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Health and Safety Code - HSC


Published: 2015-07-09

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Health and Safety Code - HSC

DIVISION 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS [1200 - 1796.63]

  ( Division 2 enacted by Stats. 1939, Ch. 60. )

CHAPTER 2.2. Health Care Service Plans [1340 - 1399.864]

  ( Chapter 2.2 added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 941. )
ARTICLE 5. Standards [1367 - 1374.195]
  ( Article 5 added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 941. )

1367.  

A health care service plan and, if applicable, a specialized health care service plan shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Facilities located in this state including, but not limited to, clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities to be utilized by the plan shall be licensed by the State Department of Public Health, where licensure is required by law. Facilities not located in this state shall conform to all licensing and other requirements of the jurisdiction in which they are located.

(b) Personnel employed by or under contract to the plan shall be licensed or certified by their respective board or agency, where licensure or certification is required by law.

(c) Equipment required to be licensed or registered by law shall be so licensed or registered, and the operating personnel for that equipment shall be licensed or certified as required by law.

(d) The plan shall furnish services in a manner providing continuity of care and ready referral of patients to other providers at times as may be appropriate consistent with good professional practice.

(e) (1) All services shall be readily available at reasonable times to each enrollee consistent with good professional practice. To the extent feasible, the plan shall make all services readily accessible to all enrollees consistent with Section 1367.03.

(2) To the extent that telehealth services are appropriately provided through telehealth, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 2290.5 of the Business and Professions Code, these services shall be considered in determining compliance with Section 1300.67.2 of Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations.

(3) The plan shall make all services accessible and appropriate consistent with Section 1367.04.

(f) The plan shall employ and utilize allied health manpower for the furnishing of services to the extent permitted by law and consistent with good medical practice.

(g) The plan shall have the organizational and administrative capacity to provide services to subscribers and enrollees. The plan shall be able to demonstrate to the department that medical decisions are rendered by qualified medical providers, unhindered by fiscal and administrative management.

(h) (1) Contracts with subscribers and enrollees, including group contracts, and contracts with providers, and other persons furnishing services, equipment, or facilities to or in connection with the plan, shall be fair, reasonable, and consistent with the objectives of this chapter. All contracts with providers shall contain provisions requiring a fast, fair, and cost-effective dispute resolution mechanism under which providers may submit disputes to the plan, and requiring the plan to inform its providers upon contracting with the plan, or upon change to these provisions, of the procedures for processing and resolving disputes, including the location and telephone number where information regarding disputes may be submitted.

(2) A health care service plan shall ensure that a dispute resolution mechanism is accessible to noncontracting providers for the purpose of resolving billing and claims disputes.

(3) On and after January 1, 2002, a health care service plan shall annually submit a report to the department regarding its dispute resolution mechanism. The report shall include information on the number of providers who utilized the dispute resolution mechanism and a summary of the disposition of those disputes.

(i) A health care service plan contract shall provide to subscribers and enrollees all of the basic health care services included in subdivision (b) of Section 1345, except that the director may, for good cause, by rule or order exempt a plan contract or any class of plan contracts from that requirement. The director shall by rule define the scope of each basic health care service that health care service plans are required to provide as a minimum for licensure under this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a health care service plan from charging subscribers or enrollees a copayment or a deductible for a basic health care service consistent with Section 1367.006 or 1367.007, provided that the copayments, deductibles, or other cost sharing are reported to the director and set forth to the subscriber or enrollee pursuant to the disclosure provisions of Section 1363. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a health care service plan from setting forth, by contract, limitations on maximum coverage of basic health care services, provided that the limitations are reported to, and held unobjectionable by, the director and set forth to the subscriber or enrollee pursuant to the disclosure provisions of Section 1363.

(j) A health care service plan shall not require registration under the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 801 et seq.) as a condition for participation by an optometrist certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents pursuant to Section 3041.3 of the Business and Professions Code.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the director to establish the rates charged subscribers and enrollees for contractual health care services.

The director’s enforcement of Article 3.1 (commencing with Section 1357) shall not be deemed to establish the rates charged subscribers and enrollees for contractual health care services.

The obligation of the plan to comply with this chapter shall not be waived when the plan delegates any services that it is required to perform to its medical groups, independent practice associations, or other contracting entities.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1367.001.  

(a) To the extent required by federal law, every health care service plan that issues, sells, renews, or offers contracts for health care coverage in this state shall comply with the requirements of Section 2711 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-11) and any rules or regulations issued under that section, in addition to any state laws or regulations that do not prevent the application of those requirements.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to a health care service plan contract or insurance policy issued, sold, renewed, or offered for health care services or coverage provided in the Medi-Cal program (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the Healthy Families Program (Part 6.2 (commencing with Section 12693) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), the Access for Infants and Mothers Program (Part 6.3 (commencing with Section 12695) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (Part 6.5 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), or the Federal Temporary High Risk Insurance Pool (Part 6.6 (commencing with Section 12739.5) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), to the extent consistent with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148).

(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 644, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1367.002.  

To the extent required by federal law, a group or individual health care service plan contract issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after September 23, 2010, shall comply with Section 2713 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-13), as added by Section 1001 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), and any rules or regulations issued under that section.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 296, Sec. 141. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1367.003.  

(a) Every health care service plan that issues, sells, renews, or offers health care service plan contracts for health care coverage in this state, including a grandfathered health plan, but not including specialized health care service plan contracts, shall provide an annual rebate to each enrollee under such coverage, on a pro rata basis, if the ratio of the amount of premium revenue expended by the health care service plan on the costs for reimbursement for clinical services provided to enrollees under such coverage and for activities that improve health care quality to the total amount of premium revenue, excluding federal and state taxes and licensing or regulatory fees and after accounting for payments or receipts for risk adjustment, risk corridors, and reinsurance, is less than the following:

(1) With respect to a health care service plan offering coverage in the large group market, 85 percent.

(2) With respect to a health care service plan offering coverage in the small group market or in the individual market, 80 percent.

(b) Every health care service plan that issues, sells, renews, or offers health care service plan contracts for health care coverage in this state, including a grandfathered health plan, shall comply with the following minimum medical loss ratios:

(1) With respect to a health care service plan offering coverage in the large group market, 85 percent.

(2) With respect to a health care service plan offering coverage in the small group market or in the individual market, 80 percent.

(c) (1) The total amount of an annual rebate required under this section shall be calculated in an amount equal to the product of the following:

(A) The amount by which the percentage described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) exceeds the ratio described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a).

(B) The total amount of premium revenue, excluding federal and state taxes and licensing or regulatory fees and after accounting for payments or receipts for risk adjustment, risk corridors, and reinsurance.

(2) A health care service plan shall provide any rebate owing to an enrollee no later than August 1 of the calendar year following the year for which the ratio described in subdivision (a) was calculated.

(d) (1) The director may adopt regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) that are necessary to implement the medical loss ratio as described under Section 2718 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-18), and any federal rules or regulations issued under that section.

(2) The director may also adopt emergency regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) when it is necessary to implement the applicable provisions of this section and to address specific conflicts between state and federal law that prevent implementation of federal law and guidance pursuant to Section 2718 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-18). The initial adoption of the emergency regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare.

(e) The department shall consult with the Department of Insurance in adopting necessary regulations, and in taking any other action for the purpose of implementing this section.

(f) This section shall be implemented to the extent required by federal law and shall comply with, and not exceed, the scope of Section 2791 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-91) and the requirements of Section 2718 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-18) and any rules or regulations issued under those sections.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to provisions of this chapter pertaining to financial statements, assets, liabilities, and other accounting items to which subdivision (s) of Section 1345 applies.

(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to a health care service plan contract or insurance policy issued, sold, renewed, or offered for health care services or coverage provided in the Medi-Cal program (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the Healthy Families Program (Part 6.2 (commencing with Section 12693) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), the Access for Infants and Mothers Program (Part 6.3 (commencing with Section 12695) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (Part 6.5 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), or the Federal Temporary High Risk Insurance Pool (Part 6.6 (commencing with Section 12739.5) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), to the extent consistent with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148).

(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 644, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1367.004.  

(a) A health care service plan that issues, sells, renews, or offers a specialized health care service plan contract covering dental services shall, no later than September 30, 2015, and each year thereafter, file a report, which shall be known as the MLR annual report, with the department that is organized by market and product type and contains the same information required in the 2013 federal Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Annual Reporting Form (CMS-10418).

(b) The MLR reporting year shall be for the calendar year during which dental coverage is provided by the plan. All terms used in the MLR annual report shall have the same meaning as used in the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-18), Part 158 (commencing with 158.101) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and Section 1367.003.

(c) If the director decides to conduct a financial examination, as described in Section 1382, because the director finds it necessary to verify the health care service plan’s representations in the MLR annual report, the department shall provide the health care service plan with a notification 30 days before the commencement of the financial examination.

(d) The health care service plan shall have 30 days from the date of notification to electronically submit to the department all requested records, books, and papers specified in subdivision (a) of Section 1381. The director may extend the time for a health care service plan to comply with this subdivision upon a finding of good cause.

(e) The department shall make available to the public all of the data provided to the department pursuant to this section.

(f) This section does not apply to a health care service plan contract issued, sold, renewed, or offered for health care services or coverage provided in the Medi-Cal program (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), the Healthy Families Program (Part 6.2 (commencing with Section 12693) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), the Access for Infants and Mothers Program (Part 6.3 (commencing with Section 12695) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (Part 6.5 (commencing with Section 12700) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), or the Federal Temporary High Risk Insurance Pool (Part 6.6 (commencing with Section 12739.5) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code), to the extent consistent with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148).

(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that the data reported pursuant to this section be considered by the Legislature in adopting a medical loss ratio standard for health care service plans that cover dental services that would take effect no later than January 1, 2018.

(h) Until January 1, 2018, the director may issue guidance to health care service plans subject to this section regarding compliance with this section. This guidance shall not be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). Any guidance issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be effective only until the director adopts regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The department shall consult with the Department of Insurance in issuing guidance pursuant to this subdivision.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 567, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.005.  

(a) An individual or small group health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014, shall, at a minimum, include coverage for essential health benefits pursuant to PPACA and as outlined in this section. For purposes of this section, “essential health benefits” means all of the following:

(1) Health benefits within the categories identified in Section 1302(b) of PPACA: ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services, including oral and vision care.

(2) (A) The health benefits covered by the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Small Group HMO 30 plan (federal health product identification number 40513CA035) as this plan was offered during the first quarter of 2012, as follows, regardless of whether the benefits are specifically referenced in the evidence of coverage or plan contract for that plan:

(i) Medically necessary basic health care services, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1345 and in Section 1300.67 of Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations.

(ii) The health benefits mandated to be covered by the plan pursuant to statutes enacted before December 31, 2011, as described in the following sections: Sections 1367.002, 1367.06, and 1367.35 (preventive services for children); Section 1367.25 (prescription drug coverage for contraceptives); Section 1367.45 (AIDS vaccine); Section 1367.46 (HIV testing); Section 1367.51 (diabetes); Section 1367.54 (alpha feto protein testing); Section 1367.6 (breast cancer screening); Section 1367.61 (prosthetics for laryngectomy); Section 1367.62 (maternity hospital stay); Section 1367.63 (reconstructive surgery); Section 1367.635 (mastectomies); Section 1367.64 (prostate cancer); Section 1367.65 (mammography); Section 1367.66 (cervical cancer); Section 1367.665 (cancer screening tests); Section 1367.67 (osteoporosis); Section 1367.68 (surgical procedures for jaw bones); Section 1367.71 (anesthesia for dental); Section 1367.9 (conditions attributable to diethylstilbestrol); Section 1368.2 (hospice care); Section 1370.6 (cancer clinical trials); Section 1371.5 (emergency response ambulance or ambulance transport services); subdivision (b) of Section 1373 (sterilization operations or procedures); Section 1373.4 (inpatient hospital and ambulatory maternity); Section 1374.56 (phenylketonuria); Section 1374.17 (organ transplants for HIV); Section 1374.72 (mental health parity); and Section 1374.73 (autism/behavioral health treatment).

(iii) Any other benefits mandated to be covered by the plan pursuant to statutes enacted before December 31, 2011, as described in those statutes.

(iv) The health benefits covered by the plan that are not otherwise required to be covered under this chapter, to the extent required pursuant to Sections 1367.18, 1367.21, 1367.215, 1367.22, 1367.24, and 1367.25, and Section 1300.67.24 of Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations.

(v) Any other health benefits covered by the plan that are not otherwise required to be covered under this chapter.

(B) Where there are any conflicts or omissions in the plan identified in subparagraph (A) as compared with the requirements for health benefits under this chapter that were enacted prior to December 31, 2011, the requirements of this chapter shall be controlling, except as otherwise specified in this section.

(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B) or any other provision of this section, the home health services benefits covered under the plan identified in subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to not be in conflict with this chapter.

(D) For purposes of this section, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-343) shall apply to a contract subject to this section. Coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services pursuant to this paragraph, along with any scope and duration limits imposed on the benefits, shall be in compliance with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-343), and all rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to Section 2726 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-26).

(3) With respect to habilitative services, in addition to any habilitative services identified in paragraph (2), coverage shall also be provided as required by federal rules, regulations, and guidance issued pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA. Habilitative services shall be covered under the same terms and conditions applied to rehabilitative services under the plan contract.

(4) With respect to pediatric vision care, the same health benefits for pediatric vision care covered under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program vision plan with the largest national enrollment as of the first quarter of 2012. The pediatric vision care benefits covered pursuant to this paragraph shall be in addition to, and shall not replace, any vision services covered under the plan identified in paragraph (2).

(5) With respect to pediatric oral care, the same health benefits for pediatric oral care covered under the dental plan available to subscribers of the Healthy Families Program in 2011–12, including the provision of medically necessary orthodontic care provided pursuant to the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. The pediatric oral care benefits covered pursuant to this paragraph shall be in addition to, and shall not replace, any dental or orthodontic services covered under the plan identified in paragraph (2).

(b) Treatment limitations imposed on health benefits described in this section shall be no greater than the treatment limitations imposed by the corresponding plans identified in subdivision (a), subject to the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a health care service plan to make substitutions for the benefits required to be covered under this section, regardless of whether those substitutions are actuarially equivalent.

(d) To the extent permitted under Section 1302 of PPACA and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that section, and to the extent that substitution would not create an obligation for the state to defray costs for any individual, a plan may substitute its prescription drug formulary for the formulary provided under the plan identified in subdivision (a) as long as the coverage for prescription drugs complies with the sections referenced in clauses (ii) and (iv) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) that apply to prescription drugs.

(e) No health care service plan, or its agent, solicitor, or representative, shall issue, deliver, renew, offer, market, represent, or sell any product, contract, or discount arrangement as compliant with the essential health benefits requirement in federal law, unless it meets all of the requirements of this section.

(f) This section shall apply regardless of whether the plan contract is offered inside or outside the California Health Benefit Exchange created by Section 100500 of the Government Code.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt a plan or a plan contract from meeting other applicable requirements of law.

(h) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a plan contract from covering additional benefits, including, but not limited to, spiritual care services that are tax deductible under Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(i) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) A specialized health care service plan contract.

(2) A Medicare supplement plan.

(3) A plan contract that qualifies as a grandfathered health plan under Section 1251 of PPACA or any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that section.

(j) Nothing in this section shall be implemented in a manner that conflicts with a requirement of PPACA.

(k) This section shall be implemented only to the extent essential health benefits are required pursuant to PPACA.

(l) An essential health benefit is required to be provided under this section only to the extent that federal law does not require the state to defray the costs of the benefit.

(m) Nothing in this section shall obligate the state to incur costs for the coverage of benefits that are not essential health benefits as defined in this section.

(n) A plan is not required to cover, under this section, changes to health benefits that are the result of statutes enacted on or after December 31, 2011.

(o) (1) The department may adopt emergency regulations implementing this section. The department may, on a one-time basis, readopt any emergency regulation authorized by this section that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, an emergency regulation previously adopted under this section.

(2) The initial adoption of emergency regulations implementing this section and the readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this subdivision shall be deemed an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare. The initial emergency regulations and the readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State and each shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days, by which time final regulations may be adopted.

(3) The director shall consult with the Insurance Commissioner to ensure consistency and uniformity in the development of regulations under this subdivision.

(4) This subdivision shall become inoperative on March 1, 2016.

(p) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Habilitative services” means medically necessary health care services and health care devices that assist an individual in partially or fully acquiring or improving skills and functioning and that are necessary to address a health condition, to the maximum extent practical. These services address the skills and abilities needed for functioning in interaction with an individual’s environment. Examples of health care services that are not habilitative services include, but are not limited to, respite care, day care, recreational care, residential treatment, social services, custodial care, or education services of any kind, including, but not limited to, vocational training. Habilitative services shall be covered under the same terms and conditions applied to rehabilitative services under the plan contract.

(2) (A) “Health benefits,” unless otherwise required to be defined pursuant to federal rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA, means health care items or services for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of illness, injury, disease, or a health condition, including a behavioral health condition.

(B) “Health benefits” does not mean any cost-sharing requirements such as copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.

(3) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(4) “Small group health care service plan contract” means a group health care service plan contract issued to a small employer, as defined in Section 1357.500.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 572, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.006.  

(a) This section shall apply to nongrandfathered individual and group health care service plan contracts that provide coverage for essential health benefits, as defined in Section 1367.005, and that are issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015.

(b) (1) For nongrandfathered health care service plan contracts in the individual or small group markets, a health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, shall provide for a limit on annual out-of-pocket expenses for all covered benefits that meet the definition of essential health benefits in Section 1367.005, including out-of-network emergency care consistent with Section 1371.4.

(2) For nongrandfathered health care service plan contracts in the large group market, a health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, shall provide for a limit on annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered benefits, including out-of-network emergency care consistent with Section 1371.4. This limit shall only apply to essential health benefits, as defined in Section 1367.005, that are covered under the plan to the extent that this provision does not conflict with federal law or guidance on out-of-pocket maximums for nongrandfathered health care service plan contracts in the large group market.

(c) (1) The limit described in subdivision (b) shall not exceed the limit described in Section 1302(c) of PPACA, and any subsequent rules, regulations, or guidance issued under that section.

(2) The limit described in subdivision (b) shall result in a total maximum out-of-pocket limit for all covered essential health benefits equal to the dollar amounts in effect under Section 223(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with the dollar amounts adjusted as specified in Section 1302(c)(1)(B) of PPACA.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the reduction in cost sharing for eligible enrollees described in Section 1402 of PPACA, and any subsequent rules, regulations, or guidance issued under that section.

(e) If an essential health benefit is offered or provided by a specialized health care service plan, the total annual out-of-pocket maximum for all covered essential benefits shall not exceed the limit in subdivision (b). This section shall not apply to a specialized health care service plan that does not offer an essential health benefit as defined in Section 1367.005.

(f) The maximum out-of-pocket limit shall apply to any copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and any other form of cost sharing for all covered benefits that meet the definition of essential health benefits in Section 1367.005.

(g) For nongrandfathered health plan contracts in the group market, “plan year” has the meaning set forth in Section 144.103 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. For nongrandfathered health plan contracts sold in the individual market, “plan year” means the calendar year.

(h) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 572, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.0065.  

(a) This section shall apply to nongrandfathered individual and group health care service plan contracts that provide coverage for essential health benefits defined in Section 1367.005 and that are issued, amended, or renewed for the 2014 plan year.

(b) (1) For nongrandfathered health care service plan contracts in the individual market, and to the extent allowed by federal law, regulations, and guidance, a health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, shall provide for a limit on annual out-of-pocket expenses for all covered benefits that meet the definition of essential health benefits as defined in Section 1367.005, including out-of-network emergency care consistent with Section 1371.4. The total out-of-pocket maximum shall not exceed six thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($6,350) for individual coverage and twelve thousand seven hundred dollars ($12,700) for family coverage.

(2) For nongrandfathered specialized health care service plan contracts in the individual market that provide the pediatric oral care benefit meeting the definition in Section 1302(b)(1)(j) of PPACA, the out-of-pocket maximum for the pediatric oral care benefit shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for one child and two thousand dollars ($2,000) for more than one child.

(3) A health care service plan shall not apply a separate out-of-pocket maximum to mental health or substance use disorder benefits.

(c) For nongrandfathered health care service plan contracts in the small group markets, and to the extent allowed by federal law, regulations, and guidance, a health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, shall provide for a limit on annual out-of-pocket expenses for all covered benefits that meet the definition of essential health benefits, as defined in Section 1367.005, including out-of-network emergency care consistent with Section 1371.4, as follows:

(1) With respect to all essential health benefits, except for the pediatric oral care benefit, the total out-of-pocket maximum shall not exceed six thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($6,350) for individual coverage and twelve thousand seven hundred dollars ($12,700) for family coverage. For small group health plan contracts the total out-of-pocket maximum limit in this paragraph may be split between prescription drug services and all other essential health benefits.

(2) The separate out-of-pocket maximum for pediatric oral care benefits meeting the definition in Section 1302(b)(1)(j) of PPACA shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for one child or two thousand dollars ($2,000) for more than one child.

(3) A health care service plan shall not apply a separate out-of-pocket maximum to mental health or substance use disorder benefits.

(d) For nongrandfathered health care service plan contracts in the large group market, a health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, shall provide for a limit on annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered benefits, including out-of-network emergency care consistent with Section 1371.4. This limit shall apply only to essential health benefits, as defined in Section 1367.005, that are covered under the plan contract. This limit shall be as follows:

(1) The total out-of-pocket maximum shall not exceed six thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($6,350) for individual coverage or twelve thousand seven hundred dollars ($12,700) for family coverage with respect to basic health care services as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1345, and services, except for prescription drugs, required under Sections 1374.72 and 1374.73.

(2) To the extent the plan contract includes an out-of-pocket maximum on coverage other than the coverage defined in paragraph (1), that out-of-pocket maximum shall not exceed six thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($6,350) for individual coverage or twelve thousand seven hundred dollars ($12,700) for family coverage.

(3) An enrollee in a large group plan contract shall not be subject to more than two limits on annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered benefits that meet the definition of essential health benefits.

(4) A health care service plan shall not apply a separate out-of-pocket maximum to mental health or substance use disorder benefits.

(5) This subdivision shall apply only to the extent that it does not conflict with federal law or guidance on out-of-pocket maximums for nongrandfathered health plan contracts in the large group market.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the reduction in cost sharing for eligible enrollees described in Section 1402 of PPACA, and any subsequent rules, regulations, or guidance issued under that section.

(f) The limits described in this section shall apply to any copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and any other form of cost sharing for all covered services that meet the definition of essential health benefits.

(g) For nongrandfathered health plan contracts in the group market, “plan year” has the meaning set forth in Section 144.103 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. For nongrandfathered health plan contracts sold in the individual market, “plan year” means the calendar year.

(h) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2014. Repealed as of January 1, 2016, by its own provisions.)

1367.007.  

(a) (1) For a small employer health care service plan contract offered, sold, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014, the deductible under the plan shall not exceed:

(A) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) in the case of a plan contract covering a single individual.

(B) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) in the case of any other plan contract.

(2) The dollar amounts in this section shall be indexed consistent with Section 1302(c)(2) of PPACA and any federal rules or guidance pursuant to that section.

(3) The limitation in this subdivision shall be applied in a manner that does not affect the actuarial value of any small employer health care service plan contract.

(4) For small group products at the bronze level of coverage, as defined in Section 1367.008, the department may permit plans to offer a higher deductible in order to meet the actuarial value requirement of the bronze level. In making this determination, the department shall consider affordability of cost sharing for enrollees and shall also consider whether enrollees may be deterred from seeking appropriate care because of higher cost sharing.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a plan contract to have a deductible that applies to preventive services as defined in Section 1367.002.

(c) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1367.008.  

(a) Levels of coverage for the nongrandfathered individual market are defined as follows:

(1) Bronze level: A health care service plan contract in the bronze level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 60 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(2) Silver level: A health care service plan contract in the silver level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 70 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(3) Gold level: A health care service plan contract in the gold level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 80 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(4) Platinum level: A health care service plan contract in the platinum level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 90 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(b) Actuarial value for nongrandfathered individual health care service plan contracts shall be determined in accordance with the following:

(1) Actuarial value shall not vary by more than plus or minus 2 percent.

(2) Actuarial value shall be determined on the basis of essential health benefits as defined in Section 1367.005 and as provided to a standard, nonelderly population. For this purpose, a standard population shall not include those receiving coverage through the Medi-Cal or Medicare programs.

(3) The department may use the actuarial value methodology developed consistent with Section 1302(d) of PPACA.

(4) The actuarial value for pediatric dental benefits, whether offered by a full service plan or a specialized plan, shall be consistent with federal law and guidance applicable to the plan type.

(5) The department, in consultation with the Department of Insurance and the Exchange, shall consider whether to exercise state-level flexibility with respect to the actuarial value calculator in order to take into account the unique characteristics of the California health care coverage market, including the prevalence of health care service plans, total cost of care paid for by the plan, price of care, patterns of service utilization, and relevant demographic factors.

(c) (1) A catastrophic plan is a health care service plan contract that provides no benefits for any plan year until the enrollee has incurred cost-sharing expenses in an amount equal to the annual limit on out-of-pocket costs as specified in Section 1367.006 except that it shall provide coverage for at least three primary care visits. A carrier that is not participating in the Exchange shall not offer, market, or sell a catastrophic plan in the individual market.

(2) A catastrophic plan may be offered only in the individual market and only if consistent with this paragraph. Catastrophic plans may be offered only if either of the following apply:

(A) The individual purchasing the plan has not yet attained 30 years of age before the beginning of the plan year.

(B) The individual has a certificate of exemption from Section 5000(A) of the Internal Revenue Code because the individual is not offered affordable coverage or because the individual faces hardship.

(d) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1367.009.  

(a) Levels of coverage for the nongrandfathered small group market are defined as follows:

(1) Bronze level: A health care service plan contract in the bronze level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 60 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(2) Silver level: A health care service plan contract in the silver level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 70 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(3) Gold level: A health care service plan contract in the gold level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 80 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(4) Platinum level: A health care service plan contract in the platinum level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 90 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan contract.

(b) Actuarial value for nongrandfathered small employer health care service plan contracts shall be determined in accordance with the following:

(1) Actuarial value shall not vary by more than plus or minus 2 percent.

(2) Actuarial value shall be determined on the basis of essential health benefits as defined in Section 1367.005 and as provided to a standard, nonelderly population. For this purpose, a standard population shall not include those receiving coverage through the Medi-Cal or Medicare programs.

(3) The department may use the actuarial value methodology developed consistent with Section 1302(d) of PPACA.

(4) The actuarial value for pediatric dental benefits, whether offered by a full service plan or a specialized plan, shall be consistent with federal law and guidance applicable to the plan type.

(5) The department, in consultation with the Department of Insurance and the Exchange, shall consider whether to exercise state-level flexibility with respect to the actuarial value calculator in order to take into account the unique characteristics of the California health care coverage market, including the prevalence of health care service plans, total cost of care paid for by the plan, price of care, patterns of service utilization, and relevant demographic factors.

(6) Employer contributions toward health reimbursement accounts and health savings accounts shall count toward the actuarial value of the product in the manner specified in federal rules and guidance.

(c) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1367.01.  

(a) A health care service plan and any entity with which it contracts for services that include utilization review or utilization management functions, that prospectively, retrospectively, or concurrently reviews and approves, modifies, delays, or denies, based in whole or in part on medical necessity, requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees, or that delegates these functions to medical groups or independent practice associations or to other contracting providers, shall comply with this section.

(b) A health care service plan that is subject to this section shall have written policies and procedures establishing the process by which the plan prospectively, retrospectively, or concurrently reviews and approves, modifies, delays, or denies, based in whole or in part on medical necessity, requests by providers of health care services for plan enrollees. These policies and procedures shall ensure that decisions based on the medical necessity of proposed health care services are consistent with criteria or guidelines that are supported by clinical principles and processes. These criteria and guidelines shall be developed pursuant to Section 1363.5. These policies and procedures, and a description of the process by which the plan reviews and approves, modifies, delays, or denies requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees, shall be filed with the director for review and approval, and shall be disclosed by the plan to providers and enrollees upon request, and by the plan to the public upon request.

