(a) The department shall file a state plan amendment to exercise the federal option under subdivision (h) of Section 435.603 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations to allow beneficiaries to use projected annual household income and to allow applicants and beneficiaries to use reasonably predictable annual income as set forth in this section when determining their eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.
(b) (1) Beneficiaries shall be allowed to use projected annual household income to establish eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits for the remainder of the calendar year in which that projected income is used to determine eligibility if the current monthly income would render the beneficiary ineligible due to an increase in income.
(2) If projected annual household income has been used by the beneficiary, the department shall redetermine the beneficiary’s Medi-Cal benefits at the end of the calendar year.
(c) (1) Applicants and beneficiaries shall be allowed to use reasonably predictable annual income to establish eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.
(2) Before being allowed to use reasonably predictable annual income to establish eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits, the applicant or beneficiary shall provide the department with adequate evidence of the predicted change, including, but not limited to, a signed contract for employment, clear proof of a history of predictable fluctuations in income, or other clear indicia of such future changes in income.
(d) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 71, Sec. 194. (SB 1304) Effective January 1, 2015.)