(a) To the extent federal financial participation is available pursuant to an approved state plan amendment, the department shall exercise its option under Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVII)) to extend Medi-Cal benefits to independent foster care adolescents, as defined in Section 1905(w)(1) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396d(w)(1)).
(b) 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, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time any necessary regulations are adopted. The department shall adopt regulations by July 1, 2017, 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. Beginning six months after the effective date of this section, and notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, until regulations have been adopted.
(c) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 831, Sec. 5. (SB 508) Effective January 1, 2015.)