AB 1655 Summary

• Increases the personal needs allowance for Medi-Cal beneficiaries in medical institutions, nursing facilities, or receiving services from a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly organization from $35 to $80 per month

• Requires the Department of Health Care Services to annually increase the personal needs allowance based on the percentage increase in the California Consumer Price Index, rather than increasing it only as costs necessitate

• Changes the requirement for increasing the allowance from discretionary ("may") to mandatory ("shall")

• Designates this bill as imposing a state-mandated local program, requiring state reimbursement to counties for costs associated with expanded Medi-Cal eligibility determinations