(c) A health care service plan subject to this section, except a plan that meets the requirements of Section 1351.2, shall employ or designate a medical director who holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in this state issued pursuant to Section 2050 of the Business and Professions Code or pursuant to the Osteopathic Act, or, if the plan is a specialized health care service plan, a clinical director with California licensure in a clinical area appropriate to the type of care provided by the specialized health care service plan. The medical director or clinical director shall ensure that the process by which the plan reviews and approves, modifies, or denies, based in whole or in part on medical necessity, requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees, complies with the requirements of this section.

(d) If health plan personnel, or individuals under contract to the plan to review requests by providers, approve the provider’s request, pursuant to subdivision (b), the decision shall be communicated to the provider pursuant to subdivision (h).

(e) No individual, other than a licensed physician or a licensed health care professional who is competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the health care services requested by the provider, may deny or modify requests for authorization of health care services for an enrollee for reasons of medical necessity. The decision of the physician or other health care professional shall be communicated to the provider and the enrollee pursuant to subdivision (h).

(f) The criteria or guidelines used by the health care service plan to determine whether to approve, modify, or deny requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with, the provision of health care services to enrollees shall be consistent with clinical principles and processes. These criteria and guidelines shall be developed pursuant to the requirements of Section 1363.5.

(g) If the health care service plan requests medical information from providers in order to determine whether to approve, modify, or deny requests for authorization, the plan shall request only the information reasonably necessary to make the determination.

(h) In determining whether to approve, modify, or deny requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees, based in whole or in part on medical necessity, a health care service plan subject to this section shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Decisions to approve, modify, or deny, based on medical necessity, requests by providers prior to, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees that do not meet the requirements for the time period for review required by paragraph (2), shall be made in a timely fashion appropriate for the nature of the enrollee’s condition, not to exceed five business days from the plan’s receipt of the information reasonably necessary and requested by the plan to make the determination. In cases where the review is retrospective, the decision shall be communicated to the individual who received services, or to the individual’s designee, within 30 days of the receipt of information that is reasonably necessary to make this determination, and shall be communicated to the provider in a manner that is consistent with current law. For purposes of this section, retrospective reviews shall be for care rendered on or after January 1, 2000.

(2) When the enrollee’s condition is such that the enrollee faces an imminent and serious threat to his or her health, including, but not limited to, the potential loss of life, limb, or other major bodily function, or the normal timeframe for the decisionmaking process, as described in paragraph (1), would be detrimental to the enrollee’s life or health or could jeopardize the enrollee’s ability to regain maximum function, decisions to approve, modify, or deny requests by providers prior to, or concurrent with, the provision of health care services to enrollees, shall be made in a timely fashion appropriate for the nature of the enrollee’s condition, not to exceed 72 hours or, if shorter, the period of time required under Section 2719 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-19) and any subsequent rules or regulations issued thereunder, after the plan’s receipt of the information reasonably necessary and requested by the plan to make the determination. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 1371.4. Notwithstanding Section 1371.4, the requirements of this division shall be applicable to all health plans and other entities conducting utilization review or utilization management.

(3) Decisions to approve, modify, or deny requests by providers for authorization prior to, or concurrent with, the provision of health care services to enrollees shall be communicated to the requesting provider within 24 hours of the decision. Except for concurrent review decisions pertaining to care that is underway, which shall be communicated to the enrollee’s treating provider within 24 hours, decisions resulting in denial, delay, or modification of all or part of the requested health care service shall be communicated to the enrollee in writing within two business days of the decision. In the case of concurrent review, care shall not be discontinued until the enrollee’s treating provider has been notified of the plan’s decision and a care plan has been agreed upon by the treating provider that is appropriate for the medical needs of that patient.

(4) Communications regarding decisions to approve requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees shall specify the specific health care service approved. Responses regarding decisions to deny, delay, or modify health care services requested by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees shall be communicated to the enrollee in writing, and to providers initially by telephone or facsimile, except with regard to decisions rendered retrospectively, and then in writing, and shall include a clear and concise explanation of the reasons for the plan’s decision, a description of the criteria or guidelines used, and the clinical reasons for the decisions regarding medical necessity. Any written communication to a physician or other health care provider of a denial, delay, or modification of a request shall include the name and telephone number of the health care professional responsible for the denial, delay, or modification. The telephone number provided shall be a direct number or an extension, to allow the physician or health care provider easily to contact the professional responsible for the denial, delay, or modification. Responses shall also include information as to how the enrollee may file a grievance with the plan pursuant to Section 1368, and in the case of Medi-Cal enrollees, shall explain how to request an administrative hearing and aid paid pending under Sections 51014.1 and 51014.2 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(5) If the health care service plan cannot make a decision to approve, modify, or deny the request for authorization within the timeframes specified in paragraph (1) or (2) because the plan is not in receipt of all of the information reasonably necessary and requested, or because the plan requires consultation by an expert reviewer, or because the plan has asked that an additional examination or test be performed upon the enrollee, provided the examination or test is reasonable and consistent with good medical practice, the plan shall, immediately upon the expiration of the timeframe specified in paragraph (1) or (2) or as soon as the plan becomes aware that it will not meet the timeframe, whichever occurs first, notify the provider and the enrollee, in writing, that the plan cannot make a decision to approve, modify, or deny the request for authorization within the required timeframe, and specify the information requested but not received, or the expert reviewer to be consulted, or the additional examinations or tests required. The plan shall also notify the provider and enrollee of the anticipated date on which a decision may be rendered. Upon receipt of all information reasonably necessary and requested by the plan, the plan shall approve, modify, or deny the request for authorization within the timeframes specified in paragraph (1) or (2), whichever applies.

(6) If the director determines that a health care service plan has failed to meet any of the timeframes in this section, or has failed to meet any other requirement of this section, the director may assess, by order, administrative penalties for each failure. A proceeding for the issuance of an order assessing administrative penalties shall be subject to appropriate notice to, and an opportunity for a hearing with regard to, the person affected, in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 1397. The administrative penalties shall not be deemed an exclusive remedy for the director. These penalties shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45.

(i) A health care service plan subject to this section shall maintain telephone access for providers to request authorization for health care services.

(j) A health care service plan subject to this section that reviews requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with, the provision of health care services to enrollees shall establish, as part of the quality assurance program required by Section 1370, a process by which the plan’s compliance with this section is assessed and evaluated. The process shall include provisions for evaluation of complaints, assessment of trends, implementation of actions to correct identified problems, mechanisms to communicate actions and results to the appropriate health plan employees and contracting providers, and provisions for evaluation of any corrective action plan and measurements of performance.

(k) The director shall review a health care service plan’s compliance with this section as part of its periodic onsite medical survey of each plan undertaken pursuant to Section 1380, and shall include a discussion of compliance with this section as part of its report issued pursuant to that section.

(l) This section shall not apply to decisions made for the care or treatment of the sick who depend upon prayer or spiritual means for healing in the practice of religion as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 1270.

(m) Nothing in this section shall cause a health care service plan to be defined as a health care provider for purposes of any provision of law, including, but not limited to, Section 6146 of the Business and Professions Code, Sections 3333.1 and 3333.2 of the Civil Code, and Sections 340.5, 364, 425.13, 667.7, and 1295 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 658, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2011.)

1367.012.  

(a) (1) A small employer health care service plan contract in effect on December 31, 2013, and still in effect as of the effective date of this section, that does not qualify as a grandfathered health plan under Section 1251 of PPACA may be renewed until January 1, 2015, and may continue to be in force until December 31, 2015, subject to applicable federal law, and any other requirements imposed by this chapter.

(2) A small employer health care service plan contract described in paragraph (1) may continue to be in force after December 31, 2015, if the contract is amended to comply with all of the provisions listed in subdivision (e) by January 1, 2016, and complies with all other applicable provisions of law.

(b) (1) If a health care service plan offers for renewal a small employer health care service plan contract pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the health care service plan shall provide notice to the group contractholder regarding the option to renew coverage pursuant to subdivision (a) using the relevant notice attached to the guidance entitled “Insurance Standards Bulletin Series – Extension of Transition Policy through October 1, 2016,” issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on March 5, 2014.

(2) A health care service plan shall include the following notice with the notice issued pursuant to paragraph (1):


“New health care coverage options are available in California. You currently have health care coverage that is not required to comply with many new laws. A new health care service plan contract may be more affordable and/or offer more comprehensive benefits. New plans may also have limits on deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, while your existing plan may have no such limits.

You have the option to remain with your current coverage for one more year or switch to new coverage that complies with the new laws. Covered California, the state’s new health insurance marketplace, offers small employers health insurance from a number of companies through its Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). Federal tax credits are available through the SHOP to those small employers that qualify. Talk to Covered California (1-877-453-9198), your plan representative, or your insurance agent to discuss your options.”


(3) A health care service plan shall include with the notices issued pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), the premium, cost sharing, and benefits associated with the plan’s standard benefit designs approved consistent with subdivision (c) of Section 100504 of the Government Code for the geographic region of the small employer.

(4) A health care service plan that offers for renewal a small employer health care service plan contract pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall offer renewal to all employers whose health care service plan contract with that health care service plan was in effect on December 31, 2013.

(c) (1) A small employer health care service plan contract in effect on December 31, 2013, and still in effect as of the effective date of this section, that does not qualify as a grandfathered health plan under Section 1251 of PPACA that is renewed on or before January 1, 2015, and that continues to be in force until no later than December 31, 2015, is exempt from the following provisions:

(A) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of, and subdivisions (e) and (i) of, Section 1357.503.

(B) Section 1357.512.

(C) Sections 1367.005 and 1357.508.

(D) Section 1367.0065.

(E) Section 1367.006.

(F) Section 1367.007.

(G) Section 1367.009.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of, and subdivision (e) of, Section 1357.503, a small employer health care service plan contract subject to this section shall only be offered, marketed, and sold to an employer whose health care service plan contract with that health care service plan was in effect on December 31, 2013.

(d) A small employer health care service plan contract described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be subject to Sections 1357.12 and 1357.13, and shall continue to be subject to Article 3.16 (commencing with Section 1357.500), except as provided in subdivision (c), and to all otherwise applicable provisions of this chapter.

(e) No later than January 1, 2016, a small employer health care service plan contract described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) may be amended to comply with all of the following:

(1) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of, and subdivisions (e) and (i) of, Section 1357.503.

(2) Section 1357.512.

(3) Sections 1357.508 and 1367.005.

(4) Section 1367.006.

(5) Section 1367.007.

(6) Section 1367.009.

(f) This section shall be implemented only to the extent permitted by PPACA.

(g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that law.

(2) “Small employer health care service plan contract” means a group health care service plan contract, other than a specialized health care service plan contract, issued to a small employer, as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 1357.500.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 84, Sec. 1. Effective July 7, 2014.)

1367.015.  

In addition to complying with subdivision (h) of Section 1367.01, in determining whether to approve, modify, or deny requests by providers prior to, retrospectively, or concurrent with the provision of health care services to enrollees, based in whole or in part on medical necessity, a health care service plan subject to Section 1367.01 shall not base decisions to deny requests by providers for authorization for mental health services or to deny claim reimbursement for mental health services on either of the following:

(a) Whether admission was voluntary or involuntary.

(b) The method of transportation to the health facility.

(Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 722, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)

1367.02.  

(a) On or before July 1, 1999, for purposes of public disclosure, every health care service plan shall file with the department a description of any policies and procedures related to economic profiling utilized by the plan and its medical groups and individual practice associations. The filing shall describe how these policies and procedures are used in utilization review, peer review, incentive and penalty programs, and in provider retention and termination decisions. The filing shall also indicate in what manner, if any, the economic profiling system being used takes into consideration risk adjustments that reflect case mix, type and severity of patient illness, age of patients, and other enrollee characteristics that may account for higher or lower than expected costs or utilization of services. The filing shall also indicate how the economic profiling activities avoid being in conflict with subdivision (g) of Section 1367, which requires each plan to demonstrate that medical decisions are rendered by qualified medical providers, unhindered by fiscal and administrative management. Any changes to the policies and procedures shall be filed with the director pursuant to Section 1352. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or impair the department, in its discretion, from utilizing the information filed pursuant to this section for purposes of ensuring compliance with this chapter.

(b) The director shall make each plan’s filing available to the public upon request. The director shall not publicly disclose any information submitted pursuant to this section that is determined by the director to be confidential pursuant to state law.

(c) Each plan that uses economic profiling shall, upon request, provide a copy of economic profiling information related to an individual provider, contracting medical group, or individual practice association to the profiled individual, group, or association. In addition, each plan shall require as a condition of contract that its medical groups and individual practice associations that maintain economic profiles of individual providers shall, upon request, provide a copy of individual economic profiling information to the individual providers who are profiled. The economic profiling information provided pursuant to this section shall be provided upon request until 60 days after the date upon which the contract between the plan and the individual provider, medical group, or individual practice association terminates, or until 60 days after the date the contract between the medical group or individual practice association and the individual provider terminates, whichever is applicable.

(d) For the purposes of this article, “economic profiling” shall mean any evaluation of a particular physician, provider, medical group, or individual practice association based in whole or in part on the economic costs or utilization of services associated with medical care provided or authorized by the physician, provider, medical group, or individual practice association.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 95. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)

1367.03.  

(a) Not later than January 1, 2004, the department shall develop and adopt regulations to ensure that enrollees have access to needed health care services in a timely manner. In developing these regulations, the department shall develop indicators of timeliness of access to care and, in so doing, shall consider the following as indicators of timeliness of access to care:

(1) Waiting times for appointments with physicians, including primary care and specialty physicians.

(2) Timeliness of care in an episode of illness, including the timeliness of referrals and obtaining other services, if needed.

(3) Waiting time to speak to a physician, registered nurse, or other qualified health professional acting within his or her scope of practice who is trained to screen or triage an enrollee who may need care.

(b) In developing these standards for timeliness of access, the department shall consider the following:

(1) Clinical appropriateness.

(2) The nature of the specialty.

(3) The urgency of care.

(4) The requirements of other provisions of law, including Section 1367.01 governing utilization review, that may affect timeliness of access.

(c) The department may adopt standards other than the time elapsed between the time an enrollee seeks health care and obtains care. If the department chooses a standard other than the time elapsed between the time an enrollee first seeks health care and obtains it, the department shall demonstrate why that standard is more appropriate. In developing these standards, the department shall consider the nature of the plan network.

(d) The department shall review and adopt standards, as needed, concerning the availability of primary care physicians, specialty physicians, hospital care, and other health care, so that consumers have timely access to care. In so doing, the department shall consider the nature of physician practices, including individual and group practices as well as the nature of the plan network. The department shall also consider various circumstances affecting the delivery of care, including urgent care, care provided on the same day, and requests for specific providers. If the department finds that health care service plans and health care providers have difficulty meeting these standards, the department may make recommendations to the Assembly Committee on Health and the Senate Committee on Insurance of the Legislature pursuant to subdivision (i).

(e) In developing standards under subdivision (a), the department shall consider requirements under federal law, requirements under other state programs, standards adopted by other states, nationally recognized accrediting organizations, and professional associations. The department shall further consider the needs of rural areas, specifically those in which health facilities are more than 30 miles apart and any requirements imposed by the State Department of Health Care Services on health care service plans that contract with the State Department of Health Care Services to provide Medi-Cal managed care.

(f) (1) Contracts between health care service plans and health care providers shall ensure compliance with the standards developed under this section. These contracts shall require reporting by health care providers to health care service plans and by health care service plans to the department to ensure compliance with the standards.

(2) Health care service plans shall report annually to the department on compliance with the standards in a manner specified by the department. The reported information shall allow consumers to compare the performance of plans and their contracting providers in complying with the standards, as well as changes in the compliance of plans with these standards.

(3) The department may develop standardized methodologies for reporting that shall be used by health care service plans to demonstrate compliance with this section and any regulations adopted pursuant to it. The methodologies shall be sufficient to determine compliance with the standards developed under this section for different networks of providers if a health care service plan uses a different network for Medi-Cal managed care products than for other products or if a health care service plan uses a different network for individual market products than for small group market products. The development and adoption of these methodologies shall not be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) until January 1, 2020. The department shall consult with stakeholders in developing standardized methodologies under this paragraph.

(g) (1) When evaluating compliance with the standards, the department shall focus more upon patterns of noncompliance rather than isolated episodes of noncompliance.

(2) The director may investigate and take enforcement action against plans regarding noncompliance with the requirements of this section. Where substantial harm to an enrollee has occurred as a result of plan noncompliance, the director may, by order, assess administrative penalties subject to appropriate notice of, and the opportunity for, a hearing in accordance with Section 1397. The plan may provide to the director, and the director may consider, information regarding the plan’s overall compliance with the requirements of this section. The administrative penalties shall not be deemed an exclusive remedy available to the director. These penalties shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45. The director shall periodically evaluate grievances to determine if any audit, investigative, or enforcement actions should be undertaken by the department.

(3) The director may, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing in accordance with Section 1397, by order, assess administrative penalties if the director determines that a health care service plan has knowingly committed, or has performed with a frequency that indicates a general business practice, either of the following:

(A) Repeated failure to act promptly and reasonably to assure timely access to care consistent with this chapter.

(B) Repeated failure to act promptly and reasonably to require contracting providers to assure timely access that the plan is required to perform under this chapter and that have been delegated by the plan to the contracting provider when the obligation of the plan to the enrollee or subscriber is reasonably clear.

(C) The administrative penalties available to the director pursuant to this section are not exclusive, and may be sought and employed in any combination with civil, criminal, and other administrative remedies deemed warranted by the director to enforce this chapter.

(4) The administrative penalties shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45.

(h) The department shall work with the patient advocate to assure that the quality of care report card incorporates information provided pursuant to subdivision (f) regarding the degree to which health care service plans and health care providers comply with the requirements for timely access to care.

(i) The department shall annually review information regarding compliance with the standards developed under this section and shall make recommendations for changes that further protect enrollees. Commencing no later than December 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the department shall post its final findings from the review on its Internet Web site.

(j) The department shall post on its Internet Web site any waivers or alternative standards that the department approves under this section on or after January 1, 2015.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 573, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.035.  

(a) As part of the reports submitted to the department pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1367.03 and regulations adopted pursuant to that section, a health care service plan shall submit to the department, in a manner specified by the department, data regarding network adequacy, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Provider office location.

(2) Area of specialty.

(3) Hospitals where providers have admitting privileges, if any.

(4) Providers with open practices.

(5) The number of patients assigned to a primary care provider or, for providers who do not have assigned enrollees, information that demonstrates the capacity of primary care providers to be accessible and available to enrollees.

(6) Grievances regarding network adequacy and timely access that the health care service plan received during the preceding calendar year.

(b) A health care service plan that uses a network for its Medi-Cal managed care product line that is different from the network used for its other product lines shall submit the data required under subdivision (a) for its Medi-Cal managed care product line separately from the data submitted for its other product lines.

(c) A health care service plan that uses a network for its individual market product line that is different from the network used for its small group market product line shall submit the data required under subdivision (a) for its individual market product line separate from the data submitted for its small group market product line.

(d) The department shall review the data submitted pursuant to this section for compliance with this chapter.

(e) In submitting data under this section, a health care service plan that provides services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall provide the same data to the State Department of Health Care Services pursuant to Section 14456.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(f) In developing the format and requirements for reports, data, or other information provided by plans pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall not create duplicate reporting requirements, but, instead, shall take into consideration all existing relevant reports, data, or other information provided by plans to the department. This subdivision does not limit the authority of the department to request additional information from the plan as deemed necessary to carry out and complete any enforcement action initiated under this chapter.

(g) If the department requests additional information or data to be reported pursuant to subdivision (a), which is different or in addition to the information required to be reported in paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a), the department shall provide health care service plans notice of that change by November 1 of the year prior to the change.

(h) A health care service plan may include in the provider contract provisions requiring compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 1367.03 and this section.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 573, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.04.  

(a) Not later than January 1, 2006, the department shall develop and adopt regulations establishing standards and requirements to provide health care service plan enrollees with appropriate access to language assistance in obtaining health care services.

(b) In developing the regulations, the department shall require every health care service plan and specialized health care service plan to assess the linguistic needs of the enrollee population, excluding Medi-Cal enrollees, and to provide for translation and interpretation for medical services, as indicated. A health care service plan that participates in the Healthy Families Program may assess the Healthy Families Program enrollee population separately from the remainder of its enrollee population for purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1). A health care service plan that chooses to separate its Healthy Families Program enrollment from the remainder of its enrollee population shall treat the Healthy Families Program population separately for purposes of determining whether subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) is applicable, and shall also treat the Healthy Families Program population separately for purposes of applying the percentage and numerical thresholds in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1). The regulations shall include the following:

(1) Requirements for the translation of vital documents that include the following:

(A) A requirement that all vital documents, as defined pursuant to subparagraph (B), be translated into an indicated language, as follows:

(i) A health care service plan with an enrollment of 1,000,000 or more shall translate vital documents into the top two languages other than English as determined by the needs assessment as required by this subdivision and any additional languages when 0.75 percent or 15,000 of the enrollee population, whichever number is less, excluding Medi-Cal enrollment and treating Healthy Families Program enrollment separately indicates in the needs assessment as required by this subdivision a preference for written materials in that language.

(ii) A health care service plan with an enrollment of 300,000 or more but less than 1,000,000 shall translate vital documents into the top one language other than English as determined by the needs assessment as required by this subdivision and any additional languages when 1 percent or 6,000 of the enrollee population, whichever number is less, excluding Medi-Cal enrollment and treating Healthy Families Program enrollment separately indicates in the needs assessment as required by this subdivision a preference for written materials in that language.

(iii) A health care service plan with an enrollment of less than 300,000 shall translate vital documents into a language other than English when 3,000 or more or 5 percent of the enrollee population, whichever number is less, excluding Medi-Cal enrollment and treating Healthy Families Program enrollment separately indicates in the needs assessment as required by this subdivision a preference for written materials in that language.

(B) Specification of vital documents produced by the plan that are required to be translated. The specification of vital documents shall not exceed that of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Policy Guidance (65 Federal Register 52762 (August 30, 2000)), but shall include all of the following:

(i) Applications.

(ii) Consent forms.

(iii) Letters containing important information regarding eligibility and participation criteria.

(iv) Notices pertaining to the denial, reduction, modification, or termination of services and benefits, and the right to file a grievance or appeal.

(v) Notices advising limited-English-proficient persons of the availability of free language assistance and other outreach materials that are provided to enrollees.

(vi) Translated documents shall not include a health care service plan’s explanation of benefits or similar claim processing information that is sent to enrollees, unless the document requires a response by the enrollee.

(C) (i) For those documents described in subparagraph (B) that are not standardized but contain enrollee specific information, health care service plans shall not be required to translate the documents into the threshold languages identified by the needs assessment as required by this subdivision, but rather shall include with the documents a written notice of the availability of interpretation services in the threshold languages identified by the needs assessment as required by this subdivision.

(ii) Upon request, the enrollee shall receive a written translation of the documents described in clause (i). The health care service plan shall have up to, but not to exceed, 21 days to comply with the enrollee’s request for a written translation. If an enrollee requests a translated document, all timeframes and deadline requirements related to the document that apply to the health care service plan and enrollees under the provisions of this chapter and under any regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter shall begin to run upon the health care service plan’s issuance of the translated document.

(iii) For grievances that require expedited plan review and response in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 1368.01, the health care service plan may satisfy this requirement by providing notice of the availability and access to oral interpretation services.

(D) A requirement that health care service plans advise limited-English-proficient enrollees of the availability of interpreter services.

(2) Standards to ensure the quality and accuracy of the written translations and that a translated document meets the same standards required for the English language version of the document. The English language documents shall determine the rights and obligations of the parties, and the translated documents shall be admissible in evidence only if there is a dispute regarding a substantial difference in the material terms and conditions of the English language document and the translated document.

(3) Requirements for surveying the language preferences and needs assessments of health care service plan enrollees within one year of the effective date of the regulations that permit health care service plans to utilize various survey methods, including, but not limited to, the use of existing enrollment and renewal processes, subscriber newsletters, or other mailings. Health care service plans shall update the needs assessment, demographic profile, and language translation requirements every three years.

(4) Requirements for individual enrollee access to interpretation services.

(5) Standards to ensure the quality and timeliness of oral interpretation services provided by health care service plans.

(c) In developing the regulations, standards, and requirements, the department shall consider the following:

(1) Publications and standards issued by federal agencies, such as the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health Care issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health in December 2000, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Policy Guidance (65 Federal Register 52762 (August 30, 2000)).

(2) Other cultural and linguistic requirements under state programs, such as Medi-Cal Managed Care Policy Letters, cultural and linguistic requirements imposed by the State Department of Health Services on health care service plans that contract to provide Medi-Cal managed care services, and cultural and linguistic requirements imposed by the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board on health care service plans that contract to provide services in the Healthy Families Program.

(3) Standards adopted by other states pertaining to language assistance requirements for health care service plans.

(4) Standards established by California or nationally recognized accrediting, certifying, or licensing organizations and medical and health care interpreter professional associations regarding interpretation services.

(5) Publications, guidelines, reports, and recommendations issued by state agencies or advisory committees, such as the report card to the public on the comparative performance of plans and reports on cultural and linguistic services issued by the Office of Patient Advocate and the report to the Legislature from the Task Force on Culturally and Linguistically Competent Physicians and Dentists established by Section 852 of the Business and Professions Code.

(6) Examples of best practices relating to language assistance services by health care providers and health care service plans, including existing practices.

(7) Information gathered from complaints to the HMO Helpline and consumer assistance centers regarding language assistance services.

(8) The cost of compliance and the availability of translation and interpretation services and professionals.

(9) Flexibility to accommodate variations in plan networks and method of service delivery. The department shall allow for health care service plan flexibility in determining compliance with the standards for oral and written interpretation services.

(d) The department shall work to ensure that the biennial reports required by this section, and the data collected for those reports, are consistent with reports required by government-sponsored programs and do not require duplicative or conflicting data collection or reporting.

(e) The department shall seek public input from a wide range of interested parties through advisory bodies established by the director.

(f) A contract between a health care service plan and a health care provider shall require compliance with the standards developed under this section. In furtherance of this section, the contract shall require providers to cooperate with the plan by providing any information necessary to assess compliance.

(g) The department shall report biennially to the Legislature and advisory bodies established by the director regarding plan compliance with the standards, including results of compliance audits made in conjunction with other audits and reviews. The reported information shall also be included in the publication required under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 1368.02. The department shall also utilize the reported information to make recommendations for changes that further enhance standards pursuant to this section. The department may also delay or otherwise phase-in implementation of standards and requirements in recognition of costs and availability of translation and interpretation services and professionals.

(h) (1) Except for contracts with the State Department of Health Services Medi-Cal program, the standards developed under this section shall be considered the minimum required for compliance.

(2) The regulations shall provide that a health plan is in compliance if the plan is required to meet the same or similar standards by the Medi-Cal program, either by contract or state law, if the standards provide as much access to cultural and linguistic services as the standards established by this section for an equal or higher number of enrollees and therefore meet or exceed the standards of the regulations established pursuant to this section, and the department determines that the health care service plan is in compliance with the standards required by the Medi-Cal program. To meet this requirement, the department shall not be required to perform individual audits. The department shall, to the extent feasible, rely on audits, reports, or other oversight and enforcement methods used by the State Department of Health Services.

(3) The determination pursuant to paragraph (2) shall only apply to the enrollees covered by the Medi-Cal program standards. A health care service plan subject to paragraph (2) shall comply with the standards established by this section with regard to enrollees not covered by the Medi-Cal program.

(i) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a government purchaser from including in their contracts additional translation or interpretation requirements, to meet linguistic or cultural needs, beyond those set forth pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 77, Sec. 29. Effective January 1, 2006.)

1367.041.  

(a) A health care service plan that advertises or markets products in the individual or small group health care service plan markets, or allows any other person or business to market or advertise on its behalf in the individual or small group health care service plan markets, in a non-English language that does not meet the requirements set forth in Sections 1367.04 and 1367.07, shall provide the following documents in the same non-English language:

(1) Welcome letters or notices of initial coverage, if provided.

