California Code of Regulations
Title 9 - Rehabilitative and Developmental Services
Division 1 - Department of Mental Health
Chapter 11 - Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services
Subchapter 5 - Problem Resolution Processes
Article 1 - Beneficiary Problem Resolution Processes
Section 1850.206 - The Grievance Process

(a) Allow beneficiaries to present their grievance orally or in writing.

(b) Provide for a decision on the grievance and notify the affected parties within 60 calendar days of receipt of the grievance. This timeframe may be extended by up to 14 calendar days if the beneficiary requests an extension or if the MHP determines that there is a need for additional information and that the delay is in the beneficiary's interest. If the MHP extends the timeframes, the MHP shall, for any extension not requested by the beneficiary, notify the beneficiary of the extension and the reasons for the extension in writing. The written notice of the extension is not a Notice of Action as defined in Section 1810.230.5.

(c) Provide for notification of the beneficiary or the appropriate representative in writing of the grievance decision and documentation of the notification or efforts to notify the beneficiary, if he or she could not be contacted.