(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in order to implement changes in the level of funding for radiology services, as defined in Section 51139 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, the director shall reduce reimbursement rates applicable to radiology services, as specified in this section.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, reimbursement rates applicable to radiology services shall not exceed 80 percent of the lowest maximum allowance established under the federal Medicare Program for the same or similar services with dates of service on or after October 1, 2010.
(c) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may take the actions specified in this section by means of a provider bulletin or notice, policy letter, or other similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.
(d) (1) The reimbursement rates provided for in this section shall be implemented only if the director determines that the rates, as established by this section, will comply with applicable federal Medicaid requirements and that federal financial participation will be available.
(2) In assessing whether federal financial participation is available, the director shall determine whether the rates comply with applicable federal Medicaid requirements, including those set forth in Section 1396a(a)(30)(A) of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(3) To the extent that the director determines that the rates do not comply with applicable federal Medicaid requirements, the director shall retain the discretion not to implement that rate and may revise the rate as necessary to comply with the federal Medicaid requirements.
(e) The director shall seek any necessary federal approval for the implementation of this section. To the extent that federal financial participation is not available with respect to any rate of reimbursement described by this section, the director shall retain the discretion not to implement that rate and may revise the rate as necessary to comply with the federal Medicaid requirements.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 717, Sec. 148. (SB 853) Effective October 19, 2010.)