(a) Any person who buys or sells a Medi-Cal card, Medi-Cal label, or Medi-Cal beneficiary identification number is guilty of a public offense punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or in the state prison, or by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment.
(b) Any person who barters for the purpose of resale or commercial exchange a Medi-Cal card, Medi-Cal label, or Medi-Cal beneficiary identification number is guilty of a public offense punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or in the state prison, or by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment.
(c) This section shall not apply to any peace officer or any other person working under the peace officer’s immediate direction, supervision, or instruction while investigating Medi-Cal fraud or other related crimes in the performance of his or her official duties.