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AB-517 • 2026

Medi-Cal: complex rehabilitation technology: wheelchairs.

Medi-Cal: complex rehabilitation technology: wheelchairs.

Healthcare Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Krell
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The summary does not specify if there are other recording requirements beyond those mentioned.

Medi-Cal Wheelchair Repair Rules

This law changes Medi-Cal rules to remove prior authorization requirements and simplify documentation for repairing CRT-powered wheelchairs under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits the department from requiring prior authorization for repairs of a CRT-powered wheelchair if the cost is $1,250 or less.
  • Allows repair requests without individual prescriptions or medical necessity documentation if the wheelchair has already been approved.
  • Requires suppliers to document and maintain records about what was repaired, why it was repaired, and labor details.
  • Sets up rules for post-repair audits by Medi-Cal.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who use CRT-powered wheelchairs through Medi-Cal.
  • Health care providers and suppliers who fix these wheelchairs.

Terms To Know

CRT
Complex Rehabilitation Technology, which includes advanced medical equipment like specialized wheelchairs.
Prior authorization
A process where a doctor or health plan must approve a treatment before it can be done.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill needs federal approval to take effect.
  • It only applies to CRT-powered wheelchairs and not all types of medical equipment.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-30 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  6. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  7. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  8. 2025-02-11 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.

  9. 2025-02-10 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 517, as introduced, Krell.
Medi-Cal: complex rehabilitation technology: wheelchairs.
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. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.
Existing law, subject to any necessary federal approvals, sets forth various Medi-Cal provisions relating to complex rehabilitation technology (CRT), which is a form of durable medical equipment, including, but not limited to, complex rehabilitation manual and power wheelchairs. Existing law requires a CRT provider to comply with certain standards, including with regard to CRT repairs. Existing law authorizes the department to adopt any utilization controls for CRT, as appropriate.
This bill would prohibit the department from requiring prior authorization for the repair of a CRT-powered wheelchair if the cost of the repair does
not exceed $1,250. Under the bill, a treatment authorization request for repair or replacement of a CRT-powered wheelchair would not require an individual prescription or documentation of medical necessity from the treating practitioner if the CRT-powered wheelchair has already been approved for use by the patient.
For repair of a CRT-powered wheelchair, the bill would require the supplier to document and maintain records of the items being repaired, the reason for the repair, and the labor details, as specified, with the information being subject to a postpayment audit by the department. The bill would set forth other recording requirements for the supplier.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF