(a) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking regulatory action, shall implement, interpret, or make specific this article, Article 2.97 (commencing with Section 14093), Article 2.98 (commencing with Section 14094), and any applicable federal waivers and state plan amendments by means of all-county letters, plan letters, CCS numbered letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions until the time regulations are adopted. By January 1, 2023, the department shall adopt regulations in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Commencing July 1, 2018, the department shall provide a status report to the Legislature on a semiannual basis, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, until regulations have been adopted.
(b) The director may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts on a bid, nonbid, or negotiated basis and may amend existing managed care contracts to provide or arrange for services provided under this article. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the provisions of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and shall be exempt from the review and approval of any division of the Department of General Services.