SECTIONS 124650-124685 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 124650-124685

124650. The director shall establish in the department, a
California Health Services Corps. The purpose of the corps is to make
available health personnel to rural areas that are presently
receiving inadequate health services. The corps shall consist of
physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, dentists, vision care
providers, and other health professionals, such as nurse
practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, dental hygienists,
dental assistants, health educators, nutritionists, dietitians,
health and nutrition aides, and other personnel as the director finds
necessary to meet the purposes of the program.

124655. Members of the California Health Services Corps may be
assigned to the following categories of health services programs:
(a) Any nonprofit primary care clinic or licensed health facility.
(b) Any health provider or group provider.
(c) Any county health program or facility.
(d) Any state health program or facility.
(e) Any federal health program.
Assignments may be made to a health provider or facility, to a
health services development project established pursuant to Article 3
(commencing with Section 124700), or directly to an area in
California where health services are inadequate.

124660. Assignments shall be made in accordance with the following:
(a) The authority of any person to supervise any member of the
corps shall be subject to approval by the director.
(b) No member of the corps shall be placed in an assignment
without the prior agreement of the person or governing board in
charge of the health delivery program to which the corps member is
assigned.
(c) Corps members directly assigned to rural areas or to
state-operated projects shall be contract employees of the California
Health Services Corps. Corps members assigned to projects with a
nonstate provider or facility may be employees of the provider or
facility if specified by contract between the state and the provider
or facility. The state shall provide malpractice insurance coverage
for all corps personnel.
(d) Local consumers shall be consulted in the placement of
California Health Services Corps members.
(e) In making the assignment of a corps member, the director shall
seek to match the characteristics and preferences of the member with
those of the area, population group, or medical facility where the
member may be assigned to the maximum extent possible in order to
increase the probability of the member remaining to serve the area,
population group, or medical facility upon completion of his or her
assignment period.

124665. The director shall, by regulation, specify the salary
schedules, other terms and conditions of employment, and
reimbursement policies with respect to the employment of corps
members that shall be followed by institutions, providers, or
programs where a member of the California Health Services Corps is
assigned.

124670. Funds expended pursuant to this article may be used for any
of the following purposes:
(a) Expenses of the department in administering the program.
(b) Salaries and employee benefits for members of the California
Health Services Corps.
(c) Supplies, equipment, minor capital outlay, and minor
renovations.

124675. Assignments shall be made by the department without regard
to ability of residents in areas to pay.
Any provider or facility where a California Health Services Corps
member is assigned, and any corps member, shall be required to seek
third party reimbursements, including Medi-Cal and private insurance,
for any person served by the corps member. Any such corps member,
provider, or facility may be required to provide reports to the
department concerning reimbursements and may be required to
contribute all or part of the proceeds of reimbursements to the
department for deposit in the State Treasury in accordance with
regulations or contracts adopted by the department after regulations
have been approved by the Director of Finance.

124680. No corps member may refuse needed service to any person
because of inability to pay for such service, or refuse service to
persons on account of their entitlement to medical benefits under
Title XVIII or XIX of the United States Social Security Act.

124685. The director may, upon request, provide technical
assistance to groups preparing applications for assignment of corps
personnel.