(2) Applications for enrollment and any information pertinent to eligibility or participation.

(3) Notices advising limited-English-proficient persons of the availability of no-cost translation and interpretation services.

(4) Notices pertaining to the right and instructions on how an enrollee may file a grievance.

(5) The uniform summary of benefits and coverage required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1363.

(b) A health care service plan shall use a trained and qualified translator for all written translations of marketing and advertising materials relating to health care service plan products, and for all of the documents specified in subdivision (a).

(c) This section shall not apply to a specialized health care service plan that does not offer an essential health benefit as defined in Section 1367.005.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 447, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1367.05.  

(a)  Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a health care service plan from entering into a contract with a dental college approved by the Board of Dental Examiners of California under which the dental college provides for or arranges for the provision of dental care to enrollees of the plan through the practice of dentistry by either of the following:

(1)  Bona fide students of dentistry or dental hygiene operating under subdivision (b) of Section 1626 of the Business and Professions Code.

(2)  Bona fide clinicians or instructors operating under subdivision (c) of Section 1626 of the Business and Professions Code.

(b)  A plan that contracts with a dental college for the delivery of dental care pursuant to subdivision (a) shall disclose to enrollees in the disclosure form and the evidence of coverage, or the combined evidence of coverage and disclosure form, and, if the plan provides a listing of providers to the enrollees, in the listing of providers, that the dental care provided by the dental college will be provided by students of dentistry or dental hygiene and clinicians or instructors of the dental college.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 492, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1997.)

1367.06.  

(a) A health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2005, that covers outpatient prescription drug benefits shall include coverage for inhaler spacers when medically necessary for the management and treatment of pediatric asthma.

(b) If a subscriber has coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, a health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2005, shall include coverage for the following equipment and supplies when medically necessary for the management and treatment of pediatric asthma:

(1) Nebulizers, including face masks and tubing.

(2) Peak flow meters.

(c) The quantity of the equipment and supplies required to be covered pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) may be limited by the health care service plan if the limitations do not inhibit appropriate compliance with treatment as prescribed by the enrollee’s physician and surgeon. A health care service plan shall provide for an expeditious process for approving additional or replacement inhaler spacers, nebulizers, and peak flow meters when medically necessary for an enrollee to maintain compliance with his or her treatment regimen. The process required by Section 1367.24 may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section for an inhaler spacer.

(d) Education for pediatric asthma, including education to enable an enrollee to properly use the device identified in subdivisions (a) and (b), shall be consistent with current professional medical practice.

(e) The coverage required by this section shall be provided under the same general terms and conditions, including copayments and deductibles, applicable to all other benefits provided by the plan.

(f) A health care service plan shall disclose the benefits under this section in its evidence of coverage and disclosure forms.

(g) A health care service plan may not reduce or eliminate coverage as a result of the requirements of this section.

(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict in any way the department’s authority to ensure plan compliance with this chapter, if a plan provides coverage for prescription drugs.

(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 711, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)

1367.07.  

Within one year after a health care service plan’s assessment pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1367.04, the health care service plan shall report to the department, in a format specified by the department, regarding internal policies and procedures related to cultural appropriateness in each of the following contexts:

(a) Collection of data regarding the enrollee population pursuant to the health care service plan’s assessment conducted in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 1367.04.

(b) Education of health care service plan staff who have routine contact with enrollees regarding the diverse needs of the enrollee population.

(c) Recruitment and retention efforts that encourage workforce diversity.

(d) Evaluation of the health care service plan’s programs and services with respect to the plan’s enrollee population, using processes such as an analysis of complaints and satisfaction survey results.

(e) The periodic provision of information regarding the ethnic diversity of the plan’s enrollee population and any related strategies to plan providers. Plans may use existing means of communication.

(f) The periodic provision of educational information to plan enrollees on the plan’s services and programs. Plans may use existing means of communication.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 139. Effective January 1, 2009.)

1367.08.  

A health care service plan shall annually disclose to the governing board of a public agency that is the subscriber of a group contract, the name and address of, and amount paid to, any agent, broker, or individual to whom the plan paid fees or commissions related to the public agency’s group contract. As part of this disclosure, the health care service plan shall include the name, address, and amounts paid to the specific agents, brokers, or individuals involved in transactions with the public agency. The compensation disclosure required by this section is in addition to any other compensation disclosure requirements that exist under law.

(Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 331, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)

1367.09.  

(a)  An enrollee with coverage for Medicare benefits who is discharged from an acute care hospital shall be allowed to return to a skilled nursing facility in which the enrollee resided prior to hospitalization, or the skilled nursing unit of a continuing care retirement community or multilevel facility in which the enrollee is a resident for continuing treatment related to the acute care hospital stay, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1)  The enrollee is a resident of a continuing care retirement community, as defined in paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 1771, or is a resident of a multilevel facility, as defined in paragraph (9) of subdivision (d) of Section 15432 of the Government Code, or has resided for at least 60 days in a skilled nursing facility, as defined in Section 1250, that serves the needs of special populations, including religious and cultural groups.

(2)  The primary care physician, and the treating physician if appropriate, in consultation with the patient, determines that the medical care needs of the enrollee, including continuity of care, can be met in the skilled nursing facility, or the skilled nursing unit of the continuing care retirement community, or multilevel facility. If a determination not to return the patient to the facility is made, the physician shall document reasons in the patient’s medical record and share that written explanation with the patient.

(3)  The skilled nursing facility, continuing care retirement facility, or multilevel facility is within the service area and agrees to abide by the plan’s standards and terms and conditions related to the following:

(A)  Utilization review, quality assurance, peer review, and access to health care services.

(B)  Management and administrative procedures, including data and financial reporting that may be required by the plan.

(C)  Licensing and certification as required by Section 1367.

(D)  Appropriate certification of the facility by the Health Care Financing Administration or other federal and state agencies.

(4)  (A)  The skilled nursing facility, multilevel facility, or continuing care retirement community agrees to accept reimbursement from the health care service plan for covered services at either of the following rates:

(i)  The rate applicable to similar skilled nursing coverage for facilities participating in the plan.

(ii)  Upon mutual agreement, at a rate negotiated in good faith by the health care service plan or designated agent on an individual, per enrollee, contractual basis.

(B) Reimbursement shall not necessarily be based on actual costs and may be comparable to similar skilled nursing facility reimbursement methods available for other plan contracted facilities available to the individual member.

(b)  The health care service plan, or designated agent, shall be required to reimburse the skilled nursing facility, continuing care retirement facility, or multilevel facility at the rate agreed to in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a).

(c)  No skilled nursing facility, multilevel facility, or continuing care retirement community shall collect, or attempt to collect, or maintain any action of law, against a subscriber or enrollee to collect reimbursement owed by the health care service plan for health care services provided pursuant to this section, or for any amount in excess of the payment amount that the facility has agreed to accept in its agreement with the health care service plan.

(d)  Reimbursement by the health care service plan or designated agent shall be for those services included in the Medicare risk contract between the health care service plan and enrollee.

(e)  Nothing in this section requires a skilled nursing facility, continuing care retirement facility, or multilevel facility to accept as a skilled nursing unit patient anyone other than a resident of the facility.

(f)  This section shall apply to a health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 1999.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 124, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1999.)

1367.1.  

Subdivision (i) of Section 1367 shall apply to transitionally licensed plans only insofar as it relates to contracts entered into, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after October 1, 1977.

(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 818.)

1367.2.  

(a)  On and after January 1, 1990, every health care service plan that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall offer coverage for the treatment of alcoholism under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the group subscriber and the health care service plan. Every plan shall communicate the availability of such coverage to all group subscribers and to all prospective group subscribers with whom they are negotiating.

(b)  If the group subscriber or policyholder agrees to such coverage or to coverage for treatment of chemical dependency, or nicotine use, the treatment may take place in facilities licensed to provide alcoholism or chemical dependency services under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of Division 2.

(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 688, Sec. 1.)

1367.3.  

(a) On and after January 1, 1993, every health care service plan that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall offer benefits for the comprehensive preventive care of children. This section shall apply to children 17 and 18 years of age, except as provided in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b). Every plan shall communicate the availability of these benefits to all group contractholders and to all prospective group contractholders with whom they are negotiating. This section shall apply to a plan which, by rule or order of the director, has been exempted from subdivision (i) of Section 1367, insofar as that section and the rules thereunder relate to the provision of the preventive health care services described herein.

(b) For purposes of this section, benefits for the comprehensive preventive care of children shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Be consistent with both of the following:

(A) The Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care, as adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in September of 1987.

(B) The most current version of the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule/United States, jointly adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, unless the State Department of Health Services determines, within 45 days of the published date of the schedule, that the schedule is not consistent with the purposes of this section.

(2) Provide for the following:

(A) Periodic health evaluations.

(B) Immunizations.

(C) Laboratory services in connection with periodic health evaluations.

(D) For health care service plan contracts within the scope of this section that are issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 1993, screening for blood lead levels in children at risk for lead poisoning, as determined by a physician and surgeon affiliated with the plan, when the screening is prescribed by a physician and surgeon affiliated with the plan. This subparagraph shall be applicable to all children and shall not be limited to children 17 and 18 years of age.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 96. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)

1367.35.  

(a) On and after January 1, 1993, every health care service plan that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall provide benefits for the comprehensive preventive care of children 16 years of age or younger under terms and conditions agreed upon between the group subscriber and the plan. Every plan shall communicate the availability of these benefits to all group contractholders and to all prospective group contractholders with whom they are negotiating. This section shall apply to each plan that, by rule or order of the director, has been exempted from subdivision (i) of Section 1367, insofar as that section and the rules thereunder relate to the provision of the preventive health care services described in this section.

(b) For purposes of this section, benefits for the comprehensive preventive care of children shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Be consistent with both of the following:

(A) The Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care, as adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in September of 1987.

(B) The most current version of the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule/United States, jointly adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, unless the State Department of Health Services determines, within 45 days of the published date of the schedule, that the schedule is not consistent with the purposes of this section.

(2) Provide for all of the following:

(A) Periodic health evaluations.

(B) Immunizations.

(C) Laboratory services in connection with periodic health evaluations.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 97. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)

1367.36.  

(a)  A risk-based contract between a health care service plan and a physician or physician group that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2001, shall not include a provision that requires a physician or a physician group to assume financial risk for the acquisition costs of required immunizations for children as a condition of accepting the risk-based contract. A physician or physician group shall not be required to assume financial risk for immunizations that are not part of the current contract.

(b)  Beginning January 1, 2001, with respect to immunizations for children that are not part of the current contract between a health care service plan and a physician or physician group, the health care service plan shall reimburse a physician or physician group at the lowest of the following, until the contract is renegotiated: (1) the physician’s actual acquisition cost, (2) the “average wholesale price” as published in the Drug Topics Red Book, or (3) the lowest acquisition cost through sources made available to the physician by the health care service plan. Reimbursements shall be made within 45 days of receipt by the plan of documents from the physician demonstrating that the immunizations were performed, consistent with Section 1371 or through an alternative funding mechanism mutually agreed to by the health care service plan and the physician or physician group. The alternative funding mechanism shall be based on reimbursements consistent with this subdivision.

(c)  Physicians and physician groups may assume financial risk for providing required immunizations, if the immunizations have experiential data that has been negotiated and agreed upon by the health care service plan and the physician risk-bearing organization. However, a health care service plan shall not require a physician risk-bearing organization to accept financial risk or impose additional risk on a physician risk-bearing organization in violation of subdivision (a).

(d)  A health care service plan shall not include the acquisition costs associated with required immunizations for children in the capitation rate of a physician who is individually capitated.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 845, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1367.4.  

No plan issuing, providing, or administering any contract of individual or group coverage providing medical, surgical, or dental expense benefits applied for and issued on or after January 1, 1986, shall refuse to cover, or refuse to continue to cover, or limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charge a different rate for the same coverage solely because of blindness or partial blindness.

“Blindness or partial blindness” means central visual acuity of not more than 20/200 in the better eye, after correction, or visual acuity greater than 20/200 but with a limitation in the fields of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees, certified by a licensed physician and surgeon who specializes in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist.

(Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 971, Sec. 1.)

1367.45.  

(a)  Every individual or group health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2002, that covers hospital, medical, or surgery expenses shall provide coverage for a vaccine for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is approved for marketing by the federal Food and Drug Administration and that is recommended by the United States Public Health Service.

(b)  This section may not be construed to require a health care service plan to provide coverage for any clinical trials relating to an AIDS vaccine or for any AIDS vaccine that has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration in the form of an investigational new drug application.

(c)  A health care service plan that contracts directly with an individual provider or provider organization may not delegate the risk adjusted treatment cost of providing services under this section unless the requirements of Section 1375.5 are met.

(d)  Nothing in this section is to be construed in any manner to limit or impede a health care service plan’s power or responsibility to negotiate the most cost-effective price for vaccine purchases.

(e)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict in any way the department’s authority to ensure plan compliance with this chapter when a plan provides coverage for prescription drugs.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 791, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1367.46.  

Every individual or group health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2009, that covers hospital, medical, or surgery expenses shall provide coverage for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, regardless of whether the testing is related to a primary diagnosis.

(Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 631, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)

1367.49.  

(a) A contract issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2015, by or on behalf of a health care service plan and a provider or supplier shall not contain any provision that restricts the ability of the health care service plan to furnish consumers or purchasers information concerning any of the following:

(1) The cost range of a procedure or a full course of treatment, including, but not limited to, facility, professional, and diagnostic services, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and other items and services related to the treatment.

(2) The quality of services performed by the provider or supplier.

(b) Any contractual provision inconsistent with this section shall be void and unenforceable.

(c) A health care service plan shall provide the provider or supplier an advance opportunity of 30 days to review the methodology and data developed and compiled by the health care service plan, and used pursuant to subdivision (a), before cost or quality information is provided to consumers or purchasers, including material revisions or additions of new information. At the time the health care service plan provides a provider or supplier with the opportunity to review the methodology and data, it shall also notify the provider or supplier in writing of their opportunity to provide an Internet Web site link pursuant to subdivision (f).

(d) If the information proposed to be furnished to enrollees and subscribers on the quality of services performed by a provider or supplier is data that the plan has developed and compiled, the plan shall utilize appropriate risk adjustment factors to account for different characteristics of the population, such as case mix, severity of patient’s condition, comorbidities, outlier episodes, and other factors to account for differences in the use of health care resources among providers and suppliers.

(e) Any Internet Web site owned or controlled by a health care service plan, or operated by another person or entity under contract with or on behalf of a health care service plan, that displays the information developed and compiled by the health care service plan as referenced by this section shall prominently post the following statement:


“Individual facilities or health care providers may disagree with the methodology used to define the cost ranges, the cost data, or quality measures. Many factors may influence cost or quality, including, but not limited to, the cost of uninsured and charity care, the type and severity of procedures, the case mix of a facility, special services such as trauma centers, burn units, medical and other educational programs, research, transplant services, technology, payer mix, and other factors affecting individual facilities and health care providers.”


A health care service plan and a provider or supplier shall not be precluded from mutually agreeing in writing to an alternative method of conveying this statement.

(f) If a provider or supplier chooses to provide an Internet Web site link where a response to the health care service plan’s posting may be found, it shall do so in a timely manner in order to satisfy the requirements of this section. If a provider or supplier chooses to provide a response, a plan shall post, in an easily identified manner, a prominent link to the provider’s or supplier’s Internet Web site where a response to the plan’s posting may be found. A health care service plan and a provider or supplier shall not be precluded from mutually agreeing in writing to an alternative method to convey a provider’s or supplier’s response.

(g) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Consumers” means enrollees or subscribers of the health care service plan or beneficiaries of a self-funded health coverage arrangement administered by the health care service plan or other persons entitled to access services through a network established by the health care service plan.

(2) “Provider” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 1367.50.

(3) “Purchasers” means the sponsors of a self-funded health coverage arrangement administered by the health care service plan.

(4) “Supplier” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 1367.50.

(h) Section 1390 shall not apply for purposes of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 83, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.5.  

No health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on and after January 1, 2002, shall contain a provision that prohibits or restricts any health facilities’ compliance with the requirements of Section 1262.5.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 691, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2002.)

1367.50.  

(a) No contract in existence or issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2013, between a health care service plan and a provider or a supplier shall prohibit, condition, or in any way restrict the disclosure of claims data related to health care services provided to an enrollee or subscriber of the health care service plan or beneficiaries of any self-funded health coverage arrangement administered by the health care service plan, to a qualified entity, as defined in Section 1395kk(e)(2) of Title 42 of the United States Code. All disclosures of data made under this section shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws for the protection of the privacy and security of the data, including, but not limited to, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191) and the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Title XIII of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), and implementing regulations.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152).

(2) “Provider” means a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, a home health agency, a hospice, a clinic, or a rehabilitation agency.

(3) “Supplier” means a physician and surgeon or other health care practitioner, or an entity that furnishes health care services other than a provider.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 869, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2013.)

1367.51.  

(a)  Every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2000, and that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses shall include coverage for the following equipment and supplies for the management and treatment of insulin-using diabetes, non-insulin-using diabetes, and gestational diabetes as medically necessary, even if the items are available without a prescription:

(1)  Blood glucose monitors and blood glucose testing strips.

(2)  Blood glucose monitors designed to assist the visually impaired.

(3)  Insulin pumps and all related necessary supplies.

(4)  Ketone urine testing strips.

(5)  Lancets and lancet puncture devices.

(6)  Pen delivery systems for the administration of insulin.

(7)  Podiatric devices to prevent or treat diabetes-related complications.

(8)  Insulin syringes.

(9)  Visual aids, excluding eyewear, to assist the visually impaired with proper dosing of insulin.

(b)  Every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2000, that covers prescription benefits shall include coverage for the following prescription items if the items are determined to be medically necessary:

(1)  Insulin.

(2)  Prescriptive medications for the treatment of diabetes.

(3)  Glucagon.

(c)  The copayments and deductibles for the benefits specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall not exceed those established for similar benefits within the given plan.

(d)  Every plan shall provide coverage for diabetes outpatient self-management training, education, and medical nutrition therapy necessary to enable an enrollee to properly use the equipment, supplies, and medications set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b), and additional diabetes outpatient self-management training, education, and medical nutrition therapy upon the direction or prescription of those services by the enrollee’s participating physician. If a plan delegates outpatient self-management training to contracting providers, the plan shall require contracting providers to ensure that diabetes outpatient self-management training, education, and medical nutrition therapy are provided by appropriately licensed or registered health care professionals.

(e)  The diabetes outpatient self-management training, education, and medical nutrition therapy services identified in subdivision (d) shall be provided by appropriately licensed or registered health care professionals as prescribed by a participating health care professional legally authorized to prescribe the service. These benefits shall include, but not be limited to, instruction that will enable diabetic patients and their families to gain an understanding of the diabetic disease process, and the daily management of diabetic therapy, in order to thereby avoid frequent hospitalizations and complications.

(f)  The copayments for the benefits specified in subdivision (d) shall not exceed those established for physician office visits by the plan.

(g)  Every health care service plan governed by this section shall disclose the benefits covered pursuant to this section in the plan’s evidence of coverage and disclosure forms.

(h)  A health care service plan may not reduce or eliminate coverage as a result of the requirements of this section.

(i)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict in any way the department’s authority to ensure plan compliance with this chapter when a plan provides coverage for prescription drugs.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 791, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1367.54.  

(a) Every group health care service plan contract that provides maternity benefits, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 1999, and every individual health care service plan contract of a type and form first offered for sale on or after January 1, 1999, that provides maternity benefits, except a specialized health care service plan contract, shall provide coverage for participation in the California Prenatal Screening Program, which is a statewide prenatal testing program administered by the State Department of Public Health, pursuant to Section 124977. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a health care service plan that provides maternity benefits shall not require participation in the statewide prenatal testing program administered by the State Department of Public Health as a prerequisite to eligibility for, or receipt of, any other service.

(b) Coverage required by this section shall not be subject to copayment, coinsurance, deductible, or any other form of cost sharing.

(c) Reimbursement for services covered pursuant to this section shall be paid at the amount set pursuant to Section 124977 and regulations adopted thereunder.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 18, Sec. 7. Effective June 24, 2015.)

1367.6.  

(a) Every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2000, shall provide coverage for screening for, diagnosis of, and treatment for, breast cancer.

(b) No health care service plan contract shall deny enrollment or coverage to an individual solely due to a family history of breast cancer, or who has had one or more diagnostic procedures for breast disease but has not developed or been diagnosed with breast cancer.

(c) Every health care service plan contract shall cover screening and diagnosis of breast cancer, consistent with generally accepted medical practice and scientific evidence, upon the referral of the enrollee’s participating physician.

(d) Treatment for breast cancer under this section shall include coverage for prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgery to restore and achieve symmetry for the patient incident to a mastectomy. Coverage for prosthetic devices and reconstructive surgery shall be subject to the copayment, or deductible and coinsurance conditions, that are applicable to the mastectomy and all other terms and conditions applicable to other benefits.

(e) As used in this section, “mastectomy” means the removal of all or part of the breast for medically necessary reasons, as determined by a licensed physician and surgeon. Partial removal of a breast includes, but is not limited to, lumpectomy, which includes surgical removal of the tumor with clear margins.

(f) As used in this section, “prosthetic devices” means the provision of initial and subsequent devices pursuant to an order of the patient’s physician and surgeon.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 449, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2013.)

1367.61.  

Every health care service plan contract which provides for the surgical procedure known as a laryngectomy and which is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1993, shall include coverage for prosthetic devices to restore a method of speaking for the patient incident to the laryngectomy.

Coverage for prosthetic devices shall be subject to the deductible and coinsurance conditions applied to the laryngectomy and all other terms and conditions applicable to other benefits. As used in this section, “laryngectomy” means the removal of all or part of the larynx for medically necessary reasons, as determined by a licensed physician and surgeon.

Any provision in any contract issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1993, which is in conflict with this section shall be of no force or effect.

As used in this section, “prosthetic devices” means and includes the provision of initial and subsequent prosthetic devices, including installation accessories, pursuant to an order of the patient’s physician and surgeon. “Prosthetic devices” does not include electronic voice producing machines.

(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 808, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)

1367.62.  

(a)  No health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after the effective date of the act adding this section, that provides maternity coverage, shall do any of the following:

(1)  Restrict benefits for inpatient hospital care to a time period less than 48 hours following a normal vaginal delivery and less than 96 hours following a delivery by caesarean section. However, coverage for inpatient hospital care may be for a time period less than 48 or 96 hours if both of the following conditions are met:

(A)  The decision to discharge the mother and newborn before the 48- or 96-hour time period is made by the treating physicians in consultation with the mother.

(B)  The contract covers a postdischarge followup visit for the mother and newborn within 48 hours of discharge, when prescribed by the treating physician. The visit shall be provided by a licensed health care provider whose scope of practice includes postpartum care and newborn care. The visit shall include, at a minimum, parent education, assistance and training in breast or bottle feeding, and the performance of any necessary maternal or neonatal physical assessments. The treating physician shall disclose to the mother the availability of a postdischarge visit, including an in-home visit, physician office visit, or plan facility visit. The treating physician, in consultation with the mother, shall determine whether the postdischarge visit shall occur at home, the plan’s facility, or the treating physician’s office after assessment of certain factors. These factors shall include, but not be limited to, the transportation needs of the family, and environmental and social risks.

(2)  Reduce or limit the reimbursement of the attending provider for providing care to an individual enrollee in accordance with the coverage requirements.

(3)  Provide monetary or other incentives to an attending provider to induce the provider to provide care to an individual enrollee in a manner inconsistent with the coverage requirements.

(4)  Deny a mother or her newborn eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage solely to avoid the coverage requirements.

(5)  Provide monetary payments or rebates to a mother to encourage her to accept less than the minimum coverage requirements.

(6)  Restrict inpatient benefits for the second day of hospital care in a manner that is less than favorable to the mother or her newborn than those provided during the preceding portion of the hospital stay.

(7)  Require the treating physician to obtain authorization from the health care service plan prior to prescribing any services covered by this section.

(b)  (1)  Every health care service plan shall include notice of the coverage specified in subdivision (a) in the plan’s evidence of coverage for evidences of coverage issued on or after January 1, 1998, and except as specified in paragraph (2), shall provide additional written notice of this coverage during the course of the enrollee’s prenatal care. The contract may require the treating physician or the enrollee’s medical group to provide this additional written notice of coverage during the course of the enrollee’s prenatal care.

(2)  Health care service plans that issue contracts that provide for coverage of the type commonly referred to as “preferred provider organizations” shall provide additional written notice to all females between the ages of 10 and 50 who are covered by those contracts of the coverage under subdivision (a) within 60 days of the effective date of this act. The plan shall provide additional written notice of the coverage specified in subdivision (a) during the course of prenatal care if both of the following conditions are met:

(A)  The plan previously notified subscribers that hospital stays for delivery would be inconsistent with the requirement in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(B)  The plan received notice, whether by receipt of a claim, a request for preauthorization for pregnancy-related services, or other actual notice that the enrollee is pregnant.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a plan from negotiating the level and type of reimbursement with a provider for care provided in accordance with this section.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 798, Sec. 1. Effective October 9, 1997.)

1367.63.  

(a) Every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered in this state on or after July 1, 1999, shall cover reconstructive surgery, as defined in subdivision (c), that is necessary to achieve the purposes specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a plan to provide coverage for cosmetic surgery, as defined in subdivision (d).

(b) No individual, other than a licensed physician competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the care requested, may deny initial requests for authorization of coverage for treatment pursuant to this section. For a treatment authorization request submitted by a podiatrist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the request may be reviewed by a similarly licensed individual, competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the care requested.

(c) (1) “Reconstructive surgery” means surgery performed to correct or repair abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease to do either of the following:

(A) To improve function.

(B) To create a normal appearance, to the extent possible.

(2) As of July 1, 2010, “reconstructive surgery” shall include medically necessary dental or orthodontic services that are an integral part of reconstructive surgery, as defined in paragraph (1), for cleft palate procedures.

(3) For purposes of this section, “cleft palate” means a condition that may include cleft palate, cleft lip, or other craniofacial anomalies associated with cleft palate.

(d) “Cosmetic surgery” means surgery that is performed to alter or reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance.

(e) In interpreting the definition of reconstructive surgery, a health care service plan may utilize prior authorization and utilization review that may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following:

(1) Denial of the proposed surgery if there is another more appropriate surgical procedure that will be approved for the enrollee.

(2) Denial of the proposed surgery or surgeries if the procedure or procedures, in accordance with the standard of care as practiced by physicians specializing in reconstructive surgery, offer only a minimal improvement in the appearance of the enrollee.

(3) Denial of payment for procedures performed without prior authorization.

(4) For services provided under the Medi-Cal program (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code), denial of the proposed surgery if the procedure offers only a minimal improvement in the appearance of the enrollee, as may be defined in any regulations that may be promulgated by the State Department of Health Care Services.

(f) As applied to services described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) only, this section shall not apply to Medi-Cal managed care plans that contract with the State Department of Health Care Services pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of, or Chapter 8.75 (commencing with Section 14591) of, Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, where such contracts do not provide coverage for California Children’s Services (CCS) or dental services.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 367, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1367.635.  

(a) Every health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 1999, that provides coverage for surgical procedures known as mastectomies and lymph node dissections, shall do all of the following:

(1) Allow the length of a hospital stay associated with those procedures to be determined by the attending physician and surgeon in consultation with the patient, postsurgery, consistent with sound clinical principles and processes. No health care service plan shall require a treating physician and surgeon to receive prior approval from the plan in determining the length of hospital stay following those procedures.

(2) Cover prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgery, including devices or surgery to restore and achieve symmetry for the patient incident to the mastectomy. Coverage for prosthetic devices and reconstructive surgery shall be subject to the deductible and coinsurance conditions applicable to other benefits.

(3) Cover all complications from a mastectomy, including lymphedema.

(b) As used in this section, all of the following definitions apply:

(1) “Coverage for prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgery” means any initial and subsequent reconstructive surgeries or prosthetic devices, and followup care deemed necessary by the attending physician and surgeon.

