BILL NUMBER: SB 966INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Alquist FEBRUARY 5, 2010 An act to add Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 14183) to Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 966, as introduced, Alquist. Medi-Cal: medical homes. Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which health care services are provided to qualified low-income recipients. One of the methods by which these services are provided is pursuant to contracts with various types of managed care plans. This bill would require the department to develop a definition of "medical home," as specified. This bill would also require the department to establish a timetable for Medi-Cal managed care plans to provide beneficiaries with a medical home. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 14183) is added to Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: Article 5.5. Medical Home 14183. The department shall develop a definition of "medical home" that is consistent with the 2008 Physician Practice Connections-Patient-Centered Medical Home Standards and Guidelines established by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. 14183.2. The department shall establish a timetable for Medi-Cal managed care plans to provide beneficiaries with a medical home. 14183.4. 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 regulatory action, implement this article by means of all-county letters or similar instructions.