(a) Notwithstanding any other state law, the department shall retain or delegate the authority to perform Medi-Cal eligibility determinations as set forth in this section.

(b) If after an assessment and verification for potential eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits using the applicable MAGI-based income standard of all persons that apply through an electronic or a paper application processed by CalHEERS, which is jointly managed by the department and the Exchange, and to the extent required by federal law and regulation is completed, the Exchange and the department is able to electronically determine the applicant’s eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits using only the information initially provided online, or through the written application submitted by, or on behalf of, the applicant, and without further staff review to verify the accuracy of the submitted information, the Exchange and the department shall determine that applicant’s eligibility for the Medi-Cal program using the applicable MAGI-based income standard.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (b) and Section 14015.7, the county of residence shall be responsible for eligibility determinations and ongoing case management for the Medi-Cal program.

(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other state law, the Exchange shall be authorized to provide information regarding available Medi-Cal managed health care plan selection options to applicants determined to be eligible for Medi-Cal benefits using the MAGI-based income standard and allow those applicants to choose an available managed health care plan.

(2) The Exchange is authorized to record an applicant’s health plan selection into CalHEERS for reporting to the department. CalHEERS shall have the ability to report to the department the results of an applicant’s health plan selection.

(e) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning six months after the effective date of this section, and notwithstanding § 10231.5 of the Government Code, the department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis until regulations have been adopted.

(f) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “ACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152).

(2) “CalHEERS” means the California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment, and Retention System developed under Section 15926.

(3) “Exchange” means the California Health Benefit Exchange established pursuant to § 100500 of the Government Code.

(4) “MAGI-based income” means income calculated using the financial methodologies described in Section 1396a(e)(14) of Title 42 of the United States Code as added by ACA and any subsequent amendments.

(g) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained.

(h) This section shall become operative on October 1, 2013.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 18, Sec. 36. (SB 75) Effective June 24, 2015.)