(a) The department shall, not later than July 1, 1998, create and implement a simplified application package for the following Medi-Cal applicants, as described under Section 1902(l)(3) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(l)(3)):
(1) Children.
(2) Pregnant women and infants.
(b) In developing the application package described in this section, the department shall seek input from the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board and persons with expertise, including beneficiary representatives, counties, and beneficiaries.
(c) The department shall permit an applicant to whom subdivision (a) applies to apply for benefits by mailing in the simplified application package. The package shall include, but not be limited to, the following items, as they now exist or may be changed from time to time:
(1) An application for cash aid, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal.
(2) A statement of citizenship, alienage, and immigration status.
(3) A statement of facts.
(4) Important information for persons requesting Medi-Cal.
(5) The Child Health and Disability Prevention Program brochure.
(d) The department shall not require an applicant who submits a simplified application pursuant to subdivision (c) to complete a face-to-face interview, except for good cause, a suspicion of fraud, or to complete the application process. Every application package shall contain a notification of the applicant’s right to complete a face-to-face interview.
(e) The department shall implement this section only to the extent that its provisions are not violative of the requirements of federal law, and only to the extent that federal financial participation is not jeopardized.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 60. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)