CA SB1401

Requires the Department of Health Care Services to establish at least three regional pilot projects by January 1, 2017 in San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, and Los Angeles County counties to increase access to in-home private duty nursing care for Medi-Cal-eligible children.

Increases reimbursement rates for participating licensed home health agencies by 20 percent above the Medi-Cal rate schedule as of July 1, 2015, for a minimum of three years.

Targets children receiving Medi-Cal benefits who are eligible for in-home shift nursing care and participate in the In-Home Operations Waiver (IHO), California Children's Services Program (CCS), or Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT).

Requires the department to submit necessary applications to federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for state plan amendments or waivers to implement the pilot projects with federal financial participation.

Mandates a report by April 1, 2020 to legislative committees evaluating pilot project effectiveness, including metrics on hospital discharge rates, nursing hours filled compared to approved hours, and availability of licensed home health agencies accepting pediatric patients; provisions become inoperative July 1, 2020 and are repealed January 1, 2021.