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SB 530

TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brandon Achor and 52 co-sponsors

SB 530 extends Medi-Cal time and distance standards until 2029, ensuring low-income Californians access timely healthcare services, including in-person and telehealth options.

Notification that SB530 is now Act 701
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Bill Summary · SB 530

Summary of SB 530: Medi-Cal Time and Distance Standards

Bill Number: SB 530
Introduced: February 20, 2025
Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 418, Statutes of 2025.
Subject: Medi-Cal, Time and Distance Standards

Purpose and Intent

SB 530 aims to enhance the accessibility of healthcare services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries by extending existing time and distance standards for managed care plans. The bill seeks to ensure that low-income individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal can access necessary healthcare services in a timely manner, aligning with federal Medicaid regulations.

Key Provisions

  • Extension of Standards: The bill extends the current time and distance standards for Medi-Cal managed care services from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2029.

  • Subcontractor Compliance: Managed care plans must ensure that all subcontractor networks comply with appointment time standards and demonstrate compliance to the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

  • Telehealth Provisions: While telehealth can be used to meet time and distance standards, managed care plans must still provide beneficiaries with access to in-person services, including transportation, if preferred.

  • Alternative Access Standards: Starting January 1, 2027, the DHCS will consider the adequacy of payment rates when evaluating requests for alternative access standards.

  • Documentation Requirements: Managed care plans that fail to meet time or distance standards must submit documentation of their efforts to contract with providers.

  • Enrollee Information: Effective January 1, 2026, plans must inform enrollees about their options to use telehealth, transportation services, or out-of-network providers if their healthcare provider is outside the established time or distance standards.

  • Annual Evaluations: The DHCS is required to evaluate compliance with time and distance standards annually and publish findings.

  • Enhanced Standards: The DHCS may implement more stringent time and distance standards in contracts with managed care plans, ensuring consistency across similar geographic areas.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: The DHCS must publish a workplan by January 1, 2027, and convene a stakeholder workgroup for public comment on network adequacy standards.

  • Implementation of Federal Rules: The bill allows the DHCS to amend contracts to comply with federal Medicaid regulations, with provisions becoming inoperative on January 1, 2029.

Impact

  • Beneficiaries: The bill primarily affects Medi-Cal enrollees, ensuring they have timely access to healthcare services.
  • Managed Care Plans: Plans will need to adjust their networks and compliance strategies to meet the extended standards and new requirements.
  • Healthcare Providers: Providers may see changes in contracting processes and payment evaluations as the DHCS implements these standards.

Timeline

  • Effective Dates: Key provisions will be implemented gradually, with major changes occurring on January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027, culminating in the full extension of standards by January 1, 2029.

SB 530 represents a significant step towards improving healthcare access for low-income Californians, ensuring that Medi-Cal beneficiaries receive timely and adequate care.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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