CA AB1629

Requires the California Department of Health Care Services to grant provisional provider status to physicians and surgeons practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA), Medically Underserved Areas (MUA), or serving Medically Underserved Populations (MUP) for up to 18 months.

Establishes eligibility criteria for provisional provider status in underserved areas: current valid medical license, no adverse entries in federal Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank or National Practitioner Data Bank, and practice location in qualifying underserved area.

Requires the department to notify applicants within 30 days whether they meet underserved area criteria, or automatically grant provisional provider status on the 31st day pending final application determination.

Prohibits providers granted provisional status in underserved areas from being required to reimburse the department for Medi-Cal funds received during the provisional period if their application is denied or status is terminated, unless the provider is under investigation for or convicted of fraud.

Applies changes to Section 14043.26 of the Welfare and Institutions Code relating to Medi-Cal provider enrollment requirements and timelines.