(a) In addition to the issuance of Medi-Cal cards, pursuant to Section 14017.8, the department may issue a benefits identification card for the purpose of identifying an individual who has been determined eligible for health care benefits under this chapter or health care benefits under another health care program administered by the department, or both.
(b) The department may also issue a benefits identification card for the purpose of identifying an individual who has been determined eligible to receive health care services from a Medi-Cal provider under one of the following programs:
(1) The Healthy Families Program under Part 6.2 (commencing with Section 12693) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code.
(2) The Access for Infants and Mothers Program under Part 6.3 (commencing with Section 12695) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code.
(c) In no event shall a benefits identification card be issued to an individual described in subdivision (a) or (b) unless appropriate and adequate safeguards have been implemented to ensure all of the following:
(1) If the individual has been determined eligible for health care benefits under another health care program administered by the department or a program identified in subdivision (b), that health care program pays for any and all health care benefits delivered to the individual by that health care program.
(2) State funds appropriated to or federal Medicaid financial participation claimed by the Medi-Cal program shall only be used for the delivery of health care benefits authorized pursuant to this chapter.
(d) The individual described in subdivision (a) or (b) may present the benefits identification card to obtain health care benefits for which that individual has been determined eligible under this chapter, or health care benefits under another health care program administered by the department or a program identified in subdivision (b), or all of them.
(e) Where applicable, all laws, regulations, restrictions, conditions, and terms of participation regarding the possession, billing, and use of Medi-Cal cards shall also apply to a benefits identification card.
(f) For the purposes of this section, “benefits” includes medically necessary services, goods, supplies, or merchandise.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 29, Sec. 9. (AB 102) Effective June 29, 2011.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018