Welf. & Inst. Code, § 14011.8

(a) Benefits provided to an individual pursuant to a preliminary determination as described in Section 1396r-1, 1396r-1a, or 1396r-1b of Title 42 of the United States Code shall end, without the necessity for any further review or determination by the department, on or before the last day of the month following the month in which the preliminary determination was made, unless an application for medical assistance under the state plan is filed on or before that date.

(b) If an application for medical assistance is filed on or before the last day of the month following the month in which the preliminary determination was made, preliminary benefits shall continue until the regular eligibility determination based on the application has been completed. The application shall be treated in all respects as an initial application for benefits and the following shall apply:

(1) In the case of an applicant who is found eligible for medical assistance, benefits shall be granted in an amount and under those conditions, including imposition of a spend down of excess income, as have been found applicable pursuant to the regular eligibility determination.

(2) In the case of all other applicants, provision of preliminary benefits shall end on the day that the regular eligibility determination is made.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, medical assistance pursuant to a preliminary determination as described in Section 1396r-1, 1396r-1a, or 1396r-1b of Title 42 of the United States Code shall be provided only if and to the extent federal financial participation is available.