Amended IN Assembly May 11, 2020 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 3118Introduced by Assembly Member BontaFebruary 21, 2020 An act to add Section 14132.76 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 3118, as amended, Bonta. Medically supportive food and nutrition services. food.Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including enteral nutrition products, pursuant to a schedule of benefits, and subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, until January 1, 2021, or as otherwise specified, requires the department to establish a 3-year pilot program in specified counties, including the Counties of Alameda and Sonoma, to provide medically tailored meals, as defined, to Medi-Cal participants with specified health conditions, such as cancer and renal disease.This bill would expand the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits to include medically supportive food and nutrition services, such as medically tailored groceries and meals, and nutrition education. The bill would provide that the benefit include services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services and transportation for accessing healthy food. food, such as healthy food vouchers or renewable food prescriptions, for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a specified chronic health condition, including diabetes or heart disease, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases. The bill would authorize the department, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish utilization controls, including the limitation on the number of services, and to enter into contracts for purposes of implementing these provisions. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions by various means, including provider bulletins, without taking regulatory action, and would condition the implementation of these provisions to the extent permitted by federal law, the availability of federal financial participation, and the department securing federal approval.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 14132.76 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14132.75, to read:14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:(A)(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(B)(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(C)(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(b)(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.(c)(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.(d)(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
Amended IN Assembly May 11, 2020 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 3118Introduced by Assembly Member BontaFebruary 21, 2020 An act to add Section 14132.76 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 3118, as amended, Bonta. Medically supportive food and nutrition services. food.Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including enteral nutrition products, pursuant to a schedule of benefits, and subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, until January 1, 2021, or as otherwise specified, requires the department to establish a 3-year pilot program in specified counties, including the Counties of Alameda and Sonoma, to provide medically tailored meals, as defined, to Medi-Cal participants with specified health conditions, such as cancer and renal disease.This bill would expand the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits to include medically supportive food and nutrition services, such as medically tailored groceries and meals, and nutrition education. The bill would provide that the benefit include services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services and transportation for accessing healthy food. food, such as healthy food vouchers or renewable food prescriptions, for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a specified chronic health condition, including diabetes or heart disease, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases. The bill would authorize the department, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish utilization controls, including the limitation on the number of services, and to enter into contracts for purposes of implementing these provisions. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions by various means, including provider bulletins, without taking regulatory action, and would condition the implementation of these provisions to the extent permitted by federal law, the availability of federal financial participation, and the department securing federal approval.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly May 11, 2020
Amended IN Assembly May 11, 2020
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 3118
Introduced by Assembly Member BontaFebruary 21, 2020
Introduced by Assembly Member Bonta
February 21, 2020
An act to add Section 14132.76 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 3118, as amended, Bonta. Medically supportive food and nutrition services. food.
Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including enteral nutrition products, pursuant to a schedule of benefits, and subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, until January 1, 2021, or as otherwise specified, requires the department to establish a 3-year pilot program in specified counties, including the Counties of Alameda and Sonoma, to provide medically tailored meals, as defined, to Medi-Cal participants with specified health conditions, such as cancer and renal disease.This bill would expand the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits to include medically supportive food and nutrition services, such as medically tailored groceries and meals, and nutrition education. The bill would provide that the benefit include services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services and transportation for accessing healthy food. food, such as healthy food vouchers or renewable food prescriptions, for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a specified chronic health condition, including diabetes or heart disease, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases. The bill would authorize the department, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish utilization controls, including the limitation on the number of services, and to enter into contracts for purposes of implementing these provisions. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions by various means, including provider bulletins, without taking regulatory action, and would condition the implementation of these provisions to the extent permitted by federal law, the availability of federal financial participation, and the department securing federal approval.
Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including enteral nutrition products, pursuant to a schedule of benefits, and subject to utilization controls, such as prior authorization. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, until January 1, 2021, or as otherwise specified, requires the department to establish a 3-year pilot program in specified counties, including the Counties of Alameda and Sonoma, to provide medically tailored meals, as defined, to Medi-Cal participants with specified health conditions, such as cancer and renal disease.
This bill would expand the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits to include medically supportive food and nutrition services, such as medically tailored groceries and meals, and nutrition education. The bill would provide that the benefit include services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services and transportation for accessing healthy food. food, such as healthy food vouchers or renewable food prescriptions, for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a specified chronic health condition, including diabetes or heart disease, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases. The bill would authorize the department, in consultation with stakeholders, to establish utilization controls, including the limitation on the number of services, and to enter into contracts for purposes of implementing these provisions. The bill would require the department to implement these provisions by various means, including provider bulletins, without taking regulatory action, and would condition the implementation of these provisions to the extent permitted by federal law, the availability of federal financial participation, and the department securing federal approval.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 14132.76 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14132.75, to read:14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:(A)(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(B)(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(C)(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(b)(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.(c)(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.(d)(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 14132.76 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14132.75, to read:14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:(A)(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(B)(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(C)(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(b)(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.(c)(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.(d)(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
SECTION 1. Section 14132.76 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14132.75, to read:
### SECTION 1.
14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:(A)(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(B)(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(C)(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(b)(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.(c)(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.(d)(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:(A)(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(B)(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(C)(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(b)(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.(c)(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.(d)(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:(A)(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(B)(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.(C)(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.(b)(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.(c)(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.(d)(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.
14132.76. (a) To It is the intent of the Legislature to increase positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by providing medically supportive food to them and linking that food to nutritional and behavioral supports, including, but not limited to, nutrition education, group medical visits, cooking education, and behavioral counseling.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Food prescription means a dosage of medically supportive food approved by a provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.
(2) Healthy food voucher means a coupon for free or discounted medically supportive food.
(3) Medically supportive food means any nutrient rich whole food, including any fruit, vegetable, legume, nut, seed, and whole grain used as a medical treatment to address a specific health condition when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reversal, or management of a specific chronic disease.
(c) To the extent funds are made available in the annual Budget Act for this purpose, medically supportive food and nutrition services are a covered benefit, is a covered benefit for a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has a chronic health condition, including prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or obesity, when utilizing evidence-based practices that demonstrate the prevention, reduction, or reversal of those specified diseases, subject to utilization controls, as described in Section 14133. This benefit shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Direct direct medically supportive food assistance, such as all of the following:
(A)
(1) Healthy food boxes, groceries, or meals to prevent or prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.
(B)
(2) Healthy food vouchers and food prescriptions to prevent or for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, including fruits and vegetables. disease.
(3) Renewable food prescriptions for food, including fruits and vegetables, to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease.
(C)
(4) Medically tailored groceries and meals.
(2)Nutrition education, cooking education, and behavioral coaching and counseling, when paired with direct medically supportive food assistance, as specified in paragraph (1).
(3)Services that link a Medi-Cal beneficiary to community-based food services, including food bank referrals, and application assistance for CalFresh, as specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6, and the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as set forth in Article 1 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.
(4)Transportation for accessing healthy food to prevent or manage chronic disease.
(d) The department, in consultation with stakeholders, may establish utilization controls, as described in Section 14133, with respect to the limitation on the number of services, including how these services may be restricted as to a set number within a specified time frame. In developing these utilization controls, the department shall consider the nutritional needs of a recipient to prevent, reverse, or manage chronic disease, their acuity, and other selection criteria.
(e) For purposes of implementing this section, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid or negotiated basis, and shall prioritize public, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that provide California-grown produce and products. Any contract entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, and Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.
(b)
(f) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department shall implement this section by means of a provider bulletin or similar instruction, without taking regulatory action.
(c)
(g) This section shall only be implemented to the extent permitted by federal law.
(d)
(h) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.