(2) “Prosthetic devices” means and includes the provision of initial and subsequent prosthetic devices pursuant to an order of the patient’s physician and surgeon.

(3) “Mastectomy” means the removal of all or part of the breast for medically necessary reasons, as determined by a licensed physician and surgeon. Partial removal of a breast includes, but is not limited to, lumpectomy, which includes surgical removal of the tumor with clear margins.

(4) “To restore and achieve symmetry” means that, in addition to coverage of prosthetic devices and reconstructive surgery for the diseased breast on which the mastectomy was performed, prosthetic devices and reconstructive surgery for a healthy breast is also covered if, in the opinion of the attending physician and surgeon, this surgery is necessary to achieve normal symmetrical appearance.

(c) No individual, other than a licensed physician and surgeon competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the care requested, may deny requests for authorization of health care services pursuant to this section.

(d) No health care service plan shall do any of the following in providing the coverage described in subdivision (a):

(1) Reduce or limit the reimbursement of the attending provider for providing care to an individual enrollee or subscriber in accordance with the coverage requirements.

(2) Provide monetary or other incentives to an attending provider to induce the provider to provide care to an individual enrollee or subscriber in a manner inconsistent with the coverage requirements.

(3) Provide monetary payments or rebates to an individual enrollee or subscriber to encourage acceptance of less than the coverage requirements.

(e) On or after July 1, 1999, every health care service plan shall include notice of the coverage required by this section in the plan’s evidence of coverage.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit retrospective utilization review and quality assurance activities by the plan.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 449, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2013.)

1367.64.  

(a)  Every individual or group health care service plan contract, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 1999, shall be deemed to provide coverage for the screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer, including, but not limited to, prostate-specific antigen testing and digital rectal examinations, when medically necessary and consistent with good professional practice.

(b)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to establish a new mandated benefit or to prevent application of deductible or copayment provisions in a policy or plan, nor shall this section be construed to require that a policy or plan be extended to cover any other procedures under an individual or a group health care service plan contract. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an enrollee to receive the services required to be covered by this section if those services are furnished by a nonparticipating provider, unless the enrollee is referred to that provider by a participating physician or nurse practitioner providing care.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 839, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

1367.65.  

(a) On or after January 1, 2000, each health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed shall be deemed to provide coverage for mammography for screening or diagnostic purposes upon referral by a participating nurse practitioner, participating certified nurse-midwife, participating physician assistant, or participating physician, providing care to the patient and operating within the scope of practice provided under existing law.

(b) This section does not prevent application of copayment or deductible provisions in a plan, nor shall this section be construed to require that a plan be extended to cover any other procedures under an individual or a group health care service plan contract. This section does not authorize a plan enrollee to receive the services required to be covered by this section if those services are furnished by a nonparticipating provider, unless the plan enrollee is referred to that provider by a participating physician, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse-midwife providing care.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 76, Sec. 108. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1367.656.  

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, an individual or group health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, that provides coverage for prescribed, orally administered anticancer medications used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells shall comply with all of the following:

(1) Notwithstanding any deductible, the total amount of copayments and coinsurance an enrollee is required to pay shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200) for an individual prescription of up to a 30-day supply of a prescribed orally administered anticancer medication covered by the contract.

(2) For a health care service plan contract that meets the definition of a “high deductible health plan” set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, paragraph (1) shall only apply once an enrollee’s deductible has been satisfied for the year.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any coverage under a health care service plan contract for the Medicare Program pursuant to Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395 et seq.).

(4) On January 1, 2016, and on January 1 of each year thereafter, health care service plans may adjust the two hundred dollar ($200) limit described in paragraph (1). The adjustment shall not exceed the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for that year.

(5) A prescription for an orally administered anticancer medication shall be provided consistent with the appropriate standard of care for that medication.

(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 661, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2014. Repealed as of January 1 2019, by its own provisions.)

1367.66.  

Every individual or group health care service plan contract, except for a specialized health care service plan, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2002, and that includes coverage for treatment or surgery of cervical cancer shall also be deemed to provide coverage for an annual cervical cancer screening test upon the referral of the patient’s physician and surgeon, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse midwife, providing care to the patient and operating within the scope of practice otherwise permitted for the licensee.

The coverage for an annual cervical cancer screening test provided pursuant to this section shall include the conventional Pap test, a human papillomavirus screening test that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, and the option of any cervical cancer screening test approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, upon the referral of the patient’s health care provider.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to establish a new mandated benefit or to prevent application of deductible or copayment provisions in an existing plan contract. The Legislature intends in this section to provide that cervical cancer screening services are deemed to be covered if the plan contract includes coverage for cervical cancer treatment or surgery.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 328, Sec. 119. Effective January 1, 2011.)

1367.665.  

Every individual or group health care service plan contract, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after July 1, 2000, shall be deemed to provide coverage for all generally medically accepted cancer screening tests, subject to all terms and conditions that would otherwise apply.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 543, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

1367.67.  

Every health care service plan contract that provides hospital, medical, or surgical coverage, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1994, shall be deemed to include coverage for services related to diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate management of osteoporosis. The services may include, but need not be limited to, all Food and Drug Administration approved technologies, including bone mass measurement technologies as deemed medically appropriate.

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1208, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1994.)

1367.68.  

(a)  Any provision in a health care service plan contract entered into, amended, or renewed in this state on or after July 1, 1995, that excludes coverage for any surgical procedure for any condition directly affecting the upper or lower jawbone, or associated bone joints, shall have no force or effect as to any enrollee if that provision results in any failure to provide medically-necessary basic health care services to the enrollee pursuant to the plan’s definition of medical necessity.

(b)  For purposes of this section, “plan contract” means every plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a plan from excluding coverage for dental services provided that any exclusion does not result in any failure to provide medically-necessary basic health care services.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1282, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)

1367.69.  

(a)  On or after January 1, 1995, every health care service plan contract that provides hospital, medical, or surgical coverage, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state, shall include obstetrician-gynecologists as eligible primary care physicians, provided they meet the plan’s eligibility criteria for all specialists seeking primary care physician status.

(b)  For purposes of this section, the term “primary care physician” means a physician, as defined in Section 14254 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, who has the responsibility for providing initial and primary care to patients, for maintaining the continuity of patient care, and for initiating referral for specialist care. This means providing care for the majority of health care problems, including, but not limited to, preventive services, acute and chronic conditions, and psychosocial issues.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 759, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.)

1367.695.  

(a)  The Legislature finds and declares that the unique, private, and personal relationship between women patients and their obstetricians and gynecologists warrants direct access to obstetrical and gynecological physician services.

(b)  Commencing January 1, 1999, every health care service plan contract issued, amended, renewed, or delivered in this state, except a specialized health care service plan, shall allow an enrollee the option to seek obstetrical and gynecological physician services directly from a participating obstetrician and gynecologist or directly from a participating family practice physician and surgeon designated by the plan as providing obstetrical and gynecological services.

(c)  In implementing this section, a health care service plan may establish reasonable provisions governing utilization protocols and the use of obstetricians and gynecologists, or family practice physicians and surgeons, as provided for in subdivision (b), participating in the plan network, medical group, or independent practice association, provided that these provisions shall be consistent with the intent of this section and shall be those customarily applied to other physicians and surgeons, such as primary care physicians and surgeons, to whom the enrollee has direct access, and shall not be more restrictive for the provision of obstetrical and gynecological physician services. An enrollee shall not be required to obtain prior approval from another physician, another provider, or the health care service plan prior to obtaining direct access to obstetrical and gynecological physician services, but the plan may establish reasonable requirements for the participating obstetrician and gynecologist or family practice physician and surgeon, as provided for in subdivision (b), to communicate with the enrollee’s primary care physician and surgeon regarding the enrollee’s condition, treatment, and any need for followup care.

(d)  This section shall not be construed to diminish the provisions of Section 1367.69.

(e)  The Department of Managed Health Care shall report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2000, on the implementation of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 857, Sec. 33. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1367.7.  

On and after January 1, 1980, every health care service plan contract that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis, and which offers maternity coverage in such groups, shall also offer coverage for prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders of the fetus by means of diagnostic procedures in cases of high-risk pregnancy. Every health care service plan shall communicate the availability of such coverage to all group contract holders and to all groups with whom they are negotiating.

(Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 629.)

1367.71.  

(a)  Every health care service plan contract, other than a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2000, shall be deemed to cover general anesthesia and associated facility charges for dental procedures rendered in a hospital or surgery center setting, when the clinical status or underlying medical condition of the patient requires dental procedures that ordinarily would not require general anesthesia to be rendered in a hospital or surgery center setting. The health care service plan may require prior authorization of general anesthesia and associated charges required for dental care procedures in the same manner that prior authorization is required for other covered diseases or conditions.

(b)  This section shall apply only to general anesthesia and associated facility charges for only the following enrollees, and only if the enrollees meet the criteria in subdivision (a):

(1)  Enrollees who are under seven years of age.

(2)  Enrollees who are developmentally disabled, regardless of age.

(3)  Enrollees whose health is compromised and for whom general anesthesia is medically necessary, regardless of age.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall require the health care service plan to cover any charges for the dental procedure itself, including, but not limited to, the professional fee of the dentist. Coverage for anesthesia and associated facility charges pursuant to this section shall be subject to all other terms and conditions of the plan that apply generally to other benefits.

(d)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a health care service plan to deny coverage for basic health care services, as defined in Section 1345.

(e)  A health care service plan may include coverage specified in subdivision (a) at any time prior to January 1, 2000.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 790, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

1367.8.  

No plan issuing, providing, or administering any individual or group health care service plan entered into, amended, or issued on or after January 1, 1981, shall refuse to cover, or refuse to continue to cover, or limit the amount, extent or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charge a different rate for the same coverage solely because of a physical or mental impairment, except where the refusal, limitation or rate differential is based on sound actuarial principles applied to actual experience, or, if insufficient actual experience is available, then to sound underwriting practices.

This section shall not apply to a health maintenance organization qualified pursuant to Title XIII of the federal Public Health Service Act if such organization gives public notice 30 days in advance, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the area served by the health maintenance organization, of its open enrollment period required by such act.

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 352.)

1367.9.  

No health care service plan contract which covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses shall be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1981, if it contains any exclusion, reduction, or other limitations, as to coverage, deductibles, or coinsurance or copayment provisions applicable solely to conditions attributable to diethylstilbestrol or exposure to diethylstilbestrol.

Any provision in any contract issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1981, which is in conflict with this section shall be of no force or effect.

(Added by renumbering Section 1367.8 (as added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 776) by Stats. 1981, Ch. 714.)

1367.10.  

(a) Every health care service plan shall include within its disclosure form and within its evidence of coverage a statement clearly describing how participation in the plan may affect the choice of physician, hospital, or other health care providers, the basic method of reimbursement, including the scope and general methods of payment made to its contracting providers of health care services, and whether financial bonuses or any other incentives are used. The disclosure form and evidence of coverage shall indicate that if an enrollee wishes to know more about these issues, the enrollee may request additional information from the health care service plan, the enrollee’s provider, or the provider’s medical group or independent practice association regarding the information required pursuant to subdivision (b).

(b) If a plan, medical group, independent practice association, or participating health care provider uses or receives financial bonuses or any other incentives, the plan, medical group, independent practice association, or health care provider shall provide a written summary to any person who requests it that includes all of the following:

(1) A general description of the bonus and any other incentive arrangements used in its compensation agreements. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, such as payment rates, as determined by the director, pursuant to state law.

(2) A description regarding whether, and in what manner, the bonuses and any other incentives are related to a provider’s use of referral services.

(c) The statements and written information provided pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be communicated in clear and simple language that enables consumers to evaluate and compare health care service plans.

(d) The plan shall clearly inform prospective enrollees that participation in that plan will affect the person’s choice of provider by placing the following statement in a conspicuous place on all material required to be given to prospective enrollees including promotional and descriptive material, disclosure forms, and certificates and evidences of coverage:

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SO YOU WILL KNOW FROM WHOM OR WHAT GROUP OF PROVIDERS HEALTH CARE MAY BE OBTAINED

It is not the intent of this section to require that the names of individual health care providers be enumerated to prospective enrollees.

If the health care service plan provides a list of providers to patients or contracting providers, the plan shall include within the provider listing a notification that enrollees may contact the plan in order to obtain a list of the facilities with which the health care service plan is contracting for subacute care and/or transitional inpatient care.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 99. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)

1367.11.  

(a)  Every health care service plan issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 1987, that offers coverage for medical transportation services, shall contain a provision providing for direct reimbursement to any provider of covered medical transportation services if the provider has not received payment for those services from any other source.

(b)  Subdivision (a) shall not apply to any transaction between a provider of medical transportation services and a health care service plan if the parties have entered into a contract providing for direct payment.

(c)  For purposes of this subdivision, “direct reimbursement” means the following:

The enrollee shall file a claim for the medical transportation service with the plan; the plan shall pay the medical transportation provider directly; and the medical transportation provider shall not demand payment from the enrollee until having received payment from the plan, at which time the medical transportation provider may demand payment from the enrollee for any unpaid portion of the provider’s fee.

(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 930, Sec. 1.)

1367.12.  

No health care service plan that administers Medicare coverage and federal employee programs may require that more than one form be submitted per claim in order to receive payment or reimbursement under any or all of those policies or programs.

(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1191, Sec. 1.)

1367.15.  

(a) This section shall apply to individual health care service plan contracts and plan contracts sold to employer groups with fewer than two eligible employees as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1357 covering hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, which is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 1994.

(b) As used in this section, “block of business” means individual plan contracts or plan contracts sold to employer groups with fewer than two eligible employees as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1357, with distinct benefits, services, and terms. A “closed block of business” means a block of business for which a health care service plan ceases to actively offer or sell new plan contracts.

(c) No block of business shall be closed by a health care service plan unless (1) the plan permits an enrollee to receive health care services from any block of business that is not closed and that provides comparable benefits, services, and terms, with no additional underwriting requirement, or (2) the plan pools the experience of the closed block of business with all appropriate blocks of business that are not closed for the purpose of determining the premium rate of any plan contract within the closed block, with no rate penalty or surcharge beyond that which reflects the experience of the combined pool.

(d) A block of business shall be presumed closed if either of the following is applicable:

(1) There has been an overall reduction in that block of 12 percent in the number of in force plan contracts for a period of 12 months.

(2) That block has less than 1,000 enrollees in this state. This presumption shall not apply to a block of business initiated within the previous 24 months, but notification of that block shall be provided to the director pursuant to subdivision (e).

The fact that a block of business does not meet one of the presumptions set forth in this subdivision shall not preclude a determination that it is closed as defined in subdivision (b).

(e) A health care service plan shall notify the director in writing within 30 days of its decision to close a block of business or, in the absence of an actual decision to close a block of business, within 30 days of its determination that a block of business is within the presumption set forth in subdivision (d). When the plan decides to close a block, the written notice shall fully disclose all information necessary to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of subdivision (c). When the plan determines that a block is within the presumption, the written notice shall fully disclose all information necessary to demonstrate that the presumption is applicable. In the case of either notice, the plan shall provide additional information within 15 days after any request of the director.

(f) A health care service plan shall preserve for a period of not less than five years in an identified location and readily accessible for review by the director all books and records relating to any action taken by a plan pursuant to subdivision (c).

(g) No health care service plan shall offer or sell any contract, or provide misleading information about the active or closed status of a block of business, for the purpose of evading this section.

(h) A health care service plan shall bring any blocks of business closed prior to the effective date of this section into compliance with the terms of this section no later than December 31, 1994.

(i) This section shall not apply to health care service plan contracts providing small employer health coverage to individuals or employer groups with fewer than two eligible employees if that coverage is provided pursuant to Article 3.1 (commencing with Section 1357) and, with specific reference to coverage for individuals or employer groups with fewer than two eligible employees, is approved by the director pursuant to Section 1357.15, provided a plan electing to sell coverage pursuant to this subdivision shall do so until such time as the plan ceases to market coverage to small employers and complies with paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 1365.

(j) This section shall not apply to coverage of Medicare services pursuant to contracts with the United States government, Medicare supplement, dental, vision, or conversion coverage.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 658, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2011.)

1367.18.  

(a) Every health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall offer coverage for orthotic and prosthetic devices and services under the terms and conditions that may be agreed upon between the group subscriber and the plan. Every plan shall communicate the availability of that coverage to all group contractholders and to all prospective group contractholders with whom they are negotiating. Any coverage for prosthetic devices shall include original and replacement devices, as prescribed by a physician and surgeon or doctor of podiatric medicine acting within the scope of his or her license. Any coverage for orthotic devices shall provide for coverage when the device, including original and replacement devices, is prescribed by a physician and surgeon or doctor of podiatric medicine acting within the scope of his or her license, or is ordered by a licensed health care provider acting within the scope of his or her license. Every plan shall have the right to conduct a utilization review to determine medical necessity prior to authorizing these services.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), on and after July 1, 2007, the amount of the benefit for orthotic and prosthetic devices and services shall be no less than the annual and lifetime benefit maximums applicable to the basic health care services required to be provided under Section 1367. If the contract does not include any annual or lifetime benefit maximums applicable to basic health care services, the amount of the benefit for orthotic and prosthetic devices and services shall not be subject to an annual or lifetime maximum benefit level. Any copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and maximum out-of-pocket amount applied to the benefit for orthotic and prosthetic devices and services shall be no more than the most common amounts applied to the basic health care services required to be provided under Section 1367.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 756, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)

1367.19.  

On and after January 1, 1991, every health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall offer coverage as an option for special footwear needed by persons who suffer from foot disfigurement under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the group contract holder and the plan.

As used in this section, foot disfigurement shall include, but not be limited to, disfigurement from cerebral palsy, arthritis, polio, spinabifida, diabetes, and foot disfigurement caused by accident or developmental disability.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1680, Sec. 1.)

1367.20.  

Every health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits and maintains one or more drug formularies shall provide to members of the public, upon request, a copy of the most current list of prescription drugs on the formulary of the plan by major therapeutic category, with an indication of whether any drugs on the list are preferred over other listed drugs. If the health care service plan maintains more than one formulary, the plan shall notify the requester that a choice of formulary lists is available.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 68, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1999. See identical section added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 69.)

1367.20.  

Every health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits and maintains one or more drug formularies shall provide to members of the public, upon request, a copy of the most current list of prescription drugs on the formulary of the plan by major therapeutic category, with an indication of whether any drugs on the list are preferred over other listed drugs. If the health care service plan maintains more than one formulary, the plan shall notify the requester that a choice of formulary lists is available.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 69, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

1367.205.  

(a) In addition to the list required to be provided under Section 1367.20, a health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits and maintains one or more drug formularies shall do all of the following:

(1) Post the formulary or formularies for each product offered by the plan on the plan’s Internet Web site in a manner that is accessible and searchable by potential enrollees, enrollees, and providers.

(2) Update the formularies posted pursuant to paragraph (1) with any change to those formularies on a monthly basis.

(3) No later than six months after the date that a standard formulary template is developed under subdivision (b), use that template to display the formulary or formularies for each product offered by the plan.

(b) (1) By January 1, 2017, the department and the Department of Insurance shall jointly, and with input from interested parties from at least one public meeting, develop a standard formulary template for purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a). In developing the template, the department and Department of Insurance shall take into consideration existing requirements for reporting of formulary information established by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. To the extent feasible, in developing the template, the department and the Department of Insurance shall evaluate a way to include on the template, in addition to the information required to be included under paragraph (2), cost-sharing information for drugs subject to coinsurance.

(2) The standard formulary template shall include the notification described in subdivision (c) of Section 1363.01, and as applied to a particular formulary for a product offered by a plan, shall do all of the following:

(A) Include information on cost-sharing tiers and utilization controls, including prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for each drug covered by the product.

(B) Indicate any drugs on the formulary that are preferred over other drugs on the formulary.

(C) Include information to educate enrollees about the differences between drugs administered or provided under a health care service plan’s medical benefit and drugs prescribed under a health care service plan’s prescription drug benefit and about how to obtain coverage information regarding drugs that are not covered under the plan’s prescription drug benefit.

(D) Include information to educate enrollees that health care service plans that provide prescription drug benefits are required to have a method for enrollees to obtain prescription drugs not listed in the health plan drug formulary if the drugs are deemed medically necessary by a clinician pursuant to Section 1367.24.

(c) For purposes of this section, “formulary” means the complete list of drugs preferred for use and eligible for coverage under a health care service plan product and includes the drugs covered under the pharmacy benefit of the product.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 575, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.21.  

(a) No health care service plan contract which covers prescription drug benefits shall be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state if the plan limits or excludes coverage for a drug on the basis that the drug is prescribed for a use that is different from the use for which that drug has been approved for marketing by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provided that all of the following conditions have been met:

(1) The drug is approved by the FDA.

(2) (A) The drug is prescribed by a participating licensed health care professional for the treatment of a life-threatening condition; or

(B) The drug is prescribed by a participating licensed health care professional for the treatment of a chronic and seriously debilitating condition, the drug is medically necessary to treat that condition, and the drug is on the plan formulary. If the drug is not on the plan formulary, the participating subscriber’s request shall be considered pursuant to the process required by Section 1367.24.

(3) The drug has been recognized for treatment of that condition by any of the following:

(A) The American Hospital Formulary Service’s Drug Information.

(B) One of the following compendia, if recognized by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen:

(i) The Elsevier Gold Standard’s Clinical Pharmacology.

(ii) The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Drug and Biologics Compendium.

(iii) The Thomson Micromedex DrugDex.

(C) Two articles from major peer reviewed medical journals that present data supporting the proposed off-label use or uses as generally safe and effective unless there is clear and convincing contradictory evidence presented in a major peer reviewed medical journal.

(b) It shall be the responsibility of the participating prescriber to submit to the plan documentation supporting compliance with the requirements of subdivision (a), if requested by the plan.

(c) Any coverage required by this section shall also include medically necessary services associated with the administration of a drug, subject to the conditions of the contract.

(d) For purposes of this section, “life-threatening” means either or both of the following:

(1) Diseases or conditions where the likelihood of death is high unless the course of the disease is interrupted.

(2) Diseases or conditions with potentially fatal outcomes, where the end point of clinical intervention is survival.

(e) For purposes of this section, “chronic and seriously debilitating” means diseases or conditions that require ongoing treatment to maintain remission or prevent deterioration and cause significant long-term morbidity.

(f) The provision of drugs and services when required by this section shall not, in itself, give rise to liability on the part of the plan.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of a formulary, copayment, technology assessment panel, or similar mechanism as a means for appropriately controlling the utilization of a drug that is prescribed for a use that is different from the use for which that drug has been approved for marketing by the FDA.

(h) If a plan denies coverage pursuant to this section on the basis that its use is experimental or investigational, that decision is subject to review under Section 1370.4.

(i) Health care service plan contracts for the delivery of Medi-Cal services under the Waxman-Duffy Prepaid Health Plan Act (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) are exempt from the requirements of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 479, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2010.)

1367.215.  

(a)  Every health care service plan contract that covers prescription drug benefits shall provide coverage for appropriately prescribed pain management medications for terminally ill patients when medically necessary. The plan shall approve or deny the request by the provider for authorization of coverage for an enrollee who has been determined to be terminally ill in a timely fashion, appropriate for the nature of the enrollee’s condition, not to exceed 72 hours of the plan’s receipt of the information requested by the plan to make the decision. If the request is denied or if additional information is required, the plan shall contact the provider within one working day of the determination, with an explanation of the reason for the denial or the need for additional information. The requested treatment shall be deemed authorized as of the expiration of the applicable timeframe. The provider shall contact the plan within one business day of proceeding with the deemed authorized treatment, to do all of the following:

(1)  Confirm that the timeframe has expired.

(2)  Provide enrollee identification.

(3)  Notify the plan of the provider or providers performing the treatment.

(4)  Notify the plan of the facility or location where the treatment was rendered.

(b)  This section does not apply to coverage for any drug that is prescribed for a use that is different from the use for which that drug has been approved for marketing by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Coverage for different-use drugs is subject to Section 1367.21.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict in any way the department’s authority to ensure plan compliance with this chapter when a plan provides coverage for prescription drugs.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 791, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1367.22.  

(a)  A health care service plan contract, issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 1999, that covers prescription drug benefits shall not limit or exclude coverage for a drug for an enrollee if the drug previously had been approved for coverage by the plan for a medical condition of the enrollee and the plan’s prescribing provider continues to prescribe the drug for the medical condition, provided that the drug is appropriately prescribed and is considered safe and effective for treating the enrollee’s medical condition. Nothing in this section shall preclude the prescribing provider from prescribing another drug covered by the plan that is medically appropriate for the enrollee, nor shall anything in this section be construed to prohibit generic drug substitutions as authorized by Section 4073 of the Business and Professions Code. For purposes of this section, a prescribing provider shall include a provider authorized to write a prescription, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4059 of the Business and Professions Code, to treat a medical condition of an enrollee.

(b)  This section does not apply to coverage for any drug that is prescribed for a use that is different from the use for which that drug has been approved for marketing by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Coverage for different-use drugs is subject to Section 1367.21.

(c)  This section shall not be construed to restrict or impair the application of any other provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, Section 1367, which includes among its requirements that plans furnish services in a manner providing continuity of care and demonstrate that medical decisions are rendered by qualified medical providers unhindered by fiscal and administrative management.

(d)  This section does not prohibit a health care service plan from charging a subscriber or enrollee a copayment or a deductible for prescription drug benefits or from setting forth, by contract, limitations on maximum coverage of prescription drug benefits, provided that the copayments, deductibles, or limitations are reported to, and held unobjectionable by, the director and set forth to the subscriber or enrollee pursuant to the disclosure provisions of Section 1363.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 760, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1367.23.  

(a)  On and after January 1, 1994, every group health care service plan contract, which is issued, amended, or renewed, shall include a provision requiring the health care service plan to notify the group contractholders in writing of the cancellation of the plan contract and shall include in their contract with group contractholders a provision requiring the group contractholder to mail promptly to each subscriber a legible, true copy of any notice of cancellation of the plan contract which may be received from the plan and to provide promptly to the plan proof of that mailing and the date thereof.

(b)  The notice of cancellation from the group contractholder to the subscriber required by subdivision (a) shall include information regarding the conversion rights of persons covered under the plan contract upon termination of the plan contract. This information shall be in clear and easily understandable language.

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1154, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)

1367.24.  

(a)  Every health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits shall maintain an expeditious process by which prescribing providers may obtain authorization for a medically necessary nonformulary prescription drug. On or before July 1, 1999, every health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits shall file with the department a description of its process, including timelines, for responding to authorization requests for nonformulary drugs. Any changes to this process shall be filed with the department pursuant to Section 1352. Each plan shall provide a written description of its most current process, including timelines, to its prescribing providers. For purposes of this section, a prescribing provider shall include a provider authorized to write a prescription, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4040 of the Business and Professions Code, to treat a medical condition of an enrollee.

(b)  Any plan that disapproves a request made pursuant to subdivision (a) by a prescribing provider to obtain authorization for a nonformulary drug shall provide the reasons for the disapproval in a notice provided to the enrollee. The notice shall indicate that the enrollee may file a grievance with the plan if the enrollee objects to the disapproval, including any alternative drug or treatment offered by the plan. The notice shall comply with subdivision (b) of Section 1368.02.

(c)  The process described in subdivision (a) by which prescribing providers may obtain authorization for medically necessary nonformulary drugs shall not apply to a nonformulary drug that has been prescribed for an enrollee in conformance with the provisions of Section 1367.22.

(d)  The process described in subdivision (a) by which enrollees may obtain medically necessary nonformulary drugs, including specified timelines for responding to prescribing provider authorization requests, shall be described in evidence of coverage and disclosure forms, as required by subdivision (a) of Section 1363, issued on or after July 1, 1999.

(e)  Every health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits shall maintain, as part of its books and records under Section 1381, all of the following information, which shall be made available to the director upon request:

(1)  The complete drug formulary or formularies of the plan, if the plan maintains a formulary, including a list of the prescription drugs on the formulary of the plan by major therapeutic category with an indication of whether any drugs are preferred over other drugs.

