Bill > AB1561

This bill makes changes to the Medi-Cal program's rules regarding complex rehabilitation technology (CRT), which refers to specialized durable medical equipment like complex wheelchairs that are custom-fitted to an individual's specific needs. Specifically, the bill prohibits the State Department of Health Care Services (the department that administers Medi-Cal) from requiring prior authorization, which is an upfront approval process, for repairs to a CRT-powered wheelchair if the repair cost is $1,250 or less. For such repairs, a prescription or documentation of medical necessity from the treating doctor will not be required if the wheelchair has already been approved for the patient's use. Instead, the supplier must keep records of the repair details, which can be reviewed by the department after the service is completed. The bill also clarifies that if a CRT-powered wheelchair isn't already in the Medi-Cal system, the supplier must ensure its continuous medical need is documented before subsequent repairs can follow this streamlined process.

Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1561