14005.186.
(a) On or before July 1, 2023, the department shall establish a health expense account program for pregnant Medi-Cal beneficiaries and pregnant subscribers of the Medi-Cal Access Program established pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15810) of Part 3.3.(b) (1) A person described in subdivision (a) shall be eligible for reimbursement for out-of-pocket pregnancy-related costs in an amount not to exceed one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250).
(2) (A) For purposes of this section, “out-of-pocket pregnancy-related costs” includes birth and infant care classes, doula services, midwifery care, lactation support services, prenatal vitamins, lab tests or screening, prenatal acupuncture or acupressure, and transportation expenses essential to medical care.
(B) A person described in subdivision (a) shall not have to seek approval or be denied reimbursement for care for that care to be considered an out-of-pocket pregnancy-related cost.
(3) The Department may authorize reimbursement for additional pregnancy-related expenses as it deems fit.
(c) A person described in subdivision (a) shall not be reimbursed for costs unless the request for reimbursement is submitted within three months after the last day of pregnancy.
(d) In implementing this section, the department shall seek to maximize federal financial participation. To the extent federal financial participation is unavailable, the department shall implement this section only with state funds.
(e) The department shall contract out for purposes of implementing this health expense account program. The department shall follow a competitive bid process.
(f) (1) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, bulletins, or similar written instructions from either department until regulations are adopted. These all-county letters or similar written instructions shall have the same force and effect as regulations.
(2) Regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) by the department no later than January 1, 2026.