(a)
There is in the Office of the Attorney General the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud, which shall implement Sections 1903(a)(6), 1903(b)(3), and 1903(g) of the federal Social Security Act, as amended by the federal Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments ( Public Law 95-124), and is authorized to conduct a statewide program for investigating and prosecuting, and referring for prosecution, violations of all applicable laws pertaining to fraud in the administration of the Medi-Cal program, the provision of medical assistance or
medical supplies, or the activities of providers of medical assistance or medical suppliers under the Medi-Cal plan. The investigation of fraud by beneficiaries of the Medi-Cal program is the responsibility of the Audits and Investigations Branch of the State Department of Health Services.
(b)
The bureau shall also review complaints alleging abuse or neglect of patients in health care facilities receiving payments under the Medi-Cal plan and may review complaints of the misappropriation of patient’s private funds in such facilities and complaints of discriminatory treatment of Medi-Cal beneficiaries by such facilities.
(1)
If the initial review indicates substantial potential for criminal prosecution, the bureau shall investigate the complaint or refer it to an appropriate criminal investigative or prosecutive authority.
(2)
If the initial review does not indicate a substantial potential for criminal prosecution, the bureau shall inform the referring agency of its determination and may, if appropriate, refer the complaint to the State Department of Health Services.
(c)
Local law enforcement and prosecution agencies shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the bureau to investigate and prosecute violations of law referred to in this section.
(d)
If the bureau, in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under subdivisions (a) and (b), discovers that overpayments have been made to a health care facility or other provider of medical assistance or medical supplies under the Medi-Cal plan, the bureau shall either attempt to collect the overpayment or refer the matter to the State Department of Health Services for collection.
(e)
Where a prosecuting authority other than the bureau elects to prosecute a case reported to the bureau, the bureau shall, upon request of that prosecuting authority, ensure that those responsible for the prosecutive decision and the preparation of the case for trial have the opportunity to participate in the investigation from its inception and will provide all necessary assistance to the prosecuting authority throughout all resulting prosecutions.
(f)
The bureau shall make available to federal investigators or prosecutors all information in its possession concerning fraud in the provision or administration of medical assistance under the Medi-Cal plan and shall cooperate with such officials in coordinating any federal and state investigations or prosecutions involving the same suspects or allegations.
(g)
The bureau shall safeguard the privacy rights of all
individuals and shall provide safeguards to prevent the misuse of information under its control, and all agencies which are required to report complaints alleging abuse or neglect of patients shall maintain the confidentiality of those reports until such time as the report becomes a matter of public record.
(h)
The bureau shall offer training programs to local law enforcement and prosecutorial personnel in investigating and prosecuting crimes against elders and dependent adults, and to the State Department of Health Services, the State Department of Social Services, the county adult protective services agencies and to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman in evaluating and documenting criminal abuse against elders and dependent adults.
(i)
The state Long-Term Care Ombudsman, the Licensing and Certification Division in the Department of Health Services, and the Statistical Services Bureau
in the State Department of Social Services shall report to the bureau all instances of abuse and neglect of elders and dependent adults, as defined in Section 15610 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which come to their attention.
(j)
The bureau shall collect information on a statewide basis regarding cases of abuse and neglect of patients in health facilities receiving payments from the Medi-Cal program for the primary purpose of analyzing the information it collects and disseminating its conclusions to local law enforcement agencies and to regulatory and licensing authorities.
(k)
For purposes of this section, “bureau” means the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud in the Office of the Attorney General.