(a) The department shall specify circumstances under which requests shall be granted for authorization for services provided by a health facility licensed under subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code for periods of up to two years. This subdivision shall be implemented not later than July 1, 1994. The department shall consult with nursing facility providers and appropriate health care professionals in the development of the criteria and process for granting two-year authorizations pursuant to this subdivision.
(b) (1) As of July 1, 1997, the department shall specify circumstances under which requests shall be granted for authorization for services provided by a health facility licensed under subdivisions (e), (g), and (h) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code for periods up to two years. The department shall consult with facility providers cited in this subdivision and appropriate health care professionals in the development of the criteria and process for granting two-year authorizations pursuant to this subdivision.
(2) The department shall not implement paragraph (1) unless and until federal approval of a change in existing utilization control methods as provided in this section is obtained.