(a) (1) In furtherance of the waiver or demonstration project developed pursuant to Section 14180, the department may require seniors and persons with disabilities who do not have other health coverage to be assigned as mandatory enrollees into new or existing managed care health plans. To the extent that enrollment is required by the department, an enrolleeâs access to fee-for-service Medi-Cal shall not be terminated until the enrollee has been assigned to a managed care health plan. (2) For purposes of this section: (A) âOther health coverageâ means health coverage providing the same full or partial benefits as the Medi-Cal program, health coverage under another state or federal medical care program, or health coverage under contractual or legal entitlement, including, but not limited to, a private group or indemnification insurance program. (B) âManaged care health planâ means an individual, organization, or entity that enters into a contract with the department pursuant to Article 2.7 (commencing with Section 14087.3), Article 2.81 (commencing with Section 14087.96), Article 2.91 (commencing with Section 14089), or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200). (b) In exercising its authority pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall do all of the following: (1) Assess and ensure the readiness of the managed care health plans to address the unique needs of seniors or persons with disabilities pursuant to the applicable readiness evaluation criteria and requirements set forth in paragraphs (1) to (8), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 14087.48. (2) Ensure the managed care health plans provide access to providers that comply with applicable state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, physical accessibility and the provision of health plan information in alternative formats. (3) Develop and implement an outreach and education program for seniors and persons with disabilities, not currently enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care, to inform them of their enrollment options and rights under the demonstration project. Contingent upon available private or public dollars other than moneys from the General Fund, the department or its designated agent for enrollment and outreach may partner or contract with community-based, nonprofit consumer or health insurance assistance organizations with expertise and experience in assisting seniors and persons with disabilities in understanding their health care coverage options. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this paragraph shall be exempt from Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and any implementing regulations or policy directives. (4) At least three months prior to enrollment, inform beneficiaries who are seniors or persons with disabilities, through a notice written at no more than a sixth grade reading level, about the forthcoming changes to their delivery of care, including, at a minimum, how their system of care will change, when the changes will occur, and who they can contact for assistance with choosing a delivery system or with problems they encounter. In developing this notice, the department shall consult with consumer representatives and other stakeholders. (5) Implement an appropriate cultural awareness and sensitivity training program regarding serving seniors and persons with disabilities for managed care health plans and plan providers and staff in the Medi-Cal Managed Care Division of the department. (6) Establish a process for assigning enrollees into an organized delivery system for beneficiaries who do not make an affirmative selection of a managed care health plan. The department shall develop this process in consultation with stakeholders and in a manner consistent with the waiver or demonstration project developed pursuant to Section 14180. The department shall base plan assignment on an enrolleeâs existing or recent utilization of providers, to the extent possible. If
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