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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California AB 1328

Medi-Cal reimbursements: nonemergency ambulance and other transportation.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Vetoed

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including emergency or nonemergency medical or nonmedical transportation services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under this bill, commencing on July 1, 2027, and subject to an appropriation, Medi-Cal fee-for-service reimbursement for nonemergency ambulance transportation services, as defined, would be in an amount equal to 80% of the amount set forth in the federal Medicare ambulance fee schedule for the corresponding level of service, adjusted by the Geographic Practice Cost Index, as specified. The bill would require the department to establish a Medi-Cal managed care directed payment program for nonemergency ambulance transportation services, with the reimbursement rates set in an amount equal to at least the amount set forth under fee-for-service reimbursement. The bill would require the department to maximize federal financial participation in implementing the above-described provisions to the extent allowable. To the extent that federal financial participation is unavailable, the bill would require the department to implement the provisions using state funds, as specified. Under the bill, whenever the medical necessity of nonemergency ambulance transportation services needs to be certified for purposes of Medi-Cal coverage, either a physician or a nonphysician authorized under certain federal regulations would be permitted to complete that certification, as specified. The bill would require the department to revise and update the Medi-Cal provider manual or any guidance, as applicable, to implement this provision. Existing Medi-Cal regulations require that records of medical transportation providers include, among other information, odometer readings at each pickup and delivery location. Under this bill, for purposes of documenting mileage in their records under the Medi-Cal program, medical transportation providers would be authorized to utilize vehicle Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking, digital mapping software or applications, or another reasonable mechanism identified by the department, as specified, in addition to the above-described odometer readings. The bill would require the department to revise and update any corresponding regulations, including the above-described provision.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Aug 24, 2026
House		AB 1328 Michelle Rodriguez Concurrence in Senate AmendmentspassSet your home in California to see
Aug 20, 2026
Senate		Special Consent AB1328 Michelle RodriguezpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 13, 2026
Senate		Do passpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 18, 2025
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Jul 16, 2025
Senate		Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent CalendarpassSet your home in California to see
Jun 3, 2025
House		AB 1328 Michelle Rodriguez Assembly Third ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
May 23, 2025
House		Do pass as amended.passSet your home in California to see
Apr 22, 2025
House		Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see

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