are available and accessible to enrollees of specified Medicaid managed care plans in a timely manner. manner, and require each state to contract with a qualified external quality review organization (EQRO) to annually produce an external quality review technical report that summarizes findings on access and quality of care. Existing law, among other things, state law establishes, until January 1, 2022, certain time and distance and appointment time standards for specified services consistent with those federal regulations to ensure that all Medi-Cal managed care covered services are available and accessible to enrollees of Medi-Cal managed care plans in a timely manner, as specified. manner, and requires the EQRO to compile various data, by plan and by county, related to time and distance standards, including the number of requests for alternative access standards in the plan service area for time and distance.
This bill would require the information compiled by the EQRO to include the extent to which each Medi-Cal managed care plan uses clinically appropriate telecommunications technology to meet established time and distance standards.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 14197.05 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:
14197.05. (a) As part of the federally required external quality review organization (EQRO) review of Medi-Cal managed care plans in the annual detailed technical report required by Section 438.364 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, effective for contract periods commencing on or after July 1, 2018, the EQRO entity designated by the department shall compile the data described in subdivision (b) (b), by plan and by county county, for the purpose of informing the status of implementation of the requirements of Section 14197.
(b) (1) The information compiled by the EQRO entity shall include all of the following:
(A) Number of requests for alternative access standards in the plan service area for time and distance, categorized by all provider types, including specialists, and by adult and pediatric.
(B) Number of allowable exceptions for the appointment time standard, if known, categorized by all provider types, including specialists, and by adult and pediatric.
(C) Distance and driving time between the nearest network provider and ZIP Code of the beneficiary furthest from that provider for requests for alternative access standards.
(D) Approximate number of beneficiaries impacted by alternative access standards or allowable exceptions.
(E) Percentage of providers in the plan service area area, by provider and specialty type type, that are under a contract with a Medi-Cal managed care plan.
(F) The number of requests for alternative access standards approved or denied by ZIP Code and provider and specialty type, and the reasons for the approval or denial of the request for alternative access standards.
(G) The process of ensuring out-of-network access.
(H) Descriptions of contracting efforts and explanation for why a contract was not executed.
(I) Timeframe for approval or denial of a request for alternative access standards by the department.
(J) Consumer complaints, if any.
(K) The extent to which each Medi-Cal managed care plan uses clinically appropriate telecommunications technology, including telehealth, consistent with the requirements of Section 2290.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and e-visits, as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (e) of Section 14197, to meet the time and distance standards established pursuant to Section 14197.
(2) The information described in paragraph (1) shall be presented in a chart format to enable comparison among counties, provider types, and plans.
(c) The EQRO entity shall develop a methodology to assess information that will help inform the experience of individuals placed in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility and the distance that they are placed from their place of residence. The EQRO entity shall report the results from the use of this methodology in the EQRO annual Medi-Cal managed care plan technical report.
(d) The department shall comply with the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 438.364 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations in making the information described in this section publicly available.
SECTION 1.Section 14197 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:14197.

(a)It is the intent of the Legislature that the department implement and monitor compliance with the time and distance requirements set forth in Sections 438.68, 438.206, and 438.207 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations and this section, to ensure that all Medi-Cal managed care covered services are available and accessible to enrollees of Medi-Cal managed care plans in a timely manner, as those standards were enacted in May 2016.

(b)Commencing January 1, 2018, for covered benefits under its contract, as applicable, a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall maintain a network of providers that are located within the following time and distance standards for the following services:

(1)For primary care, both adult and pediatric, 10 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence.

(2)For hospitals, 15 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence.

(3)For dental services provided by a Medi-Cal managed care plan, 10 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence.

(4)For obstetrics and gynecology primary care, 10 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence.

(c)Commencing July 1, 2018, for the covered benefits under its contracts, as applicable, a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall maintain a network of providers that are located within the following time and distance standards for the following services:

(1)For specialists, as defined in subdivision (h), adult and pediatric, including obstetric and gynecology specialty care, as follows:

(A)Up to 15 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.

(B)Up to 30 miles or 60 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Marin, Placer, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura.

(C)Up to 45 miles or 75 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba.

(D)Up to 60 miles or 90 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, San Benito, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, and Tuolumne.

(2)For pharmacy services, 10 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence.

(3)For outpatient mental health services, as follows:

(A)Up to 15 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.

(B)Up to 30 miles or 60 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Marin, Placer, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura.

(C)Up to 45 miles or 75 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba.

(D)Up to 60 miles or 90 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, San Benito, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, and Tuolumne.

(4)(A)For outpatient substance use disorder services other than opioid treatment programs, as follows:

(i)Up to 15 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.

(ii)Up to 30 miles or 60 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Marin, Placer, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura.

(iii)Up to 60 miles or 90 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Monterey, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

(B)For opioid treatment programs, as follows:

(i)Up to 15 miles or 30 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.

(ii)Up to 30 miles or 60 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Marin, Placer, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura.

(iii)Up to 45 miles or 75 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba.

(iv)Up to 60 miles or 90 minutes from the enrollee’s place of residence for the following counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, San Benito, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, and Tuolumne.

(d)(1)(A)A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall comply with the appointment time standards developed pursuant to Section 1367.03 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 1300.67.2.2 of Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations, subject to any exceptions identified in Section 1300.67.2.2 of Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations, and the standards set forth in contracts entered into between the department and Medi-Cal managed care plans.

(B)Commencing July 1, 2018, subparagraph (A) applies to a Medi-Cal managed care plan that is not, as of January 1, 2018, subject to the appointment time standards described in subparagraph (A).

