AB-517
Health & Public Health

Medi-Cal: complex rehabilitation technology: wheelchairs.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Eliminates prior authorization requirements for powered wheelchair repairs costing under $1,250 in Medi-Cal.
  • Removes the need for new prescriptions when repairing previously approved powered wheelchairs.
  • Requires suppliers to maintain detailed repair records for post-payment audits.

Summary

Assembly Member Krell's proposal to modify Medi-Cal's complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) wheelchair repair process would eliminate prior authorization requirements for repairs costing less than $1,250. The legislation also removes the need for new prescriptions or medical necessity documentation when repairing or replacing previously approved CRT-powered wheelchairs.

Under the proposed changes, suppliers must maintain detailed records of all repairs, including specific components, justification, and labor information. While prior authorization would no longer be required for qualifying repairs, these records would be subject to postpayment audits by the Department of Health Care Services. For CRT-powered wheelchairs not already documented in Medi-Cal records, suppliers would need to establish proof of continuous medical need before implementing the streamlined repair process.

The bill maintains existing quality and accreditation requirements for CRT providers, including employment of qualified rehabilitation technology professionals and maintenance of adequate repair facilities. Implementation remains contingent on federal approval to ensure continued Medicaid funding participation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Health Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Health Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Maggy Krell
Maggy KrellD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/10/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Health Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
150015PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Eliminates prior authorization requirements for powered wheelchair repairs costing under $1,250 in Medi-Cal.
  • Removes the need for new prescriptions when repairing previously approved powered wheelchairs.
  • Requires suppliers to maintain detailed repair records for post-payment audits.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Maggy Krell
Maggy KrellD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Krell's proposal to modify Medi-Cal's complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) wheelchair repair process would eliminate prior authorization requirements for repairs costing less than $1,250. The legislation also removes the need for new prescriptions or medical necessity documentation when repairing or replacing previously approved CRT-powered wheelchairs.

Under the proposed changes, suppliers must maintain detailed records of all repairs, including specific components, justification, and labor information. While prior authorization would no longer be required for qualifying repairs, these records would be subject to postpayment audits by the Department of Health Care Services. For CRT-powered wheelchairs not already documented in Medi-Cal records, suppliers would need to establish proof of continuous medical need before implementing the streamlined repair process.

The bill maintains existing quality and accreditation requirements for CRT providers, including employment of qualified rehabilitation technology professionals and maintenance of adequate repair facilities. Implementation remains contingent on federal approval to ensure continued Medicaid funding participation.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/10/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Health Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Health Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Health Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
150015PASS

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member