(a) The department shall require that each applicant for or beneficiary of Medi-Cal, including a child, who is not a recipient of aid under the provisions of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) shall provide his or her social security account number, or numbers, if he or she has more than one such number.
(b) The requirement for a social security account number shall be a condition of eligibility only for the applicant who is seeking or the beneficiary who is receiving (1) full-scope medical benefits or (2), pursuant to Section 14007.5, restricted medical benefits (emergency and pregnancy-related services only), and, in either case, who declares, as required in subdivision (d), that he or she is a citizen or national of the United States, and, if he or she is not a citizen or national of the United States, that he or she has satisfactory immigration status.
(c) The requirement for a social security account number shall not be a condition of eligibility for the applicant who is seeking or the beneficiary who is receiving, pursuant to Section 14007.5, restricted medical benefits (emergency and pregnancy-related services only), and who has not made the declaration, as required in subdivision (d), that he or she is not a citizen or national of the United States, and, if he or she is not a citizen or national of the United States, that he or she does not have satisfactory immigration status.
(d) Every applicant or beneficiary or, in the case of a child, by the child’s caretaker relative or legal guardian on his or her behalf shall declare, under penalty of perjury, that he or she is, or is not any of the following:
(1) A citizen of the United States.
(2) A national of the United States.
(3) An alien who has satisfactory immigration status.
(e) (1) Notwithstanding Section 50301.1 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, an individual who declares to be a citizen or national of the United States in accordance with Section 1903(i)(22) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396b(i)(22)) shall present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality in compliance with Section 1903(x) (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396b(x) of the federal Social Security Act). Except as otherwise provided in Section 14007.2 and in paragraph (7), no services shall be available under this chapter for an individual who fails to comply with the documentation requirements of this section.
(2) (A) The documentation required pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be provided once by each individual, as follows:
(i) During the initial application process for applicants.
(ii) During the redetermination process for existing beneficiaries.
(B) If the documentation is obtained from a beneficiary, the county shall maintain a copy of the documentation in the case file of the beneficiary, and shall not request this documentation again.
(C) If electronic verification is used, a record of the documentation shall be maintained in the case record and shall not be requested again.
(D) Once the required documentation has been obtained by the county, the beneficiary shall not be required to provide it again, even if he or she is transferring to or applying in a new county.
(3) To the extent that federal financial participation is available, the department shall provide for exceptions or alternatives to the documentation requirements imposed by this subdivision as a means of providing individuals with increased flexibility and ability to provide satisfactory documentary evidence within a reasonable period of time. These exceptions or alternatives may include, but shall not be limited to, using an expanded list of acceptable documents, relying on electronic data matches for birth certificates, relying on a sworn affidavit of citizenship with respect to an individual who can demonstrate good cause for his or her inability or other failure to provide the required documentation, and relying on other information that may be available electronically.
(4) (A) To the extent that federal financial participation is available, the department shall rely on the eligibility determinations for the CalWORKs program or the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care program as meeting the requirements of this section.
(B) To the extent that federal financial participation is available, an individual shall be deemed to have met the documentation requirements of this subdivision if the individual has been determined to be eligible for supplemental security income pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq.).
(5) The following provisions shall apply to the extent that federal financial participation is available:
(A) If an individual cooperates in the effort to obtain and present the documentation required under this subdivision, the individual shall be given as much time as is allowed by federal law and policy to present that documentation.
(B) During the time period described in subparagraph (A), an applicant shall receive the scope of Medi-Cal benefits for which the applicant is otherwise eligible.
(6) To the extent that federal financial participation is available, the county shall do all of the following to assist an individual in obtaining and presenting the documentation required under this subdivision:
(A) For an applicant who does not present the required documentation at the time of application, the county, during the time period described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5), shall assist the applicant in obtaining that documentation.
(B) For a current beneficiary who has not yet documented his or her citizenship, the county shall do the following:
(i) If, at the time of annual redetermination, the beneficiary returns the annual redetermination form and, but for the failure to present the required documentation, continued eligibility could be established, the county shall do the following:
(I) Review county eligibility files and records, and the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System, to access those documents. This review shall include a review of any CalWORKs or CalFresh files that may exist for the beneficiary.
(II) Attempt to reach the beneficiary by telephone to advise the beneficiary as to the need to obtain and present the required documentation.
(III) If the beneficiary fails to respond to the telephone contact or present the required documents, send a second form to the beneficiary that highlights the documentation being requested and informs the beneficiary to contact the county. The form shall be written in a simple, clear, consumer-friendly manner, and shall explain why the documentation is necessary.
(IV) If the beneficiary fails to contact the county, the county shall make another attempt to reach the beneficiary by telephone to advise the beneficiary of the need to obtain and present the required documentation.
(ii) Document in the case file any efforts made to contact and advise the beneficiary as to the need to obtain and present the required documentation.
(C) If a beneficiary fails to present the required documentation after the process required under clause (i), the county shall send a 10-day notice of action to indicate that the beneficiary’s benefits are reduced to those made available under Section 14007.2.
(7) To the extent federal financial participation is available, and only to the extent any necessary federal approvals have been obtained, the department may, in its discretion, elect the option referenced in Section 1396a(a)(46)(B)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1). This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2010, or when all necessary agreements with the Commissioner of Social Security are in place, whichever is later. The department may implement this paragraph earlier than January 1, 2010, only to the extent allowed by federal law or guidance.
(8) (A) Any benefits provided in accordance with subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) shall terminate if any of the following occurs:
(i) The individual does not obtain and present the required documentation within the time period provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5).
(ii) The documentation is received by the county and the county has made a final determination of eligibility.
(B) The termination of Medi-Cal benefits under this paragraph shall occur without the necessity of further review or determination by the department. This shall not affect an individual’s right to a hearing with respect to the denial of the application or termination of eligibility resulting from the annual eligibility redetermination.
(9) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this subdivision by means of an all-county letter or similar instruction without taking regulatory action. Within three years from the date that this subdivision becomes effective, the department shall 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.
(10) The department shall notify and consult with advocates, providers, counties, and health plans in implementing, interpreting, or making specific this subdivision.
(11) The department shall file all necessary state plan amendments to implement the requirements of this subdivision. Upon filing any state plan amendment, the department shall provide the appropriate fiscal committees of the Legislature with a copy of the state plan amendment.
(12) If any part of this subdivision is in conflict with or does not comply with federal law, the subdivision shall be implemented only to the extent that federal law permits. Any part that is in conflict with or does not comply with federal law shall be severable from the remaining portions of this subdivision.
(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2009, 4th Ex., Ch. 5) by Stats. 2011, Ch. 227, Sec. 61. (AB 1400) Effective January 1, 2012.)