“AB 1445 recognizes the need for patients to on occasion make two visits in one day,” said Herrmann Spetzler, Executive Director of Open Door Community Health Centers in Humboldt County. “When patients who live in rural communities travel long distances to see their health care providers, it makes sense for them to receive all necessary services at each visit. This may include medical, dental or behavioral services since these services are most often co-located in the same clinic.”
Currently, Medi-Cal does not reimburse for a patient to see a primary care provider and a behavioral health specialist on the same day. Only one visit is reimbursed in this situation.
Federal law permits reimbursement for same-day medical and behavioral health visits and provides federal matching funds for states that choose to allow same-day visits. Currently, California doesn’t take advantage of these federal funds.
AB 1445 would allow federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to be reimbursed by Medi-Cal for a maximum of two health care visits, a medical visit and a behavioral visit, that occur on the same day at a single location.
“Withholding these critical same day services results in increased medical visits, hospitalizations, and emergency room utilization,” Chesbro said. “As trusted medical providers in these communities, health centers play a unique role in treating individuals who otherwise face barriers to accessing health services anywhere else.”
Chesbro said Medi-Cal’s reimbursement policy has created a barrier to providing two visits on the same day, despite it being cost effective because of federal matching funds. “It’s also the best way to ensure patients receive the care they need in a timely manner. This bill will remedy this shortcoming in the law.”
AB 1445 now goes to the Senate for approval.
More information on AB 1445 can be found at the California Legislative Council’s bill information Web site, www.leginfo.ca.gov .
