It is the purpose of this article to ensure that the Medi-Cal program shall be operated in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible with the optimum number of inpatient hospital service providers. In order to carry out this purpose it is the specific intent of the Legislature that the special negotiator have maximum discretion and flexibility in order to select among various methods of arranging for the provision of health services while achieving significant cost savings. This article shall be the exclusive means of providing inpatient hospital services to recipients qualifying for such care under this chapter.
All previously eligible hospitals may continue to participate in the Medi-Cal program and receive reimbursement for the provision of inpatient hospital services under this article until the special negotiator has negotiated contracts with a sufficient number of hospitals to assure bed capacity to meet the needs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries in an area and notifies the hospital that it is no longer eligible to serve Medi-Cal inpatients except as provided for in Section 14087. A determination by the negotiator under this section shall not require a hearing under Section 14123 or any other section.