CA AB2394

Adds nonmedical transportation as a covered Medi-Cal benefit effective July 1, 2017, subject to utilization controls and time/distance standards for beneficiaries obtaining covered services.

Defines nonmedical transportation to include round-trip transportation by passenger car, taxicab, public conveyance, mileage reimbursement, bus passes, taxi vouchers, or train tickets, but excludes ambulances, litter vans, and wheelchair vans.

Requires beneficiaries to attest that other available resources have been reasonably exhausted; managed care plans must provide the benefit to enrolled beneficiaries, while the state provides it to fee-for-service beneficiaries when not available elsewhere.

Requires the department to adopt regulations by July 1, 2018, and provide semiannual status reports to the Legislature starting January 1, 2018, until regulations are adopted.

Implementation contingent on federal financial participation being available and not jeopardized, and on obtaining necessary federal approvals; clarifies this affirms existing federal requirements rather than adding a new benefit.