SB 508 Summary

• Codifies income eligibility thresholds for Medi-Cal using modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) methodology, effective January 1, 2014, including 208% of federal poverty level for pregnant women and infants, 142% for children ages 1-5, and 133% for children ages 6-18.

• Extends Medi-Cal benefits to individuals until age 26 if they were in foster care on their 18th birthday, and creates new eligibility pathways for independent foster care adolescents, individuals under 21 in foster care or private institutions, and individuals under 21 with non-Title IV-E adoption agreements, with all income disregarded for these groups.

• Eliminates the deprivation requirement for parents or caretaker relatives to qualify as "medically needy family persons" under Medi-Cal.

• Increases the income threshold for optional targeted low-income children to 261% of federal poverty level effective January 1, 2014, and imposes premiums on families with incomes between 160-261% of federal poverty level.

• Requires counties to process Medi-Cal applications using performance standards and reporting requirements, with the state providing budget support for expanded eligibility determinations.