(2)  Records developed by the pharmacy and therapeutic committee of the plan, or by others responsible for developing, modifying, and overseeing formularies, including medical groups, individual practice associations, and contracting pharmaceutical benefit management companies, used to guide the drugs prescribed for the enrollees of the plan, that fully describe the reasoning behind formulary decisions.

(3)  Any plan arrangements with prescribing providers, medical groups, individual practice associations, pharmacists, contracting pharmaceutical benefit management companies, or other entities that are associated with activities of the plan to encourage formulary compliance or otherwise manage prescription drug benefits.

(f)  If a plan provides prescription drug benefits, the department shall, as part of its periodic onsite medical survey of each plan undertaken pursuant to Section 1380, review the performance of the plan in providing those benefits, including, but not limited to, a review of the procedures and information maintained pursuant to this section, and describe the performance of the plan as part of its report issued pursuant to Section 1380.

(g)  The director shall not publicly disclose any information reviewed pursuant to this section that is determined by the director to be confidential pursuant to state law.

(h)  For purposes of this section, “authorization” means approval by the health care service plan to provide payment for the prescription drug.

(i)  Nonformulary prescription drugs shall include any drug for which an enrollee’s copayment or out-of-pocket costs are different than the copayment for a formulary prescription drug, except as otherwise provided by law or regulation or in cases in which the drug has been excluded in the plan contract pursuant to Section 1342.7.

(j)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or impair the application of any other provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, Section 1367, which includes among its requirements that a health care service plan furnish services in a manner providing continuity of care and demonstrate that medical decisions are rendered by qualified medical providers unhindered by fiscal and administrative management.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 791, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1367.241.  

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after January 1, 2013, a health care service plan that provides prescription drug benefits shall accept only the prior authorization form developed pursuant to subdivision (c) when requiring prior authorization for prescription drug benefits. This section does not apply in the event that a physician or physician group has been delegated the financial risk for prescription drugs by a health care service plan and does not use a prior authorization process. This section does not apply to a health care service plan, or to its affiliated providers, if the health care service plan owns and operates its pharmacies and does not use a prior authorization process for prescription drugs.

(b) If a health care service plan fails to utilize or accept the prior authorization form, or fails to respond within two business days upon receipt of a completed prior authorization request from a prescribing provider, pursuant to the submission of the prior authorization form developed as described in subdivision (c), the prior authorization request shall be deemed to have been granted. The requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to contracts entered into pursuant to Article 2.7 (commencing with Section 14087.3), Article 2.8 (commencing with Section 14087.5), Article 2.81 (commencing with Section 14087.96), or Article 2.91 (commencing with Section 14089) of Chapter 7 of, or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of, Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(c) On or before July 1, 2012, the department and the Department of Insurance shall jointly develop a uniform prior authorization form. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after January 1, 2013, or six months after the form is developed, whichever is later, every prescribing provider shall use that uniform prior authorization form to request prior authorization for coverage of prescription drug benefits and every health care service plan shall accept that form as sufficient to request prior authorization for prescription drug benefits.

(d) The prior authorization form developed pursuant to subdivision (c) shall meet the following criteria:

(1) The form shall not exceed two pages.

(2) The form shall be made electronically available by the department and the health care service plan.

(3) The completed form may also be electronically submitted from the prescribing provider to the health care service plan.

(4) The department and the Department of Insurance shall develop the form with input from interested parties from at least one public meeting.

(5) The department and the Department of Insurance, in development of the standardized form, shall take into consideration the following:

(A) Existing prior authorization forms established by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the State Department of Health Care Services.

(B) National standards pertaining to electronic prior authorization.

(e) For purposes of this section, a “prescribing provider” shall include a provider authorized to write a prescription, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4040 of the Business and Professions Code, to treat a medical condition of an enrollee.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 81. Effective January 1, 2013.)

1367.25.  

(a)  A group health care service plan contract, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2015, inclusive, and an individual health care service plan contract that is amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2015, inclusive, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, shall provide coverage for the following, under general terms and conditions applicable to all benefits:

(1)  A health care service plan contract that provides coverage for outpatient prescription drug benefits shall include coverage for a variety of federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription contraceptive methods designated by the plan. In the event the patient’s participating provider, acting within his or her scope of practice, determines that none of the methods designated by the plan is medically appropriate for the patient’s medical or personal history, the plan shall also provide coverage for another FDA approved, medically appropriate prescription contraceptive method prescribed by the patient’s provider.

(2)  Benefits for an enrollee under this subdivision shall be the same for an enrollee’s covered spouse and covered nonspouse dependents.

(b) (1) A health care service plan contract, except for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2016, shall provide coverage for all of the following services and contraceptive methods for women:

(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2), all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and other products for women, including all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products available over the counter, as prescribed by the enrollee’s provider.

(B) Voluntary sterilization procedures.

(C) Patient education and counseling on contraception.

(D) Followup services related to the drugs, devices, products, and procedures covered under this subdivision, including, but not limited to, management of side effects, counseling for continued adherence, and device insertion and removal.

(2) (A) Except for a grandfathered health plan, a health care service plan subject to this subdivision shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided pursuant to this subdivision. Cost sharing shall not be imposed on any Medi-Cal beneficiary.

(B) Where the FDA has approved one or more therapeutic equivalents of a contraceptive drug, device, or product, a health care service plan is not required to cover all of those therapeutically equivalent versions in accordance with this subdivision, as long as at least one is covered without cost sharing in accordance with this subdivision.

(C) If a covered therapeutic equivalent of a drug, device, or product is not available, or is deemed medically inadvisable by the enrollee’s provider, a health care service plan shall provide coverage, subject to a plan’s utilization management procedures, for the prescribed contraceptive drug, device, or product without cost sharing. Any request by a contracting provider shall be responded to by the health care service plan in compliance with the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, as set forth in this chapter and, as applicable, with the plan’s Medi-Cal managed care contract.

(3) Except as otherwise authorized under this section, a health care service plan shall not impose any restrictions or delays on the coverage required under this subdivision.

(4) Benefits for an enrollee under this subdivision shall be the same for an enrollee’s covered spouse and covered nonspouse dependents.

(5) For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subdivision, “health care service plan” shall include Medi-Cal managed care plans that contract with the State Department of Health Care Services pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a religious employer may request a health care service plan contract without coverage for FDA approved contraceptive methods that are contrary to the religious employer’s religious tenets. If so requested, a health care service plan contract shall be provided without coverage for contraceptive methods.

(1)  For purposes of this section, a “religious employer” is an entity for which each of the following is true:

(A)  The inculcation of religious values is the purpose of the entity.

(B)  The entity primarily employs persons who share the religious tenets of the entity.

(C)  The entity serves primarily persons who share the religious tenets of the entity.

(D)  The entity is a nonprofit organization as described in Section 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(2)  Every religious employer that invokes the exemption provided under this section shall provide written notice to prospective enrollees prior to enrollment with the plan, listing the contraceptive health care services the employer refuses to cover for religious reasons.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exclude coverage for contraceptive supplies as prescribed by a provider, acting within his or her scope of practice, for reasons other than contraceptive purposes, such as decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer or eliminating symptoms of menopause, or for contraception that is necessary to preserve the life or health of an enrollee.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict in any way the department’s authority to ensure plan compliance with this chapter when a plan provides coverage for contraceptive drugs, devices, and products.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an individual or group health care service plan contract to cover experimental or investigational treatments.

(g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Grandfathered health plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 1251 of PPACA.

(2) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(3) With respect to health care service plan contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2016, “provider” means an individual who is certified or licensed pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code, or an initiative act referred to in that division, or Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of this code.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 576, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1367.26.  

(a) A health care service plan shall provide, upon request, a list of the following contracting providers, within the enrollee’s or prospective enrollee’s general geographic area:

(1) Primary care providers.

(2) Medical groups.

(3) Independent practice associations.

(4) Hospitals.

(5) All other available contracting physicians and surgeons, psychologists, acupuncturists, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional clinical counselors, and nurse midwives to the extent their services may be accessed and are covered through the contract with the plan.

(b) This list shall indicate which providers have notified the plan that they have closed practices or are otherwise not accepting new patients at that time.

(c) The list shall indicate that it is subject to change without notice and shall provide a telephone number that enrollees can contact to obtain information regarding a particular provider. This information shall include whether or not that provider has indicated that he or she is accepting new patients.

(d) A health care service plan shall provide this information in written form to its enrollees or prospective enrollees upon request. A plan may, with the permission of the enrollee, satisfy the requirements of this section by directing the enrollee or prospective enrollee to the plan’s provider listings on its Internet Web site. Plans shall ensure that the information provided is updated at least quarterly. A plan may satisfy this update requirement by providing an insert or addendum to any existing provider listing. This requirement shall not mandate a complete republishing of a plan’s provider directory.

(e) Each plan shall make information available, upon request, concerning a contracting provider’s professional degree, board certifications, and any recognized subspeciality qualifications a specialist may have.

(f) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a plan from requiring its contracting providers, contracting provider groups, or contracting specialized health care plans to satisfy these requirements. If a plan delegates the responsibility of complying with this section to its contracting providers, contracting provider groups, or contracting specialized health care plans, the plan shall ensure that the requirements of this section are met.

(g) Every health care service plan shall allow enrollees to request the information required by this section through their toll-free telephone number or in writing.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 381, Sec. 29. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1367.29.  

(a) On and after July 1, 2011, in accordance with the requirements of subdivision (b), every health care service plan that provides coverage for professional mental health services, including a specialized health care service plan that provides coverage for professional mental health services, shall issue an identification card to each enrollee in order to assist the enrollee with accessing health benefits coverage information, including, but not limited to, in-network provider access information, and claims processing purposes. The identification card, at a minimum, shall include all of the following information:

(1) The name of the health care service plan issuing the identification card.

(2) The enrollee’s identification number.

(3) A telephone number that enrollees or providers may call for assistance with health benefits coverage information, in-network provider access information, and claims processing information, and when assessment services are provided by the health care service plan, access to assessment services for the purpose of referral to an appropriate level of care or an appropriate health care provider.

(4) The health care service plan’s Internet Web site address.

(b) The identification card required by this section shall be issued by a health care service plan or a specialized health care service plan to an enrollee upon enrollment or upon any change in the enrollee’s coverage that impacts the data content or format of the card.

(c) Nothing in this section requires a health care service plan to issue a separate identification card for professional mental health services coverage if the plan issues a card for health care coverage in general and the card provides the information required by this section.

(d) If a health care service plan or a specialized health care service plan, as described in subdivision (a), delegates responsibility for issuing the identification card to a contractor or an agent, the contractor or agent shall be required to comply with this section.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a health care service plan or a specialized health care service plan from meeting the standards of the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) or other national uniform standards with respect to identification cards, and a health care service plan shall be deemed compliant with this section if the plan conforms with these standards, as long as the minimum requirements described in subdivision (a) have been met.

(f) For the purposes of this section, “identification card” includes other technology that performs substantially the same function as an identification card.

(g) (1) This section shall not apply to Medicare supplement insurance, Employee Assistance Programs, short-term limited duration health insurance, Champus-supplement insurance, or TRI-CARE supplement insurance, or to hospital indemnity, accident-only, and specified disease insurance. This section shall also not apply to specialized health care service plans, except behavioral health-only plans.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), this section shall not apply to a behavioral health-only plan that provides coverage for professional mental health services pursuant to a contract with a health care service plan or insurer if that plan or insurer issues an identification card to its subscribers or insureds pursuant to this section or Section 10123.198 of the Insurance Code.

(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 575, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2010.)

1367.30.  

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every group health care service plan contract marketed, issued, or delivered to a resident of this state, regardless of the situs of the contract or the subscriber, shall be subject to Section 1374.58.

(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 722, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1368.  

(a) Every plan shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish and maintain a grievance system approved by the department under which enrollees may submit their grievances to the plan. Each system shall provide reasonable procedures in accordance with department regulations that shall ensure adequate consideration of enrollee grievances and rectification when appropriate.

(2) Inform its subscribers and enrollees upon enrollment in the plan and annually thereafter of the procedure for processing and resolving grievances. The information shall include the location and telephone number where grievances may be submitted.

(3) Provide forms for grievances to be given to subscribers and enrollees who wish to register written grievances. The forms used by plans licensed pursuant to Section 1353 shall be approved by the director in advance as to format.

(4) (A) Provide for a written acknowledgment within five calendar days of the receipt of a grievance, except as noted in subparagraph (B). The acknowledgment shall advise the complainant of the following:

(i) That the grievance has been received.

(ii) The date of receipt.

(iii) The name of the plan representative and the telephone number and address of the plan representative who may be contacted about the grievance.

(B) Grievances received by telephone, by facsimile, by e-mail, or online through the plan’s Internet Web site pursuant to Section 1368.015, that are not coverage disputes, disputed health care services involving medical necessity, or experimental or investigational treatment and that are resolved by the next business day following receipt are exempt from the requirements of subparagraph (A) and paragraph (5). The plan shall maintain a log of all these grievances. The log shall be periodically reviewed by the plan and shall include the following information for each complaint:

(i) The date of the call.

(ii) The name of the complainant.

(iii) The complainant’s member identification number.

(iv) The nature of the grievance.

(v) The nature of the resolution.

(vi) The name of the plan representative who took the call and resolved the grievance.

(5) Provide subscribers and enrollees with written responses to grievances, with a clear and concise explanation of the reasons for the plan’s response. For grievances involving the delay, denial, or modification of health care services, the plan response shall describe the criteria used and the clinical reasons for its decision, including all criteria and clinical reasons related to medical necessity. If a plan, or one of its contracting providers, issues a decision delaying, denying, or modifying health care services based in whole or in part on a finding that the proposed health care services are not a covered benefit under the contract that applies to the enrollee, the decision shall clearly specify the provisions in the contract that exclude that coverage.

(6) For grievances involving the cancellation, rescission, or nonrenewal of a health care service plan contract, the health care service plan shall continue to provide coverage to the enrollee or subscriber under the terms of the health care service plan contract until a final determination of the enrollee’s or subscriber’s request for review has been made by the health care service plan or the director pursuant to Section 1365 and this section. This paragraph shall not apply if the health care service plan cancels or fails to renew the enrollee’s or subscriber’s health care service plan contract for nonpayment of premiums pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1365.

(7) Keep in its files all copies of grievances, and the responses thereto, for a period of five years.

(b) (1) (A) After either completing the grievance process described in subdivision (a), or participating in the process for at least 30 days, a subscriber or enrollee may submit the grievance to the department for review. In any case determined by the department to be a case involving an imminent and serious threat to the health of the patient, including, but not limited to, severe pain, the potential loss of life, limb, or major bodily function, cancellations, rescissions, or the nonrenewal of a health care service plan contract, or in any other case where the department determines that an earlier review is warranted, a subscriber or enrollee shall not be required to complete the grievance process or to participate in the process for at least 30 days before submitting a grievance to the department for review.

(B) A grievance may be submitted to the department for review and resolution prior to any arbitration.

(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), the department may refer any grievance that does not pertain to compliance with this chapter to the State Department of Public Health, the California Department of Aging, the federal Health Care Financing Administration, or any other appropriate governmental entity for investigation and resolution.

(2) If the subscriber or enrollee is a minor, or is incompetent or incapacitated, the parent, guardian, conservator, relative, or other designee of the subscriber or enrollee, as appropriate, may submit the grievance to the department as the agent of the subscriber or enrollee. Further, a provider may join with, or otherwise assist, a subscriber or enrollee, or the agent, to submit the grievance to the department. In addition, following submission of the grievance to the department, the subscriber or enrollee, or the agent, may authorize the provider to assist, including advocating on behalf of the subscriber or enrollee. For purposes of this section, a “relative” includes the parent, stepparent, spouse, adult son or daughter, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt of the subscriber or enrollee.

(3) The department shall review the written documents submitted with the subscriber’s or the enrollee’s request for review, or submitted by the agent on behalf of the subscriber or enrollee. The department may ask for additional information, and may hold an informal meeting with the involved parties, including providers who have joined in submitting the grievance or who are otherwise assisting or advocating on behalf of the subscriber or enrollee. If after reviewing the record, the department concludes that the grievance, in whole or in part, is eligible for review under the independent medical review system established pursuant to Article 5.55 (commencing with Section 1374.30), the department shall immediately notify the subscriber or enrollee, or agent, of that option and shall, if requested orally or in writing, assist the subscriber or enrollee in participating in the independent medical review system.

(4) If after reviewing the record of a grievance, the department concludes that a health care service eligible for coverage and payment under a health care service plan contract has been delayed, denied, or modified by a plan, or by one of its contracting providers, in whole or in part due to a determination that the service is not medically necessary, and that determination was not communicated to the enrollee in writing along with a notice of the enrollee’s potential right to participate in the independent medical review system, as required by this chapter, the director shall, by order, assess administrative penalties. A proceeding for the issuance of an order assessing administrative penalties shall be subject to appropriate notice of, and the opportunity for, a hearing with regard to the person affected in accordance with Section 1397. The administrative penalties shall not be deemed an exclusive remedy available to the director. These penalties shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45.

(5) The department shall send a written notice of the final disposition of the grievance, and the reasons therefor, to the subscriber or enrollee, the agent, to any provider that has joined with or is otherwise assisting the subscriber or enrollee, and to the plan, within 30 calendar days of receipt of the request for review unless the director, in his or her discretion, determines that additional time is reasonably necessary to fully and fairly evaluate the relevant grievance. In any case not eligible for the independent medical review system established pursuant to Article 5.55 (commencing with Section 1374.30), the department’s written notice shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(A) A summary of its findings and the reasons why the department found the plan to be, or not to be, in compliance with any applicable laws, regulations, or orders of the director.

(B) A discussion of the department’s contact with any medical provider, or any other independent expert relied on by the department, along with a summary of the views and qualifications of that provider or expert.

(C) If the enrollee’s grievance is sustained in whole or in part, information about any corrective action taken.

(6) In any department review of a grievance involving a disputed health care service, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1374.30, that is not eligible for the independent medical review system established pursuant to Article 5.55 (commencing with Section 1374.30), in which the department finds that the plan has delayed, denied, or modified health care services that are medically necessary, based on the specific medical circumstances of the enrollee, and those services are a covered benefit under the terms and conditions of the health care service plan contract, the department’s written notice shall do either of the following:

(A) Order the plan to promptly offer and provide those health care services to the enrollee.

(B) Order the plan to promptly reimburse the enrollee for any reasonable costs associated with urgent care or emergency services, or other extraordinary and compelling health care services, when the department finds that the enrollee’s decision to secure those services outside of the plan network was reasonable under the circumstances.

The department’s order shall be binding on the plan.

(7) Distribution of the written notice shall not be deemed a waiver of any exemption or privilege under existing law, including, but not limited to, Section 6254.5 of the Government Code, for any information in connection with and including the written notice, nor shall any person employed or in any way retained by the department be required to testify as to that information or notice.

(8) The director shall establish and maintain a system of aging of grievances that are pending and unresolved for 30 days or more that shall include a brief explanation of the reasons each grievance is pending and unresolved for 30 days or more.

(9) A subscriber or enrollee, or the agent acting on behalf of a subscriber or enrollee, may also request voluntary mediation with the plan prior to exercising the right to submit a grievance to the department. The use of mediation services shall not preclude the right to submit a grievance to the department upon completion of mediation. In order to initiate mediation, the subscriber or enrollee, or the agent acting on behalf of the subscriber or enrollee, and the plan shall voluntarily agree to mediation. Expenses for mediation shall be borne equally by both sides. The department shall have no administrative or enforcement responsibilities in connection with the voluntary mediation process authorized by this paragraph.

(c) The plan’s grievance system shall include a system of aging of grievances that are pending and unresolved for 30 days or more. The plan shall provide a quarterly report to the director of grievances pending and unresolved for 30 or more days with separate categories of grievances for Medicare enrollees and Medi-Cal enrollees. The plan shall include with the report a brief explanation of the reasons each grievance is pending and unresolved for 30 days or more. The plan may include the following statement in the quarterly report that is made available to the public by the director:


“Under Medicare and Medi-Cal law, Medicare enrollees and Medi-Cal enrollees each have separate avenues of appeal that are not available to other enrollees. Therefore, grievances pending and unresolved may reflect enrollees pursuing their Medicare or Medi-Cal appeal rights.”


If requested by a plan, the director shall include this statement in a written report made available to the public and prepared by the director that describes or compares grievances that are pending and unresolved with the plan for 30 days or more. Additionally, the director shall, if requested by a plan, append to that written report a brief explanation, provided in writing by the plan, of the reasons why grievances described in that written report are pending and unresolved for 30 days or more. The director shall not be required to include a statement or append a brief explanation to a written report that the director is required to prepare under this chapter, including Sections 1380 and 1397.5.

(d) Subject to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), the grievance or resolution procedures authorized by this section shall be in addition to any other procedures that may be available to any person, and failure to pursue, exhaust, or engage in the procedures described in this section shall not preclude the use of any other remedy provided by law.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the submission to the department of any provider grievance under this section. However, as part of a provider’s duty to advocate for medically appropriate health care for his or her patients pursuant to Sections 510 and 2056 of the Business and Professions Code, nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit a provider from contacting and informing the department about any concerns he or she has regarding compliance with or enforcement of this chapter.

(f) To the extent required by Section 2719 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-19) and any subsequent rules or regulations, there shall be an independent external review pursuant to the standards required by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services of a health care service plan’s cancellation, rescission, or nonrenewal of an enrollee’s or subscriber’s coverage.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 658, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2011.)

1368.01.  

(a)  The grievance system shall require the plan to resolve grievances within 30 days.

(b)  The grievance system shall include a requirement for expedited plan review of grievances for cases involving an imminent and serious threat to the health of the patient, including, but not limited to, severe pain, potential loss of life, limb, or major bodily function. When the plan has notice of a case requiring expedited review, the grievance system shall require the plan to immediately inform enrollees and subscribers in writing of their right to notify the department of the grievance. The grievance system shall also require the plan to provide enrollees, subscribers, and the department with a written statement on the disposition or pending status of the grievance no later than three days from receipt of the grievance. Paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1368 shall not apply to grievances handled pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 796, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1368.015.  

(a) Effective July 1, 2003, every plan with an Internet Web site shall provide an online form through its Internet Web site that subscribers or enrollees can use to file with the plan a grievance, as described in Section 1368, online.

(b) The Internet Web site shall have an easily accessible online grievance submission procedure that shall be accessible through a hyperlink on the Internet Web site’s home page or member services portal clearly identified as “GRIEVANCE FORM.” All information submitted through this process shall be processed through a secure server.

(c) The online grievance submission process shall be approved by the Department of Managed Health Care and shall meet the following requirements:

(1) It shall utilize an online grievance form in HTML format that allows the user to enter required information directly into the form.

(2) It shall allow the subscriber or enrollee to preview the grievance that will be submitted, including the opportunity to edit the form prior to submittal.

(3) It shall include a current hyperlink to the California Department of Managed Health Care Internet Web site, and shall include a statement in a legible font that is clearly distinguishable from other content on the page and is in a legible size and type, containing the following language:


“The California Department of Managed Health Care is responsible for regulating health care service plans. If you have a grievance against your health plan, you should first telephone your health plan at (insert health plan’s telephone number) and use your health plan’s grievance process before contacting the department. Utilizing this grievance procedure does not prohibit any potential legal rights or remedies that may be available to you. If you need help with a grievance involving an emergency, a grievance that has not been satisfactorily resolved by your health plan, or a grievance that has remained unresolved for more than 30 days, you may call the department for assistance. You may also be eligible for an Independent Medical Review (IMR). If you are eligible for IMR, the IMR process will provide an impartial review of medical decisions made by a health plan related to the medical necessity of a proposed service or treatment, coverage decisions for treatments that are experimental or investigational in nature and payment disputes for emergency or urgent medical services. The department also has a toll-free telephone number (1-888-HMO-2219) and a TDD line (1-877-688-9891) for the hearing and speech impaired. The department’s Internet Web site http://www.hmohelp.ca.gov has complaint forms, IMR application forms and instructions online.”


The plan shall update the URL, hyperlink, and telephone numbers in this statement as necessary.

(d) A plan that utilizes a hardware system that does not have the minimum system requirements to support the software necessary to meet the requirements of this section is exempt from these requirements until January 1, 2006.

(e) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Homepage” means the first page or welcome page of an Internet Web site that serves as a starting point for navigation of the Internet Web site.

(2) “HTML” means Hypertext Markup Language, the authoring language used to create documents on the World Wide Web, which defines the structure and layout of a Web document.

(3) “Hyperlink” means a special HTML code that allows text or graphics to serve as a link that, when clicked on, takes a user to another place in the same document, to another document, or to another Internet Web site or Web page.

(4) “Member services portal” means the first page or welcome page of an Internet Web site that can be reached directly by the Internet Web site’s homepage and that serves as a starting point for a navigation of member services available on the Internet Web site.

(5) “Secure server” means an Internet connection to an Internet Web site that encrypts and decrypts transmissions, protecting them against third-party tampering and allowing for the secure transfer of data.

(6) “URL” or “Uniform Resource Locator” means the address of an Internet Web site or the location of a resource on the World Wide Web that allows a browser to locate and retrieve the Internet Web site or the resource.

(7) “Internet Web site” means a site or location on the World Wide Web.

(f) (1) Every health care service plan, except a plan that primarily serves Medi-Cal or Healthy Families Program enrollees, shall maintain an Internet Web site. For a health care service plan that provides coverage for professional mental health services, the Internet Web site shall include, but not be limited to, providing information to subscribers, enrollees, and providers that will assist subscribers and enrollees in accessing mental health services as well as the information described in Section 1368.016.

(2) The provision in paragraph (1) that requires compliance with Section 1368.016 shall not apply to a health care service plan that contracts with a specialized health care service plan, insurer, or other entity to cover professional mental health services for its enrollees, provided that the health care service plan provides a link on its Internet Web site to an Internet Web site operated by the specialized health care service plan, insurer, or other entity with which it contracts, and that plan, insurer, or other entity complies with Section 1368.016.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 575, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2010.)

1368.016.  

(a) A health care service plan that provides coverage for professional mental health services, including a specialized health care service plan that provides coverage for professional mental health services, shall, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1368.015, include on its Internet Web site, or provide a link to, the following information:

(1) A telephone number that the enrollee or provider can call, during normal business hours, for assistance obtaining mental health benefits coverage information, including the extent to which benefits have been exhausted, in-network provider access information, and claims processing information.

(2) A link to prescription drug formularies posted pursuant to Section 1367.205, or instructions on how to obtain the formulary, as described in Section 1367.20.

(3) A detailed summary that describes the process by which the plan reviews and authorizes or approves, modifies, or denies requests for health care services as described in Sections 1363.5 and 1367.01.

(4) Lists of providers or instructions on how to obtain the provider list, as required by Section 1367.26.

(5) A detailed summary of the enrollee grievance process as described in Sections 1368 and 1368.015.

(6) A detailed description of how an enrollee may request continuity of care pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 1373.95.

(7) Information concerning the right, and applicable procedure, of an enrollee to request an independent medical review pursuant to Section 1374.30.

(b) Any modified material described in subdivision (a) shall be updated at least quarterly.

(c) The information described in subdivision (a) may be made available through a secured Internet Web site that is only accessible to enrollees.

(d) The material described in subdivision (a) shall also be made available to enrollees in hard copy upon request.

(e) Nothing in this article shall preclude a health care service plan from including additional information on its Internet Web site for applicants, enrollees or subscribers, or providers, including, but not limited to, the cost of procedures or services by health care providers in a plan’s network.

(f) The department shall include on the department’s Internet Web site a link to the Internet Web site of each health care service plan and specialized health care service plan described in subdivision (a).

(g) This section shall not apply to Medicare supplement insurance, Employee Assistance Programs, short-term limited duration health insurance, CHAMPUS-supplement insurance, or TRI-CARE supplement insurance, or to hospital indemnity, accident-only, and specified disease insurance. This section shall also not apply to specialized health care service plans, except behavioral health-only plans.

(h) This section shall not apply to a health care service plan that contracts with a specialized health care service plan, insurer, or other entity to cover professional mental health services for its enrollees, provided that the health care service plan provides a link on its Internet Web site to an Internet Web site operated by the specialized health care service plan, insurer, or other entity with which it contracts, and that plan, insurer, or other entity complies with this section or Section 10123.199 of the Insurance Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 575, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1368.02.  

