(a) Commencing July 1, 2009, except as provided in subdivision (d), each client determined or redetermined by the department to be eligible for services provided pursuant to this article shall pay an annual enrollment fee to the department as set forth in this section.
(b) (1) There shall be an annual enrollment fee based on the client’s adjusted gross income or, if the client is a minor, the client’s parents’ or legal guardians’ combined adjusted gross income, as reported on the relevant state or federal income tax forms for the previous tax year. In calculating the enrollment fee where both a state and a federal income tax form has been filed, the higher of the two adjusted gross income amounts shall be used.
(2) For adjusted gross income between 200 and 299 percent of the federal poverty level, the annual enrollment fee shall be 1.5 percent of adjusted gross income.
(3) For adjusted gross income equal to or greater than 300 percent of the federal poverty level, the annual enrollment fee shall be 3 percent of adjusted gross income.
(4) In the event the annual enrollment fee determined pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) exceeds the cost of care incurred during the applicable year, the department shall reduce the enrollment fee by refund or credit to an amount equal to the cost of care.
(c) (1) Payment of the enrollment fee is a condition of program participation.
(2) The department may arrange for periodic payment of the fee during the year.
(3) The director, on a case-by-case basis, may waive or reduce the amount of an enrollment fee if the director determines payment of the fee will result in undue hardship for the family. Otherwise, failure to pay or arrange for payment of the enrollment fee within 60 days of the due date shall result in disenrollment and ineligibility for coverage of treatment services effective 60 days after the due date of the fee.
(d) The enrollment fee shall not be charged in the following cases:
(1) The client is eligible for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits, without being required to pay a share of cost, at the time of enrollment fee determination.
(2) The client who is otherwise eligible to receive services has, or if the client is a minor, the client’s parents or guardians have, an adjusted gross income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
(e) All enrollment fees shall be used in support of the program for services provided pursuant to this article.
(f) 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 this section by means of Genetically Handicapped Persons Program policy letters. Following consultation with a stakeholder workgroup consisting of, but not limited to, provider associations, provider representatives, and consumers groups to ensure stakeholder participation in the implementation of this section, including, but not limited to, any changes to update the application for enrollment form and the development of regulations, the department shall, within 18 months from the effective date of this section, adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(Added by Stats. 2009, 4th Ex. Sess., Ch. 5, Sec. 17. Effective July 28, 2009.)