{"code":"WIC","codeName":"Welfare and Institutions Code","section":"14186.3","citation":"Welf. & Inst. Code, § 14186.3","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 9. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES [10000. - 18999.98.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/welfare-and-institutions-code/division-9"},{"name":"PART 3. AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE [11000. - 15771.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/welfare-and-institutions-code/division-9/part-3"},{"name":"CHAPTER 7. Basic Health Care [14000. - 14199.97.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/welfare-and-institutions-code/division-9/part-3/chapter-7"},{"name":"ARTICLE 5.7. Medi-Cal Field Medicine [14186. - 14186.3.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/welfare-and-institutions-code/division-9/part-3/chapter-7/article-5.7"}],"history":"Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 374, Sec. 3.   (AB 543)   Effective January 1, 2026.","effective":"2026-01-01","html":"<p>(a) A Medi-Cal managed care plan may elect to offer Medi-Cal covered services through an in-network, contracted field medicine provider pursuant to this article.</p><p>(b) A Medi-Cal managed care plan that elects to offer Medi-Cal covered services through an in-network, contracted field medicine provider shall allow a Medi-Cal member who is experiencing homelessness to receive those services directly from an in-network, contracted field medicine provider, regardless of the member’s in-network assignment, such as primary care provider (PCP) or independent practice association (IPA) assignment.</p><p>(c) (1) A Medi-Cal managed care plan that elects to offer Medi-Cal covered services through an in-network, contracted field medicine provider shall allow an in-network, contracted field medicine provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program to directly refer a member who is experiencing homelessness for covered services, including specialist, diagnostic services, medications, durable medical equipment, transportation, or other medically necessary covered services, within the appropriate network of the Medi-Cal managed care plan or in-network IPA.</p><p>(2) The Medi-Cal managed care plan or IPA shall create referral and authorization mechanisms in order to facilitate the referrals described in paragraph (1).</p><p>(d) Medi-Cal managed care plans contracting with field medicine providers pursuant to this section shall have appropriate mechanisms, procedures, or protocols to ensure timely communication between the in-network, contracted field medicine provider, the Medi-Cal member’s plan or IPA, and the member’s assigned primary care provider for purposes of care coordination and to prevent the duplication of services.</p><p>(e) (1) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall provide a method for a Medi-Cal member to inform the Medi-Cal managed care plan online, in person, or via telephone that the member is experiencing homelessness.</p><p>(2) The department shall inform a Medi-Cal managed care plan if a Medi-Cal member has indicated that they are experiencing homelessness based on information furnished on the Medi-Cal application.</p><p>(f) In the case of a Medi-Cal beneficiary who is experiencing homelessness and who receives services within the fee-for-service delivery system, the department shall reimburse a field medicine provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program for providing Medi-Cal covered services.</p>","text":"(a) A Medi-Cal managed care plan may elect to offer Medi-Cal covered services through an in-network, contracted field medicine provider pursuant to this article. (b) A Medi-Cal managed care plan that elects to offer Medi-Cal covered services through an in-network, contracted field medicine provider shall allow a Medi-Cal member who is experiencing homelessness to receive those services directly from an in-network, contracted field medicine provider, regardless of the member’s in-network assignment, such as primary care provider (PCP) or independent practice association (IPA) assignment. (c) (1) A Medi-Cal managed care plan that elects to offer Medi-Cal covered services through an in-network, contracted field medicine provider shall allow an in-network, contracted field medicine provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program to directly refer a member who is experiencing homelessness for covered services, including specialist, diagnostic services, medications, durable medical equipment, transportation, or other medically necessary covered services, within the appropriate network of the Medi-Cal managed care plan or in-network IPA. (2) The Medi-Cal managed care plan or IPA shall create referral and authorization mechanisms in order to facilitate the referrals described in paragraph (1). (d) Medi-Cal managed care plans contracting with field medicine providers pursuant to this section shall have appropriate mechanisms, procedures, or protocols to ensure timely communication between the in-network, contracted field medicine provider, the Medi-Cal member’s plan or IPA, and the member’s assigned primary care provider for purposes of care coordination and to prevent the duplication of services. (e) (1) A Medi-Cal managed care plan shall provide a method for a Medi-Cal member to inform the Medi-Cal managed care plan online, in person, or via telephone that the member is experiencing homelessness. (2) The department shall inform a Medi-Cal managed care plan if a Medi-Cal member has indicated that they are experiencing homelessness based on information furnished on the Medi-Cal application. (f) In the case of a Medi-Cal beneficiary who is experiencing homelessness and who receives services within the fee-for-service delivery system, the department shall reimburse a field medicine provider enrolled in the Medi-Cal program for providing Medi-Cal covered services.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/welfare-and-institutions-code/medi-cal-field-medicine-14186-3","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}