(a) The director shall establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number for the purpose of receiving complaints regarding health care service plans regulated by the director.

(b) Every health care service plan shall publish the department’s toll-free telephone number, the department’s TDD line for the hearing and speech impaired, the plan’s telephone number, and the department’s Internet Web site address, on every plan contract, on every evidence of coverage, on copies of plan grievance procedures, on plan complaint forms, and on all written notices to enrollees required under the grievance process of the plan, including any written communications to an enrollee that offer the enrollee the opportunity to participate in the grievance process of the plan and on all written responses to grievances. The department’s telephone number, the department’s TDD line, the plan’s telephone number, and the department’s Internet Web site address shall be displayed by the plan in each of these documents in 12-point boldface type in the following regular type statement:

“The California Department of Managed Health Care is responsible for regulating health care service plans. If you have a grievance against your health plan, you should first telephone your health plan at (insert health plan’s telephone number) and use your health plan’s grievance process before contacting the department. Utilizing this grievance procedure does not prohibit any potential legal rights or remedies that may be available to you. If you need help with a grievance involving an emergency, a grievance that has not been satisfactorily resolved by your health plan, or a grievance that has remained unresolved for more than 30 days, you may call the department for assistance. You may also be eligible for an Independent Medical Review (IMR). If you are eligible for IMR, the IMR process will provide an impartial review of medical decisions made by a health plan related to the medical necessity of a proposed service or treatment, coverage decisions for treatments that are experimental or investigational in nature and payment disputes for emergency or urgent medical services. The department also has a toll-free telephone number (1-888-HMO-2219) and a TDD line (1-877-688-9891) for the hearing and speech impaired. The department’s Internet Web site http://www.hmohelp.ca.gov has complaint forms, IMR application forms and instructions online.”

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 552, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1368.03.  

(a) The department may require enrollees and subscribers to participate in a plan’s grievance process for up to 30 days before pursuing a grievance through the department or the independent medical review system. However, the department may not impose this waiting period for expedited review cases covered by subdivision (b) of Section 1368.01 or in any other case where the department determines that an earlier review is warranted.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the department may refer any grievance issue that does not pertain to compliance with this chapter to the State Department of Health Services, the California Department of Aging, the federal Health Care Financing Administration, or any other appropriate governmental entity for investigation and resolution.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2001, and then only if Assembly Bill 55 of the 1999–2000 Regular Session is enacted.

(Repealed (in Sec. 4) and added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 542, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000. Section operative January 1, 2001, by its own provisions.)

1368.04.  

(a) The director shall investigate and take enforcement action against plans regarding grievances reviewed and found by the department to involve noncompliance with the requirements of this chapter, including grievances that have been reviewed pursuant to the independent medical review system established pursuant to Article 5.55 (commencing with Section 1374.30). Where substantial harm to an enrollee has occurred as a result of plan noncompliance, the director shall, by order, assess administrative penalties subject to appropriate notice of, and the opportunity for, a hearing with regard to the person affected in accordance with Section 1397. The administrative penalties shall not be deemed an exclusive remedy available to the director. These penalties shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45. The director shall periodically evaluate grievances to determine if any audit, investigative, or enforcement actions should be undertaken by the department.

(b) The director may, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing in accordance with Section 1397, by order, assess administrative penalties if the director determines that a health care service plan has knowingly committed, or has performed with a frequency that indicates a general business practice, either of the following:

(1) Repeated failure to act promptly and reasonably to investigate and resolve grievances in accordance with Section 1368.01.

(2) Repeated failure to act promptly and reasonably to resolve grievances when the obligation of the plan to the enrollee or subscriber is reasonably clear.

(c) The administrative penalties available to the director pursuant to this section are not exclusive, and may be sought and employed in any combination with civil, criminal, and other administrative remedies deemed warranted by the director to enforce this chapter.

(d) The administrative penalties authorized pursuant to this section shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 607, Sec. 6. Effective September 30, 2008.)

1368.05.  

(a) (1) By enacting this section, which was originally enacted by Assembly Bill 922 (Chapter 552 of the Statutes of 2011), the Legislature recognizes that, because of the enactment of federal health care reform on March 23, 2010, and the implementation of various provisions by January 1, 2014, and the ongoing complexities of health care reform, it is appropriate to transfer the direct consumer assistance activities that were newly conferred on the Office of the Patient Advocate to the Department of Managed Health Care, and the Legislature recognizes that these new duties are necessary to be carried out by the department in partnership with community-based consumer assistance organizations for the purposes of serving California’s health care consumers.

(2) In addition to maintaining the toll-free telephone number for the purpose of receiving complaints regarding health care service plans as required in Section 1368.02, the department and its contractors shall carry out these new responsibilities, which include assisting consumers in navigating private and public health care coverage and assisting consumers in determining the regulator that regulates the health care coverage of a particular consumer. In order to further assist in implementing health care reform, the department and its contractors shall also receive and respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance and education concerning health care coverage available in California.

(b) (1) The department shall annually contract with community-based organizations in furtherance of providing assistance to consumers as described in subdivision (a), as authorized by and in accordance with Section 19130 of the Government Code.

(2) These organizations shall be community-based nonprofit consumer assistance programs that shall include in their mission the assistance of, and duty to, health care consumers.

(3) Contracting consumer assistance organizations shall have experience in assisting consumers in navigating the local health care system, advising consumers regarding their health care coverage options, assisting consumers with problems in accessing health care services, and serving consumers with special needs, including, but not limited to, consumers with limited-English language proficiency, consumers requiring culturally competent services, low-income consumers, consumers with disabilities, consumers with low literacy rates, and consumers with multiple health conditions, including behavioral health. The organizations shall also have experience with, and the capacity for, collecting and reporting data regarding the consumers they assist, including demographic data, source of coverage, regulator, type of problem or issue, and resolution of complaints.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 31, Sec. 7. Effective June 20, 2014.)

1368.1.  

(a)  A plan that denies coverage to an enrollee with a terminal illness, which for the purposes of this section refers to an incurable or irreversible condition that has a high probability of causing death within one year or less, for treatment, services, or supplies deemed experimental, as recommended by a participating plan provider, shall provide to the enrollee within five business days all of the following information:

(1)  A statement setting forth the specific medical and scientific reasons for denying coverage.

(2)  A description of alternative treatment, services, or supplies covered by the plan, if any. Compliance with this subdivision by a plan shall not be construed to mean that the plan is engaging in the unlawful practice of medicine.

(3)  Copies of the plan’s grievance procedures or complaint form, or both. The complaint form shall provide an opportunity for the enrollee to request a conference as part of the plan’s grievance system provided under Section 1368.

(b)  Upon receiving a complaint form requesting a conference pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the plan shall provide the enrollee, within 30 calendar days, an opportunity to attend a conference, to review the information provided to the enrollee pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a), conducted by a plan representative having authority to determine the disposition of the complaint. The plan shall allow attendance, in person, at the conference, by an enrollee, a designee of the enrollee, or both, or, if the enrollee is a minor or incompetent, the parent, guardian, or conservator of the enrollee, as appropriate. However, the conference required by this subdivision shall be held within five business days if the treating participating physician determines, after consultation with the health plan medical director or his or her designee, based on standard medical practice, that the effectiveness of either the proposed treatment, services, or supplies or any alternative treatment, services, or supplies covered by the plan, would be materially reduced if not provided at the earliest possible date.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall limit the responsibilities, rights, or authority provided in Sections 1370 and 1370.1.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 582, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)

1368.2.  

(a) On and after January 1, 2002, every group health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, which is issued, amended, or renewed, shall include a provision for hospice care.

(b) The hospice care shall at a minimum be equivalent to hospice care provided by the federal Medicare program pursuant to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

(c) The hospice care provided under this section is not required to include preliminary services set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 1749. However, an enrollee who receives those preliminary services shall remain eligible for coverage of curative treatment by a health care service plan during the course of preliminary services and prior to the election of hospice services.

(d) The following are applicable to this section and to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 1345:

(1) The definitions in Section 1746, except for subdivisions (o) and (p) of that section.

(2) The “federal regulations” which means the regulations adopted for hospice care under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter IV, Part 418, except Subparts A, B, G, and H, and any amendments or successor provisions thereto.

(e) The director no later than January 1, 2001, shall adopt regulations to implement this section. The regulations shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Be consistent with all material elements of the federal regulations that are not by their terms applicable only to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. If there is a conflict between a federal regulation and any state regulation, other than those adopted pursuant to this section, the director shall adopt the regulation that is most favorable for plan subscribers, members or enrollees to receive hospice care.

(2) Be consistent with any other applicable federal or state laws.

(3) Be consistent with the definitions of Section 1746, except for subdivisions (o) and (p) of that section.

(f) This section is not applicable to the subscribers, members, or enrollees of a health care service plan who elect to receive hospice care under the Medicare program.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 77, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2006.)

1368.5.  

(a)  Every health care service plan that offers coverage for a service that is within the scope of practice of a duly licensed pharmacist may pay or reimburse the cost of the service performed by a pharmacist for the plan if the pharmacist otherwise provides services for the plan.

(b)  Payment or reimbursement may be made pursuant to this section for a service performed by a duly licensed pharmacist only when all of the following conditions are met:

(1)  The service performed is within the lawful scope of practice of the pharmacist.

(2)  The coverage otherwise provides reimbursement for identical services performed by other licensed health care providers.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall require the plan to pay a claim to more than one provider for duplicate service or be interpreted to limit physician reimbursement.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 527, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)

1369.  

Every plan shall establish procedures to permit subscribers and enrollees to participate in establishing the public policy of the plan. For purposes of this section, public policy means acts performed by a plan or its employees and staff to assure the comfort, dignity, and convenience of patients who rely on the plan’s facilities to provide health care services to them, their families, and the public.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 45, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)

1370.  

Every plan shall establish procedures in accordance with department regulations for continuously reviewing the quality of care, performance of medical personnel, utilization of services and facilities, and costs. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be no monetary liability on the part of, and no cause of action for damages shall arise against, any person who participates in plan or provider quality of care or utilization reviews by peer review committees which are composed chiefly of physicians and surgeons or dentists, psychologists, or optometrists, or any of the above, for any act performed during the reviews if the person acts without malice, has made a reasonable effort to obtain the facts of the matter, and believes that the action taken is warranted by the facts, and neither the proceedings nor the records of the reviews shall be subject to discovery, nor shall any person in attendance at the reviews be required to testify as to what transpired thereat. Disclosure of the proceedings or records to the governing body of a plan or to any person or entity designated by the plan to review activities of the plan or provider committees shall not alter the status of the records or of the proceedings as privileged communications.

The above prohibition relating to discovery or testimony shall not apply to the statements made by any person in attendance at a review who is a party to an action or proceeding the subject matter of which was reviewed, or to any person requesting hospital staff privileges, or in any action against an insurance carrier alleging bad faith by the carrier in refusing to accept a settlement offer within the policy limits, or to the director in conducting surveys pursuant to Section 1380.

This section shall not be construed to confer immunity from liability on any health care service plan. In any case in which, but for the enactment of the preceding provisions of this section, a cause of action would arise against a health care service plan, the cause of action shall exist notwithstanding the provisions of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 105. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)

1370.1.  

Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent a plan from utilizing subcommittees to participate in peer review activities, nor to prevent a plan from delegating the responsibilities required by Section 1370, as it determines to be appropriate, to subcommittees including subcommittees composed of a majority of nonphysician health care providers licensed pursuant to the Business and Professions Code, so long as the plan controls the scope of authority delegated and may revoke all or part of this authority at any time. Persons who participate in the subcommittees shall be entitled to the same immunity from monetary liability and actions for civil damages as persons who participate in plan or provider peer review committees pursuant to Section 1370.

(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 828, Sec. 2.)

1370.2.  

Upon an appeal to the plan of a contested claim, the plan shall refer the claim to the medical director or other appropriately licensed health care provider. This health care provider or the medical director shall review the appeal and, if he or she determines that he or she is competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues presented in the claim, shall make a determination on the appealed claim. If the health care provider or medical director determines that he or she is not competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues of the appealed claim, prior to making a determination, he or she shall consult with an appropriately licensed health care provider who is competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues presented in the claim. For the purposes of this section, “competent to evaluate the specific clinical issues” means that the reviewer has education, training, and relevant expertise that is pertinent for evaluating the specific clinical issues that serve as the basis of the contested claim. The requirements of this section shall apply to claims that are contested on the basis of a clinical issue, the necessity for treatment, or the type of treatment proposed or utilized. The plan shall determine whether or not to use an appropriate specialist provider in the review of contested claims.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 614, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.)

1370.4.  

(a) Every health care service plan shall provide an external, independent review process to examine the plan’s coverage decisions regarding experimental or investigational therapies for individual enrollees who meet all of the following criteria:

(1) (A) The enrollee has a life-threatening or seriously debilitating condition.

(B) For purposes of this section, “life-threatening” means either or both of the following:

(i) Diseases or conditions where the likelihood of death is high unless the course of the disease is interrupted.

(ii) Diseases or conditions with potentially fatal outcomes, where the end point of clinical intervention is survival.

(C) For purposes of this section, “seriously debilitating” means diseases or conditions that cause major irreversible morbidity.

(2) The enrollee’s physician certifies that the enrollee has a condition, as defined in paragraph (1), for which standard therapies have not been effective in improving the condition of the enrollee, for which standard therapies would not be medically appropriate for the enrollee, or for which there is no more beneficial standard therapy covered by the plan than the therapy proposed pursuant to paragraph (3).

(3) Either (A) the enrollee’s physician, who is under contract with or employed by the plan, has recommended a drug, device, procedure, or other therapy that the physician certifies in writing is likely to be more beneficial to the enrollee than any available standard therapies, or (B) the enrollee, or the enrollee’s physician who is a licensed, board-certified or board-eligible physician qualified to practice in the area of practice appropriate to treat the enrollee’s condition, has requested a therapy that, based on two documents from the medical and scientific evidence, as defined in subdivision (d), is likely to be more beneficial for the enrollee than any available standard therapy. The physician certification pursuant to this subdivision shall include a statement of the evidence relied upon by the physician in certifying his or her recommendation. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the plan to pay for the services of a nonparticipating physician provided pursuant to this subdivision, that are not otherwise covered pursuant to the plan contact.

(4) The enrollee has been denied coverage by the plan for a drug, device, procedure, or other therapy recommended or requested pursuant to paragraph (3).

(5) The specific drug, device, procedure, or other therapy recommended pursuant to paragraph (3) would be a covered service, except for the plan’s determination that the therapy is experimental or investigational.

(b) The plan’s decision to delay, deny, or modify experimental or investigational therapies shall be subject to the independent medical review process under Article 5.55 (commencing with Section 1374.30) except that, in lieu of the information specified in subdivision (b) of Section 1374.33, an independent medical reviewer shall base his or her determination on relevant medical and scientific evidence, including, but not limited to, the medical and scientific evidence defined in subdivision (d).

(c) The independent medical review process shall also meet the following criteria:

(1) The plan shall notify eligible enrollees in writing of the opportunity to request the external independent review within five business days of the decision to deny coverage.

(2) If the enrollee’s physician determines that the proposed therapy would be significantly less effective if not promptly initiated, the analyses and recommendations of the experts on the panel shall be rendered within seven days of the request for expedited review. At the request of the expert, the deadline shall be extended by up to three days for a delay in providing the documents required. The timeframes specified in this paragraph shall be in addition to any otherwise applicable timeframes contained in subdivision (c) of Section 1374.33.

(3) Each expert’s analysis and recommendation shall be in written form and state the reasons the requested therapy is or is not likely to be more beneficial for the enrollee than any available standard therapy, and the reasons that the expert recommends that the therapy should or should not be provided by the plan, citing the enrollee’s specific medical condition, the relevant documents provided, and the relevant medical and scientific evidence, including, but not limited to, the medical and scientific evidence as defined in subdivision (d), to support the expert’s recommendation.

(4) Coverage for the services required under this section shall be provided subject to the terms and conditions generally applicable to other benefits under the plan contract.

(d) For the purposes of subdivision (b), “medical and scientific evidence” means the following sources:

(1) Peer-reviewed scientific studies published in or accepted for publication by medical journals that meet nationally recognized requirements for scientific manuscripts and that submit most of their published articles for review by experts who are not part of the editorial staff.

(2) Peer-reviewed literature, biomedical compendia, and other medical literature that meet the criteria of the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine for indexing in Index Medicus, Excerpta Medicus (EMBASE), Medline, and MEDLARS database of Health Services Technology Assessment Research (HSTAR).

(3) Medical journals recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under Section 1861(t)(2) of the Social Security Act.

(4) Either of the following reference compendia:

(A) The American Hospital Formulary Service’s Drug Information.

(B) The American Dental Association Accepted Dental Therapeutics.

(5) Any of the following reference compendia, if recognized by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen:

(A) The Elsevier Gold Standard’s Clinical Pharmacology.

(B) The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Drug and Biologics Compendium.

(C) The Thomson Micromedex DrugDex.

(6) Findings, studies, or research conducted by or under the auspices of federal government agencies and nationally recognized federal research institutes, including the Federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, National Academy of Sciences, Health Care Financing Administration, Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and any national board recognized by the National Institutes of Health for the purpose of evaluating the medical value of health services.

(7) Peer-reviewed abstracts accepted for presentation at major medical association meetings.

(e) The independent review process established by this section shall be required on and after January 1, 2001.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 479, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2010.)

1370.6.  

(a)  For an enrollee diagnosed with cancer and accepted into a phase I, phase II, phase III, or phase IV clinical trial for cancer, every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state, shall provide coverage for all routine patient care costs related to the clinical trial if the enrollee’s treating physician, who is providing covered health care services to the enrollee under the enrollee’s health benefit plan contract, recommends participation in the clinical trial after determining that participation in the clinical trial has a meaningful potential to benefit the enrollee. For purposes of this section, a clinical trial’s endpoints shall not be defined exclusively to test toxicity, but shall have a therapeutic intent.

(b)  (1)  “Routine patient care costs” means the costs associated with the provision of health care services, including drugs, items, devices, and services that would otherwise be covered under the plan or contract if those drugs, items, devices, and services were not provided in connection with an approved clinical trial program, including:

(A)  Health care services typically provided absent a clinical trial.

(B)  Health care services required solely for the provision of the investigational drug, item, device, or service.

(C)  Health care services required for the clinically appropriate monitoring of the investigational item or service.

(D)  Health care services provided for the prevention of complications arising from the provision of the investigational drug, item, device, or service.

(E)  Health care services needed for the reasonable and necessary care arising from the provision of the investigational drug, item, device, or service, including the diagnosis or treatment of the complications.

(2)  For purposes of this section, “routine patient care costs” does not include the costs associated with the provision of any of the following:

(A)  Drugs or devices that have not been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration and that are associated with the clinical trial.

(B)  Services other than health care services, such as travel, housing, companion expenses, and other nonclinical expenses, that an enrollee may require as a result of the treatment being provided for purposes of the clinical trial.

(C)  Any item or service that is provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis needs and that is not used in the clinical management of the patient.

(D)  Health care services that, except for the fact that they are being provided in a clinical trial, are otherwise specifically excluded from coverage under the enrollee’s health plan.

(E)  Health care services customarily provided by the research sponsors free of charge for any enrollee in the trial.

(3)  Nothing in this section shall require a health care service plan contracting with the State Department of Health Services for the purpose of providing Medi-Cal benefits to enrolled beneficiaries or contracting with the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board for the purposes of providing benefits under the Healthy Families Program, the Access for Infants and Mothers Program, or the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program, to be responsible for reimbursement of services excluded from their contract because another entity is responsible by statute or otherwise for reimbursement of the service provider.

(c)  The treatment shall be provided in a clinical trial that either:

(1)  Involves a drug that is exempt under federal regulations from a new drug application.

(2)  Is approved by one of the following:

(A)  One of the National Institutes of Health.

(B)  The federal Food and Drug Administration, in the form of an investigational new drug application.

(C)  The United States Department of Defense.

(D)  The United States Veterans’ Administration.

(d)  In the case of health care services provided by a participating provider, the payment rate shall be at the agreed-upon rate. In the case of a nonparticipating provider, the payment shall be at the negotiated rate the plan would otherwise pay to a participating provider for the same services, less any applicable copayments and deductibles.

(e)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a health care service plan from restricting coverage for clinical trials to participating hospitals and physicians in California unless the protocol for the clinical trial is not provided for at a California hospital or by a California physician.

(f)  The provision of services when required by this section shall not, in itself, give rise to liability on the part of the health care service plan.

(g)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit, prohibit, or modify an enrollee’s rights to the independent review process available under Section 1370.4 or to the Independent Medical Review System available under Article 5.55 (commencing with Section 1374.30).

(h)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to otherwise limit or modify any existing requirements under the provisions of this chapter or to prevent application of copayment or deductible provisions in a plan.

(i)  Copayments and deductibles applied to services delivered in a clinical trial shall be the same as those applied to the same services if not delivered in a clinical trial.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 172, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)

1371.  

A health care service plan, including a specialized health care service plan, shall reimburse claims or any portion of any claim, whether in state or out of state, as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 working days after receipt of the claim by the health care service plan, or if the health care service plan is a health maintenance organization, 45 working days after receipt of the claim by the health care service plan, unless the claim or portion thereof is contested by the plan in which case the claimant shall be notified, in writing, that the claim is contested or denied, within 30 working days after receipt of the claim by the health care service plan, or if the health care service plan is a health maintenance organization, 45 working days after receipt of the claim by the health care service plan. The notice that a claim is being contested shall identify the portion of the claim that is contested and the specific reasons for contesting the claim.

If an uncontested claim is not reimbursed by delivery to the claimants’ address of record within the respective 30 or 45 working days after receipt, interest shall accrue at the rate of 15 percent per annum beginning with the first calendar day after the 30- or 45-working-day period. A health care service plan shall automatically include in its payment of the claim all interest that has accrued pursuant to this section without requiring the claimant to submit a request for the interest amount. Any plan failing to comply with this requirement shall pay the claimant a ten dollar ($10) fee.

For the purposes of this section, a claim, or portion thereof, is reasonably contested if the plan has not received the completed claim and all information necessary to determine payer liability for the claim, or has not been granted reasonable access to information concerning provider services. Information necessary to determine payer liability for the claim includes, but is not limited to, reports of investigations concerning fraud and misrepresentation, and necessary consents, releases, and assignments, a claim on appeal, or other information necessary for the plan to determine the medical necessity for the health care services provided.

If a claim or portion thereof is contested on the basis that the plan has not received all information necessary to determine payer liability for the claim or portion thereof and notice has been provided pursuant to this section, the plan shall have 30 working days or, if the health care service plan is a health maintenance organization, 45 working days after receipt of this additional information to complete reconsideration of the claim. If a plan has received all of the information necessary to determine payer liability for a contested claim and has not reimbursed a claim it has determined to be payable within 30 working days of the receipt of that information, or if the plan is a health maintenance organization, within 45 working days of receipt of that information, interest shall accrue and be payable at a rate of 15 percent per annum beginning with the first calendar day after the 30- or 45-working-day period.

The obligation of the plan to comply with this section shall not be deemed to be waived when the plan requires its medical groups, independent practice associations, or other contracting entities to pay claims for covered services.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 140, Sec. 98. Effective January 1, 2010.)

1371.1.  

(a) Whenever a health care service plan, including a specialized health care service plan, determines that in reimbursing a claim for provider services an institutional or professional provider has been overpaid, and then notifies the provider in writing through a separate notice identifying the overpayment and the amount of the overpayment, the provider shall reimburse the health care service plan within 30 working days of receipt by the provider of the notice of overpayment unless the overpayment or portion thereof is contested by the provider in which case the health care service plan shall be notified, in writing, within 30 working days. The notice that an overpayment is being contested shall identify the portion of the overpayment that is contested and the specific reasons for contesting the overpayment.

If the provider does not make reimbursement for an uncontested overpayment within 30 working days after receipt, interest shall accrue at the rate of 10 percent per annum beginning with the first calendar day after the 30-working-day period.

(b) (1) This subdivision shall only apply to a health care service plan contract covering dental services or a specialized health care service plan contract covering dental services pursuant to this chapter.

(2) The health care service plan’s notice of overpayment shall inform the provider how to access the plan’s dispute resolution mechanism offered pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1367. The notice shall include the name and address to which the dispute should be submitted and a statement that Section 1371.1 of the Health and Safety Code requires a provider to reimburse the plan for an overpayment within 30 working days of receipt by the provider of the notice of overpayment unless the provider contests the overpayment within 30 working days. The notice shall also include information clearly identifying the claim, the name of the patient, the date of service, and a clear explanation of the basis upon which the plan or the plan’s capitated provider believes the amount paid on the claim was in excess of the amount due, including interest and penalties on the claim. The notice shall also include a statement that if the provider does not make reimbursement of an uncontested overpayment within 30 working days after receipt of the notice, interest shall accrue at a rate of 10 percent per annum.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 140, Sec. 99. Effective January 1, 2010.)

1371.2.  

No health care service plan, including a specialized health care service plan, shall request reimbursement for overpayment or reduce the level of payment to a provider based solely on the allegation that the provider has entered into a contract with any other licensed health care service plan for participation in a benefit plan that has been approved by the director.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 760, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003.)

1371.22.  

If a contract between a health care service plan and a provider requires that the provider accept, as payment from the plan, the lowest payment rate charged by the provider to any patient or third party, this contract provision shall not be deemed to apply to, or take into consideration, any cash payments made to the provider by individual patients who do not have any private or public form of health care coverage for the service rendered by the provider, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 657 of the Business and Professions Code. This section shall apply to a provider contract that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this section.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 20, Sec. 2. Effective April 14, 1998.)

1371.25.  

A plan, any entity contracting with a plan, and providers are each responsible for their own acts or omissions, and are not liable for the acts or omissions of, or the costs of defending, others. Any provision to the contrary in a contract with providers is void and unenforceable. Nothing in this section shall preclude a finding of liability on the part of a plan, any entity contracting with a plan, or a provider, based on the doctrines of equitable indemnity, comparative negligence, contribution, or other statutory or common law bases for liability.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 774, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)

1371.3.  

On and after January 1, 1994, every group health care service plan that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for plan members and their dependents shall authorize and permit assignment of the enrollee’s or subscriber’s right to any reimbursement for health care services covered under the plan contract to the State Department of Health Services when health care services are provided to a Medi-Cal beneficiary. This section, however, shall not apply to a Medi-Cal beneficiary for health care services provided pursuant to a contract with the State Department of Health Services under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 744, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)

1371.35.  

(a)  A health care service plan, including a specialized health care service plan, shall reimburse each complete claim, or portion thereof, whether in state or out of state, as soon as practical, but no later than 30 working days after receipt of the complete claim by the health care service plan, or if the health care service plan is a health maintenance organization, 45 working days after receipt of the complete claim by the health care service plan. However, a plan may contest or deny a claim, or portion thereof, by notifying the claimant, in writing, that the claim is contested or denied, within 30 working days after receipt of the claim by the health care service plan, or if the health care service plan is a health maintenance organization, 45 working days after receipt of the claim by the health care service plan. The notice that a claim, or portion thereof, is contested shall identify the portion of the claim that is contested, by revenue code, and the specific information needed from the provider to reconsider the claim. The notice that a claim, or portion thereof, is denied shall identify the portion of the claim that is denied, by revenue code, and the specific reasons for the denial. A plan may delay payment of an uncontested portion of a complete claim for reconsideration of a contested portion of that claim so long as the plan pays those charges specified in subdivision (b).

(b)  If a complete claim, or portion thereof, that is neither contested nor denied, is not reimbursed by delivery to the claimant’s address of record within the respective 30 or 45 working days after receipt, the plan shall pay the greater of fifteen dollars ($15) per year or interest at the rate of 15 percent per annum beginning with the first calendar day after the 30- or 45-working-day period. A health care service plan shall automatically include the fifteen dollars ($15) per year or interest due in the payment made to the claimant, without requiring a request therefor.

