(

a) The department shall implement the federal requirements described in

Section 1396u-5 of Title of the United States Code. (

b) In each of the several counties of the state, the eligibility and enrollment functions required under

Section 1396u-5(a)(2) and (3) of Title of the United States Code, which may include, but are not limited to, determining eligibility and offering enrollment for premium and cost sharing subsidies made available under and in accordance with

Section 1395w-114 of Title of the United States Code, shall be a county function and responsibility, subject to the direction, authority, and regulations of the department. The department shall request input from the counties as to the potential cost of implementing these provisions, and shall consider that input in developing the budget. (

c) Notwithstanding

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this

section by means of all county letters, provider bulletins, or similar instructions, with input from the counties. Thereafter, the department may adopt regulations in accordance with

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of the Government Code. (

d) The department shall seek approval of any amendments to the state plan, necessary to implement this section, for purposes of federal financial participation under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.

Sec. 1396 et seq.). Notwithstanding any other law and only when all necessary federal approvals have been obtained, this section, with the exception of the Phased-Down State Contribution, as described in subparagraphs (

A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (

c) of

Section 1396u-5 of Title of the United States Code, shall be implemented only to the extent federal financial participation is available.