(a) The department may conduct onsite reviews of a provider or facility that has agreed with the primary care case management contractor or a potential contractor to provide services to beneficiaries enrolled with the contractor. These reviews may be for purposes such as evaluating the capabilities of potential contractors, monitoring quality of care, investigating complaints, and ensuring contractor compliance with the terms of the contract entered into pursuant to this article.
(b) Prior to adding a provider or facility to an existing network of providers and facilities, the primary care case management contractor shall submit a complete prequalification package to the department. The department shall provide to the contractor written acknowledgment that the package is complete within 10 working days.
(c) (1) If the provider or facility proposed for addition to the contractor’s existing network is currently enrolled in the Medi-Cal program, the provider or facility may begin treating beneficiaries enrolled with the contractor immediately upon the contractor’s receipt of the acknowledgment required by subdivision (b), subject to paragraph (2) and subdivision (d).
(2) Whenever warranted, the department may rescind the privilege provided for in paragraph (1) by advance notification to the contractor, pending the onsite review required by subdivision (d). Notification shall be in writing and describe the conditions that support the rescission of the privilege.
(d) (1) The department shall conduct an onsite review of the provider or facility within a reasonable period of time after receipt of the package, which shall be not more than 60 days after receipt of the package, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
(2) The department shall notify the contractor in writing of the department’s final decision on the request to add the provider or facility to the contractor’s existing network within 10 working days of the date of the review.
(e) In the conduct of the onsite review of the provider or facility, the department shall not condition approval of the site on adherence by the provider or facility to requirements that are not contained in any statute, regulation, or commonly accepted community standard of medical practice that directly applies to the category of provider or facility being inspected. This subdivision does not, however, relieve the contractor of any obligations under the contract entered into pursuant to this article.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 188, Sec. 56. Effective August 24, 2007.)