(c)  For the purposes of this section, a claim, or portion thereof, is reasonably contested if the plan has not received the completed claim. A paper claim from an institutional provider shall be deemed complete upon submission of a legible emergency department report and a completed UB 92 or other format adopted by the National Uniform Billing Committee, and reasonable relevant information requested by the plan within 30 working days of receipt of the claim. An electronic claim from an institutional provider shall be deemed complete upon submission of an electronic equivalent to the UB 92 or other format adopted by the National Uniform Billing Committee, and reasonable relevant information requested by the plan within 30 working days of receipt of the claim. However, if the plan requests a copy of the emergency department report within the 30 working days after receipt of the electronic claim from the institutional provider, the plan may also request additional reasonable relevant information within 30 working days of receipt of the emergency department report, at which time the claim shall be deemed complete. A claim from a professional provider shall be deemed complete upon submission of a completed HCFA 1500 or its electronic equivalent or other format adopted by the National Uniform Billing Committee, and reasonable relevant information requested by the plan within 30 working days of receipt of the claim. The provider shall provide the plan reasonable relevant information within 10 working days of receipt of a written request that is clear and specific regarding the information sought. If, as a result of reviewing the reasonable relevant information, the plan requires further information, the plan shall have an additional 15 working days after receipt of the reasonable relevant information to request the further information, notwithstanding any time limit to the contrary in this section, at which time the claim shall be deemed complete.

(d)  This section shall not apply to claims about which there is evidence of fraud and misrepresentation, to eligibility determinations, or in instances where the plan has not been granted reasonable access to information under the provider’s control. A plan shall specify, in a written notice sent to the provider within the respective 30- or 45-working days of receipt of the claim, which, if any, of these exceptions applies to a claim.

(e)  If a claim or portion thereof is contested on the basis that the plan has not received information reasonably necessary to determine payer liability for the claim or portion thereof, then the plan shall have 30 working days or, if the health care service plan is a health maintenance organization, 45 working days after receipt of this additional information to complete reconsideration of the claim. If a claim, or portion thereof, undergoing reconsideration is not reimbursed by delivery to the claimant’s address of record within the respective 30 or 45 working days after receipt of the additional information, the plan shall pay the greater of fifteen dollars ($15) per year or interest at the rate of 15 percent per annum beginning with the first calendar day after the 30- or 45-working-day period. A health care service plan shall automatically include the fifteen dollars ($15) per year or interest due in the payment made to the claimant, without requiring a request therefor.

(f)  The obligation of the plan to comply with this section shall not be deemed to be waived when the plan requires its medical groups, independent practice associations, or other contracting entities to pay claims for covered services. This section shall not be construed to prevent a plan from assigning, by a written contract, the responsibility to pay interest and late charges pursuant to this section to medical groups, independent practice associations, or other entities.

(g)  A plan shall not delay payment on a claim from a physician or other provider to await the submission of a claim from a hospital or other provider, without citing specific rationale as to why the delay was necessary and providing a monthly update regarding the status of the claim and the plan’s actions to resolve the claim, to the provider that submitted the claim.

(h)  A health care service plan shall not request or require that a provider waive its rights pursuant to this section.

(i)  This section shall not apply to capitated payments.

(j)  This section shall apply only to claims for services rendered to a patient who was provided emergency services and care as defined in Section 1317.1 in the United States on or after September 1, 1999.

(k)  This section shall not be construed to affect the rights or obligations of any person pursuant to Section 1371.

( l)  This section shall not be construed to affect a written agreement, if any, of a provider to submit bills within a specified time period.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1371.36.  

(a)  A health care service plan shall not deny payment of a claim on the basis that the plan, medical group, independent practice association, or other contracting entity did not provide authorization for health care services that were provided in a licensed acute care hospital and that were related to services that were previously authorized, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1)  It was medically necessary to provide the services at the time.

(2)  The services were provided after the plan’s normal business hours.

(3)  The plan does not maintain a system that provides for the availability of a plan representative or an alternative means of contact through an electronic system, including voicemail or electronic mail, whereby the plan can respond to a request for authorization within 30 minutes of the time that a request was made.

(b)  This section shall not apply to investigational or experimental therapies, or other noncovered services.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 825, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2001. See identical section added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827.)

1371.36.  

(a)  A health care service plan shall not deny payment of a claim on the basis that the plan, medical group, independent practice association, or other contracting entity did not provide authorization for health care services that were provided in a licensed acute care hospital and that were related to services that were previously authorized, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1)  It was medically necessary to provide the services at the time.

(2)  The services were provided after the plan’s normal business hours.

(3)  The plan does not maintain a system that provides for the availability of a plan representative or an alternative means of contact through an electronic system, including voicemail or electronic mail, whereby the plan can respond to a request for authorization within 30 minutes of the time that a request was made.

(b)  This section shall not apply to investigational or experimental therapies, or other noncovered services.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1371.37.  

(a)  A health care service plan is prohibited from engaging in an unfair payment pattern, as defined in this section.

(b)  Consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 1371.39, the director may investigate a health care service plan to determine whether it has engaged in an unfair payment pattern.

(c)  An “unfair payment pattern,” as used in this section, means any of the following:

(1)  Engaging in a demonstrable and unjust pattern, as defined by the department, of reviewing or processing complete and accurate claims that results in payment delays.

(2)  Engaging in a demonstrable and unjust pattern, as defined by the department, of reducing the amount of payment or denying complete and accurate claims.

(3)  Failing on a repeated basis to pay the uncontested portions of a claim within the timeframes specified in Section 1371, 1371.1, or 1371.35.

(4)  Failing on a repeated basis to automatically include the interest due on claims pursuant to Section 1371.

(d)  (1)  Upon a final determination by the director that a health care service plan has engaged in an unfair payment pattern, the director may:

(A)  Impose monetary penalties as permitted under this chapter.

(B)  Require the health care service plan for a period of three years from the date of the director’s determination, or for a shorter period prescribed by the director, to pay complete and accurate claims from the provider within a shorter period of time than that required by Section 1371. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not become operative until January 1, 2002.

(C)  Include a claim for costs incurred by the department in any administrative or judicial action, including investigative expenses and the cost to monitor compliance by the plan.

(2)  For any overpayment made by a health care service plan while subject to the provisions of paragraph (1), the provider shall remain liable to the plan for repayment pursuant to Section 1371.1.

(e)  The enforcement remedies provided in this section are not exclusive and shall not limit or preclude the use of any otherwise available criminal, civil, or administrative remedy.

(f)  The penalties set forth in this section shall not preclude, suspend, affect, or impact any other duty, right, responsibility, or obligation under a statute or under a contract between a health care service plan and a provider.

(g)  A health care service plan may not delegate any statutory liability under this section.

(h)  For the purposes of this section, “complete and accurate claim” has the same meaning as that provided in the regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1371.38.

(i)  On or before December 31, 2001, the department shall report to the Legislature and the Governor information regarding the development of the definition of “unjust pattern” as used in this section. This report shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the process used and a list of the parties involved in the department’s development of this definition as well as recommendations for statutory adoption.

(j)  The department shall make available upon request and on its web site, information regarding actions taken pursuant to this section, including a description of the activities that were the basis for the action.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 825, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2001. See identical section added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827.)

1371.37.  

(a)  A health care service plan is prohibited from engaging in an unfair payment pattern, as defined in this section.

(b)  Consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 1371.39, the director may investigate a health care service plan to determine whether it has engaged in an unfair payment pattern.

(c)  An “unfair payment pattern,” as used in this section, means any of the following:

(1)  Engaging in a demonstrable and unjust pattern, as defined by the department, of reviewing or processing complete and accurate claims that results in payment delays.

(2)  Engaging in a demonstrable and unjust pattern, as defined by the department, of reducing the amount of payment or denying complete and accurate claims.

(3)  Failing on a repeated basis to pay the uncontested portions of a claim within the timeframes specified in Section 1371, 1371.1, or 1371.35.

(4)  Failing on a repeated basis to automatically include the interest due on claims pursuant to Section 1371.

(d)  (1)  Upon a final determination by the director that a health care service plan has engaged in an unfair payment pattern, the director may:

(A)  Impose monetary penalties as permitted under this chapter.

(B)  Require the health care service plan for a period of three years from the date of the director’s determination, or for a shorter period prescribed by the director, to pay complete and accurate claims from the provider within a shorter period of time than that required by Section 1371. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not become operative until January 1, 2002.

(C)  Include a claim for costs incurred by the department in any administrative or judicial action, including investigative expenses and the cost to monitor compliance by the plan.

(2)  For any overpayment made by a health care service plan while subject to the provisions of paragraph (1), the provider shall remain liable to the plan for repayment pursuant to Section 1371.1.

(e)  The enforcement remedies provided in this section are not exclusive and shall not limit or preclude the use of any otherwise available criminal, civil, or administrative remedy.

(f)  The penalties set forth in this section shall not preclude, suspend, affect, or impact any other duty, right, responsibility, or obligation under a statute or under a contract between a health care service plan and a provider.

(g)  A health care service plan may not delegate any statutory liability under this section.

(h)  For the purposes of this section, “complete and accurate claim” has the same meaning as that provided in the regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1371.38.

(i)  On or before December 31, 2001, the department shall report to the Legislature and the Governor information regarding the development of the definition of “unjust pattern” as used in this section. This report shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the process used and a list of the parties involved in the department’s development of this definition as well as recommendations for statutory adoption.

(j)  The department shall make available upon request and on its website, information regarding actions taken pursuant to this section, including a description of the activities that were the basis for the action.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1371.38.  

(a)  The department shall, on or before July 1, 2001, adopt regulations that ensure that plans have adopted a dispute resolution mechanism pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1367. The regulations shall require that any dispute resolution mechanism of a plan is fair, fast, and cost-effective for contracting and noncontracting providers and define the term “complete and accurate claim, including attachments and supplemental information or documentation.”

(b)  On or before December 31, 2001, the department shall report to the Governor and the Legislature its recommendations for any additional statutory requirements relating to plan and provider dispute resolution mechanisms.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 825, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001. See identical section added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827.)

1371.38.  

(a)  The department shall, on or before July 1, 2001, adopt regulations that ensure that plans have adopted a dispute resolution mechanism pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1367. The regulations shall require that any dispute resolution mechanism of a plan is fair, fast, and cost-effective for contracting and non-contracting providers and define the term “complete and accurate claim, including attachments and supplemental information or documentation.”

(b)  On or before December 31, 2001, the department shall report to the Governor and the Legislature its recommendations for any additional statutory requirements relating to plan and provider dispute resolution mechanisms.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1371.39.  

(a)  Providers may report to the department’s Office of Plan and Provider Relations, either through the toll-free provider line (877-525-1295) or e-mail address (plans-providers@dmhc.ca.gov), instances in which the provider believes a plan is engaging in an unfair payment pattern.

(b)  Plans may report to the department’s Office of Plan and Provider Relations, either through the toll-free provider line (877-525-1295) or e-mail address (plans-providers@dmhc.ca.gov), instances in which the plan believes a provider is engaging in an unfair billing pattern.

(1)  “Unfair billing pattern” means engaging in a demonstrable and unjust pattern of unbundling of claims, upcoding of claims, or other demonstrable and unjustified billing patterns, as defined by the department.

(2)  The department shall convene appropriate state agencies to make recommendations by July 1, 2001, to the Legislature and the Governor for the purpose of developing a system for responding to unfair billing patterns as defined in this section. This section shall include a process by which information is made available to the public regarding actions taken against providers for unfair billing patterns and the activities that were the basis for the action.

(c)  On or before December 31, 2001, the department shall report to the Legislature and the Governor information regarding the development of the definition of “unfair billing pattern” as used in this section. This report shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the process used and a list of the parties involved in the department’s development of this definition as well as recommendations for statutory adoption.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 825, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2001. See identical section added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827.)

1371.39.  

(a)  Providers may report to the department’s Office of Plan and Provider Relations, either through the toll-free provider line (877-525-1295) or e-mail address (plans-providers@dmhc.ca.gov), instances in which the provider believes a plan is engaging in an unfair payment pattern.

(b)  Plans may report to the department’s Office of Plan and Provider Relations, either through the toll-free provider line (877-525-1295) or e-mail address (plans-providers@dmhc.ca.gov), instances in which the plan believes a provider is engaging in an unfair billing pattern.

(1)  “Unfair billing pattern” means engaging in a demonstrable and unjust pattern of unbundling of claims, upcoding of claims, or other demonstrable and unjustified billing patterns, as defined by the department.

(2)  The department shall convene appropriate state agencies to make recommendations by July 1, 2001, to the Legislature and the Governor for the purpose of developing a system for responding to unfair billing patterns as defined in this section. This section shall include a process by which information is made available to the public regarding actions taken against providers for unfair billing patterns and the activities that were the basis for the action.

(c)  On or before December 31, 2001, the department shall report to the Legislature and the Governor information regarding the development of the definition of “unfair billing pattern” as used in this section. This report shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the process used and a list of the parties involved in the department’s development of this definition as well as recommendations for statutory adoption.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 827, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2001.)

1371.4.  

(a) A health care service plan that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, or its contracting medical providers, shall provide 24-hour access for enrollees and providers, including, but not limited to, noncontracting hospitals, to obtain timely authorization for medically necessary care, for circumstances where the enrollee has received emergency services and care is stabilized, but the treating provider believes that the enrollee may not be discharged safely. A physician and surgeon shall be available for consultation and for resolving disputed requests for authorizations. A health care service plan that does not require prior authorization as a prerequisite for payment for necessary medical care following stabilization of an emergency medical condition or active labor need not satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.

(b) A health care service plan, or its contracting medical providers, shall reimburse providers for emergency services and care provided to its enrollees, until the care results in stabilization of the enrollee, except as provided in subdivision (c). As long as federal or state law requires that emergency services and care be provided without first questioning the patient’s ability to pay, a health care service plan shall not require a provider to obtain authorization prior to the provision of emergency services and care necessary to stabilize the enrollee’s emergency medical condition.

(c) Payment for emergency services and care may be denied only if the health care service plan, or its contracting medical providers, reasonably determines that the emergency services and care were never performed; provided that a health care service plan, or its contracting medical providers, may deny reimbursement to a provider for a medical screening examination in cases when the plan enrollee did not require emergency services and care and the enrollee reasonably should have known that an emergency did not exist. A health care service plan may require prior authorization as a prerequisite for payment for necessary medical care following stabilization of an emergency medical condition.

(d) If there is a disagreement between the health care service plan and the provider regarding the need for necessary medical care, following stabilization of the enrollee, the plan shall assume responsibility for the care of the patient either by having medical personnel contracting with the plan personally take over the care of the patient within a reasonable amount of time after the disagreement, or by having another general acute care hospital under contract with the plan agree to accept the transfer of the patient as provided in Section 1317.2, Section 1317.2a, or other pertinent statute. However, this requirement shall not apply to necessary medical care provided in hospitals outside the service area of the health care service plan. If the health care service plan fails to satisfy the requirements of this subdivision, further necessary care shall be deemed to have been authorized by the plan. Payment for this care may not be denied.

(e) A health care service plan may delegate the responsibilities enumerated in this section to the plan’s contracting medical providers.

(f) Subdivisions (b), (c), (d), (g), and (h) shall not apply with respect to a nonprofit health care service plan that has 3,500,000 enrollees and maintains a prior authorization system that includes the availability by telephone within 30 minutes of a practicing emergency department physician.

(g) The Department of Managed Health Care shall adopt by July 1, 1995, on an emergency basis, regulations governing instances when an enrollee requires medical care following stabilization of an emergency medical condition, including appropriate timeframes for a health care service plan to respond to requests for treatment authorization.

(h) The Department of Managed Health Care shall adopt, by July 1, 1999, on an emergency basis, regulations governing instances when an enrollee in the opinion of the treating provider requires necessary medical care following stabilization of an emergency medical condition, including appropriate timeframes for a health care service plan to respond to a request for treatment authorization from a treating provider who has a contract with a plan.

(i) The definitions set forth in Section 1317.1 shall control the construction of this section.

(j) (1) A health care service plan that is contacted by a hospital pursuant to Section 1262.8 shall, within 30 minutes of the time the hospital makes the initial telephone call requesting information, either authorize poststabilization care or inform the hospital that it will arrange for the prompt transfer of the enrollee to another hospital.

(2) A health care service plan that is contacted by a hospital pursuant to Section 1262.8 shall reimburse the hospital for poststabilization care rendered to the enrollee if any of the following occur:

(A) The health care service plan authorizes the hospital to provide poststabilization care.

(B) The health care service plan does not respond to the hospital’s initial contact or does not make a decision regarding whether to authorize poststabilization care or to promptly transfer the enrollee within the timeframe set forth in paragraph (1).

(C) There is an unreasonable delay in the transfer of the enrollee, and the noncontracting physician and surgeon determines that the enrollee requires poststabilization care.

(3) A health care service plan shall not require a hospital representative or a noncontracting physician and surgeon to make more than one telephone call pursuant to Section 1262.8 to the number provided in advance by the health care service plan. The representative of the hospital that makes the telephone call may be, but is not required to be, a physician and surgeon.

(4) An enrollee who is billed by a hospital in violation of Section 1262.8 may report receipt of the bill to the health care service plan and the department. The department shall forward that report to the State Department of Public Health.

(5) For purposes of this section, “poststabilization care” means medically necessary care provided after an emergency medical condition has been stabilized.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 603, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2009.)

1371.5.  

(a)  No health care service plan that provides basic health care services shall require prior authorization or refuse to pay for any ambulance or ambulance transport services, referred to in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 1345, provided to an enrollee as a result of a “911” emergency response system request for assistance if either of the following conditions apply:

(1)  The request was made for an emergency medical condition and ambulance transport services were required.

(2)  An enrollee reasonably believed that the medical condition was an emergency medical condition and reasonably believed that the condition required ambulance transport services.

(b)  As used in this section, “emergency medical condition” has the same meaning as in Section 1317.1.

(c)  The determination as to whether an enrollee reasonably believed that the medical condition was an emergency medical condition that required an emergency response shall not be based solely upon a retrospective analysis of the level of care eventually provided to, or a final discharge of, the person who received emergency assistance.

(d)  A health care service plan shall not be required to pay for any ambulance or ambulance transport services if the health care service plan determines that the ambulance or ambulance transport services were never performed, an emergency condition did not exist, or upon findings of fraud, incorrect billings, the provision of services that were not covered under the member’s current benefit plan, or membership that was invalid at the time services were delivered for the pending emergency claim.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 979, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1999.)

1371.8.  

A health care service plan that authorizes a specific type of treatment by a provider shall not rescind or modify this authorization after the provider renders the health care service in good faith and pursuant to the authorization for any reason, including, but not limited to, the plan’s subsequent rescission, cancellation, or modification of the enrollee’s or subscriber’s contract or the plan’s subsequent determination that it did not make an accurate determination of the enrollee’s or subscriber’s eligibility. This section shall not be construed to expand or alter the benefits available to the enrollee or subscriber under a plan. The Legislature finds and declares that by adopting the amendments made to this section by Assembly Bill 1324 of the 2007–08 Regular Session it does not intend to instruct a court as to whether or not the amendments are existing law.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 702, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)

1372.  

Subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter, a plan may offer one or more plan contracts or specialized health care service plan contracts, except that a specialized health care service plan contract shall not offer one or more basic health care services except as may be permitted by rule or order of the director. Advertising, disclosure forms, contract forms, and evidences of coverage for more than one type of plan contract or specialized health care service plan contract, or both, may not be used except as authorized by the director pursuant to this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 108. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)

1373.  

(a) (1) A plan contract may not provide an exception for other coverage if the other coverage is entitlement to Medi-Cal benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or Medicaid benefits under Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(2) Each plan contract shall be interpreted not to provide an exception for the Medi-Cal or Medicaid benefits.

(3) A plan contract shall not provide an exemption for enrollment because of an applicant’s entitlement to Medi-Cal benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or Medicaid benefits under Subchapter 19 (commencing with Section 1396) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(4) A plan contract may not provide that the benefits payable thereunder are subject to reduction if the individual insured has entitlement to the Medi-Cal or Medicaid benefits.

(b) (1) A plan contract that provides coverage, whether by specific benefit or by the effect of general wording, for sterilization operations or procedures shall not impose any disclaimer, restriction on, or limitation of, coverage relative to the covered individual’s reason for sterilization.

(2) As used in this section, “sterilization operations or procedures” shall have the same meaning as that specified in Section 10120 of the Insurance Code.

(c) Every plan contract that provides coverage to the spouse or dependents of the subscriber or spouse shall grant immediate accident and sickness coverage, from and after the moment of birth, to each newborn infant of any subscriber or spouse covered and to each minor child placed for adoption from and after the date on which the adoptive child’s birth parent or other appropriate legal authority signs a written document, including, but not limited to, a health facility minor release report, a medical authorization form, or a relinquishment form, granting the subscriber or spouse the right to control health care for the adoptive child or, absent this written document, on the date there exists evidence of the subscriber’s or spouse’s right to control the health care of the child placed for adoption. No plan may be entered into or amended if it contains any disclaimer, waiver, or other limitation of coverage relative to the coverage or insurability of newborn infants of, or children placed for adoption with, a subscriber or spouse covered as required by this subdivision.

(d) (1) Every plan contract that provides that coverage of a dependent child of a subscriber shall terminate upon attainment of the limiting age for dependent children specified in the plan, shall also provide that attainment of the limiting age shall not operate to terminate the coverage of the child while the child is and continues to meet both of the following criteria:

(A) Incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of a physically or mentally disabling injury, illness, or condition.

(B) Chiefly dependent upon the subscriber for support and maintenance.

(2) The plan shall notify the subscriber that the dependent child’s coverage will terminate upon attainment of the limiting age unless the subscriber submits proof of the criteria described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) to the plan within 60 days of the date of receipt of the notification. The plan shall send this notification to the subscriber at least 90 days prior to the date the child attains the limiting age. Upon receipt of a request by the subscriber for continued coverage of the child and proof of the criteria described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), the plan shall determine whether the child meets that criteria before the child attains the limiting age. If the plan fails to make the determination by that date, it shall continue coverage of the child pending its determination.

(3) The plan may subsequently request information about a dependent child whose coverage is continued beyond the limiting age under this subdivision but not more frequently than annually after the two-year period following the child’s attainment of the limiting age.

(4) If the subscriber changes carriers to another plan or to a health insurer, the new plan or insurer shall continue to provide coverage for the dependent child. The new plan or insurer may request information about the dependent child initially and not more frequently than annually thereafter to determine if the child continues to satisfy the criteria in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1). The subscriber shall submit the information requested by the new plan or insurer within 60 days of receiving the request.

(5) (A) Except as set forth in subparagraph (B), under no circumstances shall the limiting age be less than 26 years of age with respect to plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010.

(B) For plan years beginning before January 1, 2014, a group health care service plan contract that qualifies as a grandfathered health plan under Section 1251 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) and that makes available dependent coverage of children may exclude from coverage an adult child who has not attained 26 years of age only if the adult child is eligible to enroll in an eligible employer-sponsored health plan, as defined in Section 5000A(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, other than a group health plan of a parent.

(C) (i) With respect to a child (I) whose coverage under a group or individual plan contract ended, or who was denied or not eligible for coverage under a group or individual plan contract, because under the terms of the contract the availability of dependent coverage of children ended before the attainment of 26 years of age, and (II) who becomes eligible for that coverage by reason of the application of this paragraph, the health care service plan shall give the child an opportunity to enroll that shall continue for at least 30 days. This opportunity and the notice described in clause (ii) shall be provided not later than the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010, consistent with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any additional federal guidance or regulations issued by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(ii)  The health care service plan shall provide written notice stating that a dependent described in clause (i) who has not attained 26 years of age is eligible to enroll in the plan for coverage. This notice may be provided to the dependent’s parent on behalf of the dependent. If the notice is included with other enrollment materials for a group plan, the notice shall be prominent.

(iii) In the case of an individual who enrolls under this subparagraph, coverage shall take effect no later than the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010.

(iv) A dependent enrolling in a group health plan for coverage pursuant to this subparagraph shall be treated as a special enrollee as provided under the rules of Section 146.117(d) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The health care service plan shall offer the recipient of the notice all of the benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage by reason of cessation of dependent status. Any difference in benefits or cost-sharing requirements shall constitute a different benefit package. A dependent enrolling in a group health plan for coverage pursuant to this subparagraph shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage by reason of cessation of dependent status.

(D) Nothing in this section shall require a health care service plan to make coverage available for a child of a child receiving dependent coverage. Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify the definition of “dependent” as used in the Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the tax treatment of the cost of coverage.

(e) A plan contract that provides coverage, whether by specific benefit or by the effect of general wording, for both an employee and one or more covered persons dependent upon the employee and provides for an extension of the coverage for any period following a termination of employment of the employee shall also provide that this extension of coverage shall apply to dependents upon the same terms and conditions precedent as applied to the covered employee, for the same period of time, subject to payment of premiums, if any, as required by the terms of the policy and subject to any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

(f) A group contract shall not discriminate against handicapped persons or against groups containing handicapped persons. Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude reasonable provisions in a plan contract against liability for services or reimbursement of the handicap condition or conditions relating thereto, as may be allowed by rules of the director.

(g) Every group contract shall set forth the terms and conditions under which subscribers and enrollees may remain in the plan in the event the group ceases to exist, the group contract is terminated, or an individual subscriber leaves the group, or the enrollees’ eligibility status changes.

(h) (1) A health care service plan or specialized health care service plan may provide for coverage of, or for payment for, professional mental health services, or vision care services, or for the exclusion of these services. If the terms and conditions include coverage for services provided in a general acute care hospital or an acute psychiatric hospital as defined in Section 1250 and do not restrict or modify the choice of providers, the coverage shall extend to care provided by a psychiatric health facility as defined in Section 1250.2 operating pursuant to licensure by the State Department of Health Care Services. A health care service plan that offers outpatient mental health services but does not cover these services in all of its group contracts shall communicate to prospective group contractholders as to the availability of outpatient coverage for the treatment of mental or nervous disorders.

(2) No plan shall prohibit the member from selecting any psychologist who is licensed pursuant to the Psychology Licensing Law (Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code), any optometrist who is the holder of a certificate issued pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code or, upon referral by a physician and surgeon licensed pursuant to the Medical Practice Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code), (A) any marriage and family therapist who is the holder of a license under Section 4980.50 of the Business and Professions Code, (B) any licensed clinical social worker who is the holder of a license under Section 4996 of the Business and Professions Code, (C) any registered nurse licensed pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, who possesses a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing and is listed as a psychiatric-mental health nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing, (D) any advanced practice registered nurse certified as a clinical nurse specialist pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 2838) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code who participates in expert clinical practice in the specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing, to perform the particular services covered under the terms of the plan, and the certificate holder is expressly authorized by law to perform these services, or (E) any professional clinical counselor who is the holder of a license under Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any certificate holder or licensee enumerated in this section to perform professional mental health services beyond his or her field or fields of competence as established by his or her education, training, and experience.

(4) For the purposes of this section:

(A) “Marriage and family therapist” means a licensed marriage and family therapist who has received specific instruction in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of premarital, marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions, which is equivalent to the instruction required for licensure on January 1, 1981.

(B) “Professional clinical counselor” means a licensed professional clinical counselor who has received specific instruction in assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of mental and emotional disorders, which is equivalent to the instruction required for licensure on January 1, 2012.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a member to select and obtain mental health or psychological or vision care services from a certificate holder or licenseholder who is not directly affiliated with or under contract to the health care service plan or specialized health care service plan to which the member belongs. All health care service plans and individual practice associations that offer mental health benefits shall make reasonable efforts to make available to their members the services of licensed psychologists. However, a failure of a plan or association to comply with the requirements of the preceding sentence shall not constitute a misdemeanor.

(6) As used in this subdivision, “individual practice association” means an entity as defined in subsection (5) of Section 1307 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300e-1(5)).

(7) Health care service plan coverage for professional mental health services may include community residential treatment services that are alternatives to inpatient care and that are directly affiliated with the plan or to which enrollees are referred by providers affiliated with the plan.

(i) If the plan utilizes arbitration to settle disputes, the plan contracts shall set forth the type of disputes subject to arbitration, the process to be utilized, and how it is to be initiated.

