Article 2. California Health Services Corps of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 106. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 2.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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