Medi-Cal: street medicine.

Assembly Member Mark González's street medicine legislation aims to expand healthcare access for Californians experiencing homelessness by enabling medical providers to deliver services directly where people live and streamlining Medi-Cal enrollment processes. The bill establishes a new framework for street medicine under the state's Medicaid program, allowing providers to conduct patient visits in non-traditional settings like encampments and vehicles.

The legislation requires Medi-Cal managed care plans to reimburse providers for off-site medical services regardless of network assignment, removing a key barrier to care delivery. It creates a presumptive eligibility pathway specifically for people experiencing homelessness to receive immediate full-scope Medi-Cal benefits while their complete application is processed. The bill also mandates data sharing between Medi-Cal and the California Statewide Automated Welfare System to better identify and track homeless status among beneficiaries.

To facilitate implementation, the bill authorizes street medicine providers to make eligibility determinations and requires managed care plans to establish referral mechanisms for specialty care, medications, and medical equipment. While plans may set reasonable network participation requirements, these must align with the goal of expanding services to homeless beneficiaries. The provisions take effect upon federal approval and availability of federal matching funds, with the Department of Health Care Services authorized to issue guidance through administrative channels until formal regulations are adopted.