AB 162

This bill allows nonprofit agencies and their volunteer health care providers

that provide services to persons who are recipients of Medical Assistance to

participate in the Volunteer Health Care Provider program if the Medical Assistance

recipients served are primarily homeless individuals. Except for health care

providers credentialed in another state who have separate requirements and

liability exemptions under current law, volunteer health care providers providing

services under the program are currently agents of the state for certain purposes,

including the following: 1) representation by the attorney general in a civil action or

other matter brought before a court or administrative agency; 2) mandatory filing of

a notice of claim before bringing a civil claim against the agent; and 3) payment by

the state of a judgment of damages and costs against the agent when found to be

acting within the scope of employment. Currently, certain individuals may serve as

volunteer health care providers by providing services through a nonprofit agency or

for a school board or school governing body while receiving no income for the services.

To participate in the Volunteer Health Care Provider program, a health care

professional must submit a joint application with a nonprofit agency, school board,

or school governing body to the Department of Health Services for approval. A

volunteer health care provider providing services through a nonprofit agency must

provide services without charge except that certain dental services may be provided

to Medical Assistance recipients under the program.