Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including mental health services that are provided through county mental health plans. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law provides that Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services, which includes screening services and other necessary services to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions discovered by the screening services, whether or not the services are covered under the state plan, is covered under the Medi-Cal program for any individual under 21 years of age pursuant to federal law.

This bill would authorize a county mental health plan to contract with a local educational agency (LEA) to provide EPSDT services, including mental health assessments, and mental health, social work, and counseling services, to Medi-Cal eligible pupils. The bill would require the department to permit an LEA to make claims for federal financial participation directly to the department for EPSDT services, to examine methodologies for increasing LEA participation in the Medi-Cal program, and to seek federal approval to implement these provisions.