(

a) To the extent permitted under federal law, the department shall require a Medi-Cal managed care plan that is not licensed by the Department of Managed Health Care to comply with the applicable requirements in

Article 11.9 (commencing with

Section 1399.870) of

Chapter 2.2 of Division of the Health and Safety Code for the purpose of serving applicable Medi-Cal beneficiaries. (

b) For purposes of this section, “Medi-Cal managed care plan” means an individual, organization, or entity that enters into a comprehensive risk contract with the department to provide covered full-scope health care services to enrolled Medi-Cal beneficiaries pursuant to this

chapter or

Chapter 8 (commencing with

Section 14200). (c)

(1) For purposes of implementing the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule, and the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality Final Rule, which were published in Volume 89, Number of the Federal Register on May 10, 2024, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision shall be exempt from

Chapter 6 (commencing with

Section 14825) of

Part 5.5 of Division of Title of the Government Code,

Article 4 (commencing with

Section 19130) of

Chapter of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code,

Part 2 (commencing with

Section 10100) of Division of the Public Contract Code, the Statewide Information Management Manual, the State Administrative Manual, and the State Contracting Manuals, and shall be exempt from the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.

(3) This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2029. (

d) 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, in whole or in part, by means of all-county letters, plan letters, provider bulletins, information notices, or other similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action.