Lawmakers OK Bill To Speed Up Medi-Cal Provider Approvals

Last week, California lawmakers passed a bill (AB 2051) that would shorten wait times for primary care clinics seeking approval to treat Medi-Cal beneficiaries, the Sacramento Business Journal reports. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.

The measure now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown (D).

Background

The state usually approves clinics for treating Medi-Cal beneficiaries within 30 days of applying, according to the Business Journal.

However, Doug Kim, director of legislation for the California Primary Care Association, said clinics sometimes wait for at least six months before receiving the Medi-Cal provider number that is necessary for billing the state.

Details of Bill

The bill, by Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), aims to increase access to care for the more than 1.9 million new beneficiaries who signed up for Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act.

The bill would require the state Department of Health Care Services to:

• Approve Medi-Cal enrollment and issue a provider number within 30 days; or
• Inform applicants of any problems that might delay the process.

The reduced wait time would apply to clinics that are affiliated with facilities that already have been approved by Medi-Cal (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 8/25).