(a) When determining whether an individual is eligible for Medi-Cal benefits, the department shall verify the accuracy of the information identified in this section that is provided as a part of the application or redetermination process in conformity with this section.
(b) Prior to requesting additional verification from an applicant or beneficiary for information he or she provides as part of the application or redetermination process, the department shall obtain information about an individual that is available electronically from other state and federal agencies and programs in determining an individual’s eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits or for potential eligibility for an insurance affordability program offered through the California Health Benefit Exchange established pursuant to Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500) of the Government Code. Needed information shall be obtained from the following sources, as well as any other source the department determines is useful:
(1) Information related to wages, net earnings from self-employment, unearned income, and resources from any of the following:
(A) The State Wage Information Collection Agency.
(B) The federal Internal Revenue Service.
(C) The federal Social Security Administration.
(D) The Employment Development Department.
(E) The state administered supplementary payment program under Section 1382e of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(F) Any state program administered under a plan approved under Titles I, X, XIV, or XVI of the federal Social Security Act.
(2) Information related to eligibility or enrollment from any of the following:
(A) The CalFresh program pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6.
(B) The CalWORKS program.
(C) The state’s children’s health insurance program under Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.).
(D) The California Health Benefit Exchange established pursuant Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500) of the Government Code.
(E) The electronic service established in accordance with Section 435.949 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) (1) If the income information obtained by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) is reasonably compatible with the information provided by or on behalf of the individual, the department shall accept the information provided by or on behalf of the individual as being accurate.
(2) If the income information obtained by the department is not reasonably compatible with the information provided by or on behalf of the individual, the department shall require that the individual provide additional information that reasonably explains the discrepancy.
(3) For the purposes of this subdivision, income information obtained by the department is reasonably compatible with information provided by or on behalf of an individual if any of the following conditions are met:
(A) Both state that the individual’s income is above the applicable income standard or other relevant income threshold for eligibility.
(B) Both state that the individual’s income is at or below the applicable income standard or other relevant income threshold for eligibility.
(C) The information provided by or on behalf of the individual states that the individual’s income is above, and the information obtained by the department states that the individual’s income is at or below, the applicable income standard or other relevant income threshold for eligibility.
(4) If subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3) applies, the individual shall be informed that the income information provided by him or her was higher than the information that was electronically verified and that he or she may request a reconciliation of the difference. This paragraph shall be implemented no later than January 1, 2015.
(d) (1) The department shall accept the attestation of the individual regarding whether she is pregnant unless the department has information that is not reasonably compatible with the attestation.
(2) If the information obtained by the department is not reasonably compatible with the information provided by or on behalf of the individual under paragraph (1), the department shall require that the individual provide additional information that reasonably explains the discrepancy.
(e) If any information not described in subdivision (c) or (d) that is needed for an eligibility determination or redetermination and is obtained by the department is not reasonably compatible with the information provided by or on behalf of the individual, the department shall require that the individual provide additional information that reasonably explains the discrepancy.
(f) The department shall develop, and update as it is modified, a verification plan describing the verification policies and procedures adopted by the department to verify eligibility information. If the department determines that any state or federal agencies or programs not previously identified in the verification plan are useful in determining an individual’s eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits or for potential eligibility, for an insurance affordability program offered through the California Health Benefit Exchange, the department shall update the verification plan to identify those additional agencies or programs. The development and modification of the verification plan shall be undertaken in consultation with representatives from county human services departments, legal aid advocates, and the Legislature. This verification plan shall conform to all federal requirements and shall be posted on the department’s Internet Web site.
(g) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall 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 regulations are adopted. 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. 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 until regulations have been adopted.
(h) 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.
(i) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.
(Added by Stats. 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 3, Sec. 15. (AB 1 1x) Effective September 30, 2013. Section operative January 1, 2014, by its own provisions.)