(a) By January 1, 2004, the agency, based on recommendations from the Long-Term Care Council, shall recommend to the Legislature standards for care navigation, including suggestions for connecting consumers from the acute care system, to and through the long-term care system.

(b) In its recommendations to the Legislature, the agency shall address care navigator educational and training requirements, the care navigator location within the long-term care continuum, licensure and oversight requirements, and potential funding impact. In its recommendations, the agency shall discuss the need for waivers, enhancing access to home- and community-based services for private payers, connecting the acute care system with the long-term care system, and obtaining private and public funding. The agency shall also discuss means for the cooperative participation of insurance companies, physicians, hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.

(c) In crafting its recommendations to the agency, the Long-Term Care Council shall seek input from interested stakeholders, including, but not limited to, those stakeholders described in subdivision (d) of Section 9254.

(d) Care navigation must be consistent with the goal of developing a program that is based on the existing state and local systems, to ensure that consumers are connected to the necessary care and services.

(e) State funds shall not be appropriated for the purpose of implementing this section. The agency is not required to undertake any new task specified in this section unless it receives federal or private funds for that purpose.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 541, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2003.)