California Department of Social Services - State Hearings Division
Notes from the Training Bureau - September 24, 1996

Item 96-09-01E
CDHS ACWDL 96-41 -- August 5, 1996 (Synopsis): Medi-Cal -- Authorized Representatives

This ACWDL describes a Superior Court decision in Ramirez v. Belshé. Pursuant to this order:

1. Counties must accept any form of written authorization that applicants or beneficiaries sign and date that permits another individual to assist them in the Medi-Cal application process. Such forms are to be recognized for one year from the date signed. The MC 306 (Appointment of Representative) form may be used but is no longer required. The authorized representative may use his/her own authorization form.

2. Any individual designated to act as an authorized representative is permitted to review the applicant’s or beneficiary’s case record with or without the applicant or beneficiary being present. Counties must ensure that material is not removed from the case files or altered. Copies of documents which the applicant or recipient has submitted may be made for the authorized representative if requested. Counties may charge for these copies per normal county policy.

ACWDLs 93-84 and 94-99 are no longer valid. Other CDHS ACWDLs such as 94-42, 94-62, and 94-70, that also discuss authorized representatives, are not impacted by Ramirez.