CA SB311

Requires the California Department of Health Care Services to enter into a Medicare Part A buy-in agreement with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for qualified Medicare beneficiaries by submitting a state plan amendment.

Makes the Medicare Part A buy-in agreement effective on January 1, 2025, or when the department notifies the Department of Finance that systems are programmed for implementation, whichever is later.

Authorizes the department to implement the provisions through all-county letters and similar instructions before regulations are formally adopted.

Implementation is contingent on obtaining necessary federal approvals and ensuring federal financial participation is available and not jeopardized.

Subjects any state-mandated local program costs to reimbursement through the state's established procedures under Government Code Section 17500 and beyond.