(a) (1) If the county has evidence clearly demonstrating that a beneficiary is not eligible for benefits under this chapter pursuant to Section 14005.30, but is eligible for benefits under this chapter pursuant to other provisions of law, the county shall transfer the individual to the corresponding Medi-Cal program in conformity with and subject to the requirements of Section 14005.37. Eligibility under Section 14005.30 shall continue until the transfer is complete.

(2) The department, in consultation with the counties and representatives of consumers, managed care plans, and Medi-Cal providers, shall prepare a simple, clear, consumer-friendly notice to be used by the counties to inform beneficiaries that their Medi-Cal benefits have been transferred pursuant to paragraph (1) and to inform them about the program to which they have been transferred. To the extent feasible, the notice shall be issued with the notice of discontinuance from cash aid, and shall include all of the following:

(A) A statement that Medi-Cal benefits will continue under another program, even though aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) has been terminated.

(B) The name of the program under which benefits will continue and an explanation of that program.

(C) A statement that continued receipt of Medi-Cal benefits will not be counted against any time limits in existence for receipt of cash aid under the CalWORKs program.

(D) A statement that the Medi-Cal beneficiary does not need to fill out monthly status reports in order to remain eligible for Medi-Cal, but may be required to submit annual reaffirmation forms. In addition, if the person or persons to whom the notice is directed has been found eligible for transitional Medi-Cal as described in Section 14005.8 or 14005.85, the statement shall explain the reporting requirements and duration of benefits under those programs and shall further explain that, at the end of the duration of these benefits, a redetermination, as provided in Section 14005.37, shall be conducted to determine whether benefits are available under any other law.

(E) A statement describing the beneficiary’s responsibility to report to the county, within 10 days, significant changes that may affect eligibility or share of cost.

(F) A telephone number to call for more information.

(G) A statement that the beneficiary’s eligibility worker will not change, or, if the case has been reassigned, the new worker’s name, address, and telephone number, and the hours during which the county’s Medi-Cal eligibility workers can be contacted.

(c) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) is available.

(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, shall implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted. Thereafter, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Beginning six months after the effective date of this section, and notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis until regulations have been adopted.

(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014.

(Repealed (in Sec. 8) and added by Stats. 2013, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 4, Sec. 9. (SB 1 1x) Effective September 30, 2013. Section operative January 1, 2014, by its own provisions.)