(a) To the extent federal financial participation is available, the department shall exercise the option provided in Section 1920a of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396r-1a) to implement a program for accelerated enrollment of children.
(b) The department shall designate the single point of entry, as defined in subdivision (c), as the qualified entity for determining eligibility under this section.
(c) For purposes of this section, “single point of entry” means the centralized processing entity that accepts and screens applications for benefits under the Medi-Cal Program for the purpose of forwarding them to the appropriate counties.
(d) The department shall implement this section only if, and to the extent that, federal financial participation is available.
(e) The department shall seek federal approval of any state plan amendments necessary to implement this section. When federal approval of the state plan amendment or amendments is received, the department shall commence implementation of this section on the first day of the second month following the month in which federal approval of the state plan amendment or amendments is received, or on July 1, 2002, whichever is later.
(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall, without taking any regulatory action, implement this section by means of all-county letters. Thereafter, 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.
(g) Upon the receipt of an application for a child who has coverage pursuant to the accelerated enrollment program, a county shall determine whether the child is eligible for Medi-Cal benefits. If the county determines that the child does not meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the Medi-Cal program, the county shall report this finding to the Medical Eligibility Data System so that accelerated enrollment coverage benefits are discontinued. The information to be reported shall consist of the minimum data elements necessary to discontinue that coverage for the child. This subdivision shall become operative on July 1, 2002, or the date that the program for accelerated enrollment coverage for children takes effect, whichever is later.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 188, Sec. 35. Effective August 24, 2007.)