AB 220: Medi-Cal: subacute care services.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law requires the department to establish a subacute care program in health facilities, as specified, to be available to patients in health facilities who meet subacute care criteria. Existing law requires that medical necessity for pediatric subacute care be substantiated by specified criteria. Existing regulations require a treatment authorization request for each admission to a subacute unit.

If a provider substantiates that a patient meets any of the specified criteria for pediatric subacute care, this bill would prohibit a Medi-Cal managed care plan from imposing, or requiring the patient to meet, any additional criteria. If a standard form is developed by the department for purposes of authorization and reauthorization of pediatric or adult subacute care services, the bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to deem as sufficient and accept from a provider that standard form and would prohibit a plan from creating, or requiring a provider to submit, a separate form created by the plan or any other entity. The bill would prohibit a Medi-Cal managed care plan from requiring a subsequent treatment authorization request upon a patient’s return from a bed hold for acute hospitalization. The bill would authorize the department to impose sanctions on Medi-Cal managed care plans for violations of these provisions, as specified.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 27, 2026Vetoed by Governor.
2. September 9, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1 p.m.
3. August 30, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6911.).
4. August 30, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
5. August 30, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).
6. August 26, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 25, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
8. August 25, 2026Ordered to third reading.
9. August 25, 2026(Ayes 29. Noes 7.)
10. August 25, 2026Action rescinded whereby the bill was read third time, passed, and to Assembly.
11. September 4, 2025In Senate. Held at Desk.
12. September 4, 2025Ordered to the Senate.