California Health and Safety Code § 127406

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) “Presumptively determine” means a determination made by a hospital that a patient who did not submit an application or documentation of income, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 127405, is eligible to participate in the charity care or discounted payment programs maintained by the hospital pursuant to this article. (2) “Screen” or “screening” means the process a hospital uses to identify if a patient may be eligible for charity care or discounted payment. This process shall serve as an alternative to requiring an application for eligibility determination. (b) (1) Commencing July 1, 2027, a hospital shall screen patients to determine if they meet any of the following criteria and, if so, presumptively determine that a patient is eligible for participation under the hospital’s charity care policy or discount payment policy, subject to verification pursuant to paragraph (2): (A) The patient or any member of the patient’s family, as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 127400, is enrolled in CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, and any other programs as determined by the department and any additional programs determined by each hospital that would reasonably reflect the approximate patient household income. Enrollment in any program listed in this subparagraph shall be considered sufficient evidence that a patient is financially qualified under Section 127400. (B) The patient or a member of the patient’s family, as defined in Section 127400, was determined to be eligible for participation under the hospital’s charity care policy or discount payment policy for services billed or provided during the previous six-month period. However, the hospital may ask the patient if their income or insurance has changed during the last six months. (i) If the patient attests that their income and insurance has not changed since last being approved for charity care or discounted payment, the hospital shall provide the patient charity care or discounted payment based on their previous determination of eligibility. (ii) If the patient attests that their income and insurance has changed since last being approved for charity care or discounted payment, the hospital may reevaluate their eligibility. (iii) A patient that is approved for charity care or discounted payment based on a determination of eligibility within the prior six months shall not be considered a new determination of eligibility. (C) The patient is experiencing homelessness. (2) If a hospital is unable to automatically or independently verify the circumstances described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), the hospital may require verification from the patient. The patient shall make every reasonable effort to provide the requested verification and the hospital shall assist the patient in obtaining verification when feasible. A hospital shall accept a self-attestation of eligibility for the circumstances described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1). (3) A hospital shall not require a patient to apply for Medicare, Medi-Cal, or other coverage before the patient is screened for, or provided with, discounted payment. However, a hospital may require the patient to participate in a screening for Medi-Cal eligibility when screening for discounted payment pursuant to this subdivision. (c) (1) Commencing July 1, 2027, a hospital shall screen a patient for eligibility for participation under the hospital’s charity care policy and discount payment policy if the patient is any of the following: (A) Uninsured. (B) Enrolled in Medi-Cal with cost sharing or eligible for Medi-Cal under the Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) prog

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