(2)A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall comply with the following availability standards for skilled nursing facility services and intermediate care facility services, as follows:

(A)Within five business days of the request for the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.

(B)Within seven business days of the request for the following counties: Marin, Placer, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura.

(C)Within 14 calendar days of the request for the following counties: Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba.

(D)Within 14 calendar days of the request for the following counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, San Benito, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, and Tuolumne.

(3)A county Drug Medi-Cal organized delivery system shall provide an appointment within three business days to an opioid treatment program.

(4)A dental managed care plan shall provide an appointment within four weeks of a request for routine pediatric dental services and within 30 calendar days of a request for specialist pediatric dental services.

(e)(1)The department, upon request of a Medi-Cal managed care plan, may allow alternative access standards for the time and distance standards established under this section if either of the following occur:

(A)The requesting Medi-Cal managed care plan has exhausted all other reasonable options to obtain providers to meet the applicable standard.

(B)The department determines that the requesting Medi-Cal managed care plan has demonstrated that its delivery structure is capable of delivering the appropriate level of care and access.

(2)If a Medi-Cal managed care plan cannot meet the time and distance standards set forth in this section, the Medi-Cal managed care plan shall submit a request for alternative access standards to the department, in the form and manner specified by the department. A request may be submitted at the same time as the Medi-Cal managed care plan submits its annual demonstration of compliance with time and distance standards, if known at that time.

(3)A request for alternative access standards shall be approved or denied on a ZIP Code and provider type, including specialty type, basis by the department within 90 days of submission of the request. The Medi-Cal managed care plan shall also include a description of the reasons justifying the alternative access standards based on those facts and circumstances. The department may stop the 90-day timeframe, on one or more occasions as necessary, in the event of an incomplete submission or to obtain additional information from the Medi-Cal managed care plan requesting the alternative access standards. Upon submission of sufficient additional information to the department, the 90-day timeframe shall resume at the same point in time it was previously stopped, except if there is less than 30 days remaining in which case the department shall approve or deny the request within 30 days of submission of sufficient additional information. If the department rejects the Medi-Cal managed care plan’s proposal, the department shall inform the Medi-Cal managed care plan of the department’s reason for rejecting the proposal. The department shall post any approved alternative access standards on its internet website.

(4)The department may allow for the use of clinically appropriate telecommunications technology as a means of determining annual compliance with the time and distance standards established pursuant to this section or approving alternative access to care, including telehealth consistent with the requirements of Section 2290.5 of the Business and Professions Code, e-visits, or other evolving and innovative technological solutions that are used to provide care from a distance.

(f)(1)Effective for contract periods commencing on or after July 1, 2018, a Medi-Cal managed care plan shall, on an annual basis and when requested by the department, demonstrate to the department its compliance with the time and distance and appointment time standards developed pursuant to this section. The report shall measure compliance separately for adult and pediatric services for primary care, behavioral health, and core specialist services.

(2)Effective for contract periods commencing on or after July 1, 2018, the department shall evaluate on an annual basis a Medi-Cal managed care plan’s compliance with the time and distance and appointment time standards implemented pursuant to this section. This evaluation may include, but need not be limited to, annual and random surveys, investigation of complaints, grievances, or other indicia of noncompliance. This subdivision shall not be construed to limit the appeal rights of a Medi-Cal managed care plan under its contracts with the department.

(3)The department shall annually publish on its internet website a report that details its findings in evaluating a Medi-Cal managed care plan’s compliance under paragraph (2). At a minimum, the department shall specify in this report those Medi-Cal managed care plans, if any, that were subject to a corrective action plan due to noncompliance with the time and distance and appointment time standards implemented pursuant to this section during the applicable year and the basis for the department’s finding of noncompliance. The report shall include a Medi-Cal managed care plan’s response to the corrective plan, if available.

(g)The department shall consult with Medi-Cal managed care plans, including mental health plans, healthcare providers, consumers, providers and consumers of long term supports and services, and organizations representing Medi-Cal beneficiaries in the implementation of the requirements of this section.

(h)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)“Medi-Cal managed care plan” means any individual, organization, or entity that enters into a contract with the department to provide services to enrolled Medi-Cal beneficiaries pursuant to any of the following:

(A)Article 2.7 (commencing with Section 14087.3), including dental managed care programs developed pursuant to Section 14087.46.

(B)Article 2.8 (commencing with Section 14087.5).

(C)Article 2.81 (commencing with Section 14087.96).

(D)Article 2.82 (commencing with Section 14087.98).

(E)Article 2.9 (commencing with Section 14088).

(F)Article 2.91 (commencing with Section 14089).

(G)Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200), including dental managed care plans.

(H)Chapter 8.9 (commencing with Section 14700).

(I)A county Drug Medi-Cal organized delivery system authorized under the California Medi-Cal 2020 Demonstration, Number 11-W-00193/9, as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and described in the Special Terms and Conditions. For purposes of this subdivision, “Special Terms and Conditions” shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (o) of Section 14184.10.

(2)“Specialist” means any of the following:

(A)Cardiology/interventional cardiology.

(B)Nephrology.

(C)Dermatology.

(D)Neurology.

(E)Endocrinology.

(F)Ophthalmology.

(G)Ear, nose, and throat/otolaryngology.

(H)Orthopedic surgery.

(I)Gastroenterology.

(J)Physical medicine and rehabilitation.

(K)General surgery.

(L)Psychiatry.

(M)Hematology.

(N)Oncology.

(O)Pulmonology.

(P)HIV/AIDS specialists/infectious diseases.

(i)Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted.

(j)The department shall seek any federal approvals it deems necessary to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized.

(k)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2022, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2022, deletes or extends that date.