(j) A plan contract that provides benefits that accrue after a certain time of confinement in a health care facility shall specify what constitutes a day of confinement or the number of consecutive hours of confinement that are requisite to the commencement of benefits.

(k) If a plan provides coverage for a dependent child who is over 26 years of age and enrolled as a full-time student at a secondary or postsecondary educational institution, the following shall apply:

(1) Any break in the school calendar shall not disqualify the dependent child from coverage.

(2) If the dependent child takes a medical leave of absence, and the nature of the dependent child’s injury, illness, or condition would render the dependent child incapable of self-sustaining employment, the provisions of subdivision (d) shall apply if the dependent child is chiefly dependent on the subscriber for support and maintenance.

(3) (A) If the dependent child takes a medical leave of absence from school, but the nature of the dependent child’s injury, illness, or condition does not meet the requirements of paragraph (2), the dependent child’s coverage shall not terminate for a period not to exceed 12 months or until the date on which the coverage is scheduled to terminate pursuant to the terms and conditions of the plan, whichever comes first. The period of coverage under this paragraph shall commence on the first day of the medical leave of absence from the school or on the date the physician and surgeon determines the illness prevented the dependent child from attending school, whichever comes first. Any break in the school calendar shall not disqualify the dependent child from coverage under this paragraph.

(B) Documentation or certification of the medical necessity for a leave of absence from school shall be submitted to the plan at least 30 days prior to the medical leave of absence from the school, if the medical reason for the absence and the absence are foreseeable, or 30 days after the start date of the medical leave of absence from school and shall be considered prima facie evidence of entitlement to coverage under this paragraph.

(4) This subdivision shall not apply to a specialized health care service plan or to a Medicare supplement plan.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 23, Sec. 14. Effective June 27, 2013.)

1373.1.  

Every group plan entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 1977, which provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers and their dependents, and which contains provisions granting the employee or subscriber the right to convert the coverage in the event of termination of employment or membership, shall include in such conversion provisions the same conversion rights and conditions to a covered dependent spouse of the employee or subscriber in the event the covered dependent spouse ceases to be a qualified family member by reason of termination of marriage or death of the employee or subscriber. Such conversion rights shall not require a physical examination or a statement of health.

(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1173.)

1373.2.  

Every group health care service plan entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 1976, which provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers and their dependents and which contains provisions granting the employee or subscriber the right to convert the coverage in the event of termination of employment or membership, shall include in such conversion provisions the same conversion rights and conditions to a covered dependent spouse of the employee or subscriber in the event the covered dependent spouse ceases to be a qualified family member by reason of termination of marriage.

(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1079.)

1373.3.  

An enrollee shall not be prohibited from selecting as a primary care physician any available primary care physician who contracts with the plan in the service area where the enrollee lives or works. This section shall apply to any plan contract issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 1996.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 515, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)

1373.4.  

(a) No health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after July 1, 2003, that provides maternity coverage shall do either of the following:

(1) Contain a copayment or deductible for inpatient hospital maternity services that exceeds the most common amount of the copayment or deductible contained in the contract for inpatient services provided for other covered medical conditions.

(2) Contain a copayment or deductible for ambulatory care maternity services that exceeds the most common amount of the copayment or deductible contained in the contract for ambulatory care services provided for other covered medical conditions.

(b) No health care service plan that provides maternity benefits for a person covered continuously from conception shall be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state if it contains any exclusion, reduction, or other limitations as to coverage, deductibles, or coinsurance provisions as to involuntary complications of pregnancy, unless the provisions apply generally to all benefits paid under the plan.

(c) If the pregnancy is interrupted, the maternity deductible charged for prenatal care and delivery shall be based on the value of the medical services received, providing it is never more than two-thirds of the plan’s maternity deductible.

(d) For purposes of this section, involuntary complications of pregnancy shall include, but not be limited to, puerperal infection, eclampsia, cesarean section delivery, ectopic pregnancy, and toxemia.

(e) This section shall not permit copayments or deductibles in the Medi-Cal program that are not otherwise authorized under state or federal law.

(f) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2003.

(Repealed (in Sec. 2) and added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 880, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2003. Section operative July 1, 2003, by its own provisions.)

1373.5.  

When a husband and wife are both employed as employees, and both have enrolled themselves and their eligible family members under a group health care service plan provided by their respective employers, and each spouse is covered as an employee under the terms of the same master contract, each spouse may claim on his or her behalf, or on behalf of his or her enrolled dependents, the combined maximum contractual benefits to which an employee is entitled under the terms of the master contract, not to exceed in the aggregate 100 percent of the charge for the covered expense or service.

This section shall apply to every group plan entered into, delivered, amended, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1978.

(Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 616.)

1373.6.  

This section does not apply to a specialized health care service plan contract or to a plan contract that primarily or solely supplements Medicare. The director may adopt rules consistent with federal law to govern the discontinuance and replacement of plan contracts that primarily or solely supplement Medicare.

(a) (1) Every group contract entered into, amended, or renewed on or after September 1, 2003, that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or members shall provide that an employee or member whose coverage under the group contract has been terminated by the employer shall be entitled to convert to nongroup membership, without evidence of insurability, subject to the terms and conditions of this section.

(2) If the health care service plan provides coverage under an individual health care service plan contract, other than conversion coverage under this section, it shall offer one of the two plans that it is required to offer to a federally eligible defined individual pursuant to Section 1366.35. The plan shall provide this coverage at the same rate established under Section 1399.805 for a federally eligible defined individual. A health care service plan that is federally qualified under the federal Health Maintenance Organization Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300e et seq.) may charge a rate for the coverage that is consistent with the provisions of that act.

(3) If the health care service plan does not provide coverage under an individual health care service plan contract, it shall offer a health benefit plan contract that is the same as a health benefit contract offered to a federally eligible defined individual pursuant to Section 1366.35. The health care service plan may offer either the most popular health maintenance organization model plan or the most popular preferred provider organization plan, each of which has the greatest number of enrolled individuals for its type of plan as of January 1 of the prior year, as reported by plans that provide coverage under an individual health care service plan contract to the department or the Department of Insurance by January 31, 2003, and annually thereafter. A health care service plan subject to this paragraph shall provide this coverage with the same cost-sharing terms and at the same premium as a health care service plan providing coverage to that individual under an individual health care service plan contract pursuant to Section 1399.805. The health care service plan shall file the health benefit plan it will offer, including the premium it will charge and the cost-sharing terms of the plan, with the Department of Managed Health Care.

(b) A conversion contract shall not be required to be made available to an employee or member if termination of his or her coverage under the group contract occurred for any of the following reasons:

(1) The group contract terminated or an employer’s participation terminated and the group contract is replaced by similar coverage under another group contract within 15 days of the date of termination of the group coverage or the subscriber’s participation.

(2) The employee or member failed to pay amounts due the health care service plan.

(3) The employee or member was terminated by the health care service plan from the plan for good cause.

(4) The employee or member knowingly furnished incorrect information or otherwise improperly obtained the benefits of the plan.

(5) The employer’s hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefit program is self-insured.

(c) A conversion contract is not required to be issued to any person if any of the following facts are present:

(1) The person is covered by or is eligible for benefits under Title XVIII of the United States Social Security Act.

(2) The person is covered by or is eligible for hospital, medical, or surgical benefits under any arrangement of coverage for individuals in a group, whether insured or self-insured.

(3) The person is covered for similar benefits by an individual policy or contract.

(4) The person has not been continuously covered during the three-month period immediately preceding that person’s termination of coverage.

(d) Benefits of a conversion contract shall meet the requirements for benefits under this chapter.

(e) Unless waived in writing by the plan, written application and first premium payment for the conversion contract shall be made not later than 63 days after termination from the group. A conversion contract shall be issued by the plan which shall be effective on the day following the termination of coverage under the group contract if the written application and the first premium payment for the conversion contract are made to the plan not later than 63 days after the termination of coverage, unless these requirements are waived in writing by the plan.

(f) The conversion contract shall cover the employee or member and his or her dependents who were covered under the group contract on the date of their termination from the group.

(g) A notification of the availability of the conversion coverage shall be included in each evidence of coverage. However, it shall be the sole responsibility of the employer to notify its employees of the availability, terms, and conditions of the conversion coverage which responsibility shall be satisfied by notification within 15 days of termination of group coverage. Group coverage shall not be deemed terminated until the expiration of any continuation of the group coverage. For purposes of this subdivision, the employer shall not be deemed the agent of the plan for purposes of notification of the availability, terms, and conditions of conversion coverage.

(h) As used in this section, “hospital, medical, or surgical benefits under state or federal law” do not include benefits under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or Title XIX of the United States Social Security Act.

(i) Every group contract entered into, amended, or renewed before September 1, 2003, shall be subject to the provisions of this section as it read prior to its amendment by Assembly Bill 1401 of the 2001–02 Regular Session.

(j) (1) On and after January 1, 2014, and except as provided in paragraph (2), this section shall apply only to individual grandfathered health plan contracts previously issued pursuant to this section to federally eligible defined individuals.

(2) If Section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by Section 1501 of PPACA, is repealed or amended to no longer apply to the individual market, as defined in Section 2791 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300gg-91), paragraph (1) shall become inoperative on the date of that repeal or amendment.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, the following definitions apply:

(A) “Grandfathered health plan” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 1251 of PPACA.

(B) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that law.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 441, Sec. 5. Effective October 1, 2013.)

1373.620.  

(a) (1) At least 60 days prior to the plan renewal date, a health care service plan that does not otherwise issue individual health care service plan contracts shall issue the notice described in paragraph (2) to any subscriber enrolled in an individual health benefit plan contract issued pursuant to Section 1373.6 that is not a grandfathered health plan.

(2) The notice shall be in at least 12-point type and shall include all of the following:

(A) Notice that, as of the renewal date, the individual plan contract will not be renewed.

(B) The availability of individual health coverage through Covered California, including at least all of the following:

(i) That, beginning on January 1, 2014, individuals seeking coverage may not be denied coverage based on health status.

(ii) That the premium rates for coverage offered by a health care service plan or a health insurer cannot be based on an individual’s health status.

(iii) That individuals obtaining coverage through Covered California may, depending upon income, be eligible for premium subsidies and cost-sharing subsidies.

(iv) That individuals seeking coverage must obtain this coverage during an open or special enrollment period, and a description of the open and special enrollment periods that may apply.

(b) (1) At least 60 days prior to the plan renewal date, a health care service plan that issues individual health care service plan contracts shall issue the notice described in paragraph (2) to a subscriber enrolled in an individual health benefit plan contract issued pursuant to Section 1366.35 or 1373.6 that is not a grandfathered health plan.

(2) The notice shall be in at least 12-point type and shall include all of the following:

(A) Notice that, as of the renewal date, the individual plan contract will not be renewed.

(B) Information regarding the individual health plan contract that the health plan will issue as of January 1, 2014, which the health plan has reasonably concluded is the most comparable to the individual’s current plan. The notice shall include information on premiums for the possible replacement plan and instructions that the individual can continue their coverage by paying the premium stated by the due date.

(C) Notice of the availability of other individual health coverage through Covered California, including at least all of the following:

(i) That, beginning on January 1, 2014, individuals seeking coverage may not be denied coverage based on health status.

(ii) That the premium rates for coverage offered by a health care service plan or a health insurer cannot be based on an individual’s health status.

(iii) That individuals obtaining coverage through Covered California may, depending upon income, be eligible for premium subsidies and cost-sharing subsidies.

(iv) That individuals seeking coverage must obtain this coverage during an open or special enrollment period, and a description of the open and special enrollment periods that may apply.

(c) No later than September 1, 2013, the department, in consultation with the Department of Insurance, shall adopt uniform model notices that health plans shall use to comply with subdivisions (a) and (b) and Sections 1366.50, 1373.622, and 1399.861. Use of the model notices shall not require prior approval by the department. The model notices adopted by the department for purposes of this section shall not be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The director may modify the wording of these model notices specifically for the purposes of clarity, readability, and accuracy.

(d) The notices required in this section are vital documents, pursuant to clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1367.04, and shall be subject to the applicable requirements of that section.

(e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Covered California” means the California Health Benefit Exchange established pursuant to Section 100500 of the Government Code.

(2) “Grandfathered health plan” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 1251 of PPACA.

(3) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that law.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 441, Sec. 6. Effective October 1, 2013.)

1373.621.  

(a) Except for a specialized health care service plan, every health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1999, that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense coverage under an employer-sponsored group plan for an employer subject to COBRA, as defined in subdivision (e), or an employer group for which the plan is required to offer Cal-COBRA coverage, as defined in subdivision (f), including a carrier providing replacement coverage under Section 1399.63, shall further offer the former employee the opportunity to continue benefits as required under subdivision (b), and shall further offer the former spouse of an employee or former employee the opportunity to continue benefits as required under subdivision (c).

(b) (1) In the event a former employee who worked for the employer for at least five years prior to the date of termination of employment and who is 60 years of age or older on the date employment ends is entitled to and so elects to continue benefits under COBRA or Cal-COBRA for himself or herself and for any spouse, the employee or spouse may further continue benefits beyond the date coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA ends, as set forth in paragraph (2). Except as otherwise specified, continuation coverage shall be under the same benefit terms and conditions as if the continuation coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA had remained in force. For the employee or spouse, continuation coverage following the end of COBRA or Cal-COBRA is subject to payment of premiums to the health care service plan. Individuals ineligible for COBRA or Cal-COBRA, or who are eligible but have not elected or exhausted continuation coverage under federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA, are not entitled to continuation coverage under this section. Premiums for continuation coverage under this section shall be billed by, and remitted to, the health care service plan in accordance with subdivision (d). Failure to pay the requisite premiums may result in termination of the continuation coverage in accordance with the applicable provisions in the plan’s group subscriber agreement with the former employer.

(2) The employer shall notify the former employee or spouse or both, or the former spouse of the employee or former employee, of the availability of the continuation benefits under this section in accordance with Section 2800.2 of the Labor Code. To continue health care coverage pursuant to this section, the individual shall elect to do so by notifying the plan in writing within 30 calendar days prior to the date continuation coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA is scheduled to end. Every health care service plan and specialized health care service plan shall provide to the employer replacing a health care service plan contract issued by the plan, or to the employer’s agent or broker representative, within 15 days of any written request, information in possession of the plan reasonably required to administer the requirements of Section 2800.2 of the Labor Code.

(3) The continuation coverage shall end automatically on the earlier of (A) the date the individual reaches age 65, (B) the date the individual is covered under any group health plan not maintained by the employer or any other health plan, regardless of whether that coverage is less valuable, (C) the date the individual becomes entitled to Medicare under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, (D) for a spouse, five years from the date on which continuation coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA was scheduled to end for the spouse, or (E) the date on which the employer terminates its group subscriber agreement with the health care service plan and ceases to provide coverage for any active employees through that plan, in which case the health care service plan shall notify the former employee or spouse or both of the right to a conversion plan in accordance with Section 1373.6.

(c) (1) If a former spouse of an employee or former employee was covered as a qualified beneficiary under COBRA or Cal-COBRA, the former spouse may further continue benefits beyond the date coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA ends, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). Except as otherwise specified in this section, continuation coverage shall be under the same benefit terms and conditions as if the continuation coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA had remained in force. Continuation coverage following the end of COBRA or Cal-COBRA is subject to payment of premiums to the health care service plan. Premiums for continuation coverage under this section shall be billed by, and remitted to, the health care service plan in accordance with subdivision (d). Failure to pay the requisite premiums may result in termination of the continuation coverage in accordance with the applicable provisions in the plan’s group subscriber agreement with the employer or former employer.

(2) The continuation coverage for the former spouse shall end automatically on the earlier of (A) the date the individual reaches 65 years of age, (B) the date the individual is covered under any group health plan not maintained by the employer or any other health plan, regardless of whether that coverage is less valuable, (C) the date the individual becomes entitled to Medicare under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, (D) five years from the date on which continuation coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA was scheduled to end for the former spouse, or (E) the date on which the employer or former employer terminates its group subscriber agreement with the health care service plan and ceases to provide coverage for any active employees through that plan.

(d) (1) If the premium charged to the employer for a specific employee or dependent eligible under this section is adjusted for the age of the specific employee, or eligible dependent, on other than a composite basis, the rate for continuation coverage under this section shall not exceed 102 percent of the premium charged by the plan to the employer for an employee of the same age as the former employee electing continuation coverage in the case of an individual who was eligible for COBRA, and 110 percent in the case of an individual who was eligible for Cal-COBRA. If the coverage continued is that of a former spouse, the premium charged shall not exceed 102 percent of the premium charged by the plan to the employer for an employee of the same age as the former spouse selecting continuation coverage in the case of an individual who was eligible for COBRA, and 110 percent in the case of an individual who was eligible for Cal-COBRA.

(2) If the premium charged to the employer for a specific employee or dependent eligible under this section is not adjusted for age of the specific employee, or eligible dependent, then the rate for continuation coverage under this section shall not exceed 213 percent of the applicable current group rate. For purposes of this section, the “applicable current group rate” means the total premiums charged by the health care service plan for coverage for the group, divided by the relevant number of covered persons.

(3) However, in computing the premiums charged to the specific employer group, the health care service plan shall not include consideration of the specific medical care expenditures for beneficiaries receiving continuation coverage pursuant to this section.

(e) For purposes of this section, “COBRA” means Section 4980B of Title 26 of the United States Code, Section 1161 et seq. of Title 29 of the United States Code, and Section 300bb of Title 42 of the United States Code, as added by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-272), and as amended.

(f) For purposes of this section, “Cal-COBRA” means the continuation coverage that must be offered pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 1366.20), or Article 1.7 (commencing with Section 10128.50) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code.

(g) For the purposes of this section, “former spouse” means either an individual who is divorced from an employee or former employee or an individual who was married to an employee or former employee at the time of the death of the employee or former employee.

(h) Every plan evidence of coverage that is issued, amended, or renewed after July 1, 1999, shall contain a description of the provisions and eligibility requirements for the continuation coverage offered pursuant to this section.

(i) This section does not apply to any individual who is not eligible for its continuation coverage prior to January 1, 2005.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 441, Sec. 7. Effective October 1, 2013.)

1373.622.  

(a) (1) After the termination of the pilot program under Section 1373.62, a health care service plan shall continue to provide coverage under the same terms and conditions specified in Section 1376.62 as it existed on January 1, 2007, including the terms of the standard benefit plan and the subscriber payment amount, to each individual who was terminated from the program pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 12725 of the Insurance Code during the term of the pilot program and who enrolled or applied to enroll in a standard benefit plan within 63 days of termination. The State Department of Health Care Services shall continue to pay the amount described in Section 1376.62 for each of those individuals. A health care service plan shall not be required to offer the coverage described in Section 1373.62 after the termination of the pilot program to individuals not already enrolled in the program.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subdivision or Section 1373.62 as it existed on January 1, 2007, the following rules shall apply:

(A) (i) A health care service plan shall not be obligated to provide coverage to any individual pursuant to this section on or after January 1, 2014.

(ii) The State Department of Health Care Services shall not be obligated to provide any payment to any health care service plan under this section for (I) health care expenses incurred on or after January 1, 2014, or (II) the standard monthly administrative fee, as defined in Section 1373.62 as it existed on January 1, 2007, for any month after December 2013.

(B) Each health care service plan providing coverage pursuant to this section shall, on or before October 1, 2013, send a notice to each individual enrolled in a standard benefit plan that is in at least 12-point type and with, at minimum, the following information:

(i) Notice as to whether or not the plan will terminate as of January 1, 2014.

(ii) The availability of individual health coverage, including through Covered California, including at least all of the following:

(I) That, beginning on January 1, 2014, individuals seeking coverage may not be denied coverage based on health status.

(II) That the premium rates for coverage offered by a health care service plan or a health insurer cannot be based on an individual’s health status.

(III) That individuals obtaining coverage through Covered California may, depending upon income, be eligible for premium subsidies and cost-sharing subsidies.

(IV) That individuals seeking coverage must obtain this coverage during an open or special enrollment period, and a description of the open and special enrollment periods that may apply.

(C) As a condition of receiving payment for a reporting period pursuant to this section, a health care service plan shall provide the State Department of Health Care Services with a complete, final annual reconciliation report by the earlier of December 31, 2014, or an earlier date as prescribed by Section 1373.62, as it existed on January 1, 2007, for that reporting period. To the extent that it receives a complete, final reconciliation report for a reporting period by the date required pursuant to this subparagraph, the State Department of Health Care Services shall complete reconciliation with the health care service plan for that reporting period within 18 months after receiving the report.

(b) If the state fails to expend, pursuant to this section, sufficient funds for the state’s contribution amount to any health care service plan, the health care service plan may increase the monthly payments that its subscribers are required to pay for any standard benefit plan to the amount that the State Department of Health Care Services would charge without a state subsidy for the same plan issued to the same individual within the program.

(c) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the State Department of Health Care Services may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of all-county letters, plan letters, plan or provider bulletins, or similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 18, Sec. 8. Effective June 24, 2015.)

1373.65.  

(a) At least 75 days prior to the termination date of its contract with a provider group or a general acute care hospital, the health care service plan shall submit an enrollee block transfer filing to the department that includes the written notice the plan proposes to send to affected enrollees. The plan may not send this notice to enrollees until the department has reviewed and approved its content. If the department does not respond within seven days of the date of its receipt of the filing, the notice shall be deemed approved.

(b) At least 60 days prior to the termination date of a contract between a health care service plan and a provider group or a general acute care hospital, the plan shall send the written notice described in subdivision (a) by United States mail to enrollees who are assigned to the terminated provider group or hospital. A plan that is unable to comply with the timeframe because of exigent circumstances shall apply to the department for a waiver. The plan is excused from complying with this requirement only if its waiver application is granted by the department or the department does not respond within seven days of the date of its receipt of the waiver application. If the terminated provider is a hospital and the plan assigns enrollees to a provider group with exclusive admitting privileges to the hospital, the plan shall send the written notice to each enrollee who is a member of the provider group and who resides within a 15-mile radius of the terminated hospital. If the plan operates as a preferred provider organization or assigns members to a provider group with admitting privileges to hospitals in the same geographic area as the terminated hospital, the plan shall send the written notice to all enrollees who reside within a 15-mile radius of the terminated hospital.

(c) The health care service plan shall send enrollees of a preferred provider organization the written notice required by subdivision (b) only if the terminated provider is a general acute care hospital.

(d) If an individual provider terminates his or her contract or employment with a provider group that contracts with a health care service plan, the plan may require that the provider group send the notice required by subdivision (b).

(e) If, after sending the notice required by subdivision (b), a health care service plan reaches an agreement with a terminated provider to renew or enter into a new contract or to not terminate their contract, the plan shall offer each affected enrollee the option to return to that provider. If an affected enrollee does not exercise this option, the plan shall reassign the enrollee to another provider.

(f) A health care service plan and a provider shall include in all written, printed, or electronic communications sent to an enrollee that concern the contract termination or block transfer, the following statement in not less than 8-point type: “If you have been receiving care from a health care provider, you may have a right to keep your provider for a designated time period. Please contact your HMO’s customer service department, and if you have further questions, you are encouraged to contact the Department of Managed Health Care, which protects HMO consumers, by telephone at its toll-free number, 1-888-HMO-2219, or at a TDD number for the hearing impaired at 1-877-688-9891, or online at www.hmohelp.ca.gov.”

(g) For purposes of this section, “provider group” means a medical group, independent practice association, or any other similar organization.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 164, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2005.)

1373.7.  

A health care service plan contract, which is written or issued for delivery outside of California and which provides benefits for California residents that are within the scope of psychological practice, shall not be deemed to prohibit persons covered under the contract from selecting a psychologist licensed in California to perform the services in California which are within the terms of the contract even though the psychologist is not licensed in the state where the contract is written or issued for delivery.

(Added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 558.)

1373.8.  

A health care service plan contract where the plan is licensed to do business in this state and the plan provides coverage that includes California residents, but that may be written or issued for delivery outside of California, and where benefits are provided within the scope of practice of a licensed clinical social worker, a registered nurse licensed pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code who possesses a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing and is listed as a psychiatric-mental health nurse by the Board of Registered Nursing, an advanced practice registered nurse who is certified as a clinical nurse specialist pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 2838) of Chapter 6 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code who participates in expert clinical practice in the specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing, a marriage and family therapist who is the holder of a license under Section 4980.50 of the Business and Professions Code, or a professional clinical counselor who is the holder of a license under Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code shall not be deemed to prohibit persons covered under the contract from selecting those licensed persons in California to perform the services in California that are within the terms of the contract even though the licensees are not licensed in the state where the contract is written or issued for delivery.

It is the intent of the Legislature in amending this section in the 1984 portion of the 1983–84 Legislative Session that persons covered by the contract and those providers of health care specified in this section who are licensed in California should be entitled to the benefits provided by the plan for services of those providers rendered to those persons.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 381, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1373.9.  

(a)   Except in the case of a specialized health care service plan, a health care service plan which negotiates and enters into a contract with professional providers to provide services at alternative rates of payment of the type described in Sections 10133 and 11512 of the Insurance Code, shall give reasonable consideration to timely written proposals for affiliation by licensed or certified professional providers.

(b)  For the purposes of this section, the following definitions are applicable:

(1)  “Reasonable consideration” means consideration in good faith of the terms of proposals for affiliation prior to the time that contracts for alternative rates of payment are entered into or renewed. A plan may specify the terms and conditions of affiliation to assure cost efficiency, qualification of providers, appropriate utilization of services, accessibility, convenience to persons who would receive the provider’s services, and consistency with the plan’s basic method of operation, but shall not exclude providers because of their category of license.

(2)  “Professional provider” means a holder of a certificate or license under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code, or any initiative act referred to therein, except for those certified or licensed pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2050) or Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 4800), who may, within the scope of their licenses, perform the services of a specific plan benefit defined in the health care service plan’s contracts with its enrollees.

(c)  A plan which has an affiliation with an institutional provider or with professional providers is not required by this section to give consideration to affiliation with professional providers who hold the same category of license or certificate and propose to serve a geographic area served adequately by the affiliated providers that provide their professional services as employees or agents of that institutional or professional provider, or contract with that institutional or professional provider to provide professional services.

(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 977, Sec. 1.)

1373.95.  

(a) (1) A health care service plan, other than a specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis, shall file a written continuity of care policy as a material modification with the department before March 31, 2004.

(2) A health care service plan shall include all of the following in its written continuity of care policy:

(A) A description of the plan’s process for the block transfer of enrollees from a terminated provider group or hospital to a new provider group or hospital.

(B) A description of the manner in which the plan facilitates the completion of covered services pursuant to Section 1373.96.

(C) A template of the notice the plan proposes to send to enrollees describing its policy and informing enrollees of their right to completion of covered services.

(D) A description of the plan’s process to review an enrollee’s request for the completion of covered services.

(E) A provision ensuring that reasonable consideration is given to the potential clinical effect on an enrollee’s treatment caused by a change of provider.

(3) If approved by the department, the provisions of the written continuity of care policy shall replace all prior continuity of care policies. The plan shall file a revision of the policy with the department if it makes a material change to it.

(b) (1) The provisions of this subdivision apply to a specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis.

(2) The plan shall file with the department a written policy describing the manner in which it facilitates the continuity of care for a new enrollee who has been receiving services from a nonparticipating mental health provider for an acute, serious, or chronic mental health condition when his or her employer changed health plans. The written policy shall allow the new enrollee a reasonable transition period to continue his or her course of treatment with the nonparticipating mental health provider prior to transferring to a participating provider and shall include the provision of mental health services on a timely, appropriate, and medically necessary basis from the nonparticipating provider. The policy may provide that the length of the transition period take into account on a case-by-case basis, the severity of the enrollee’s condition and the amount of time reasonably necessary to effect a safe transfer. The policy shall ensure that reasonable consideration is given to the potential clinical effect of a change of provider on the enrollee’s treatment for the condition. The policy shall describe the plan’s process to review an enrollee’s request to continue his or her course of treatment with a nonparticipating mental health provider. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require the plan to accept a nonparticipating mental health provider onto its panel for treatment of other enrollees. For purposes of the continuing treatment of the transferring enrollee, the plan may require the nonparticipating mental health provider, as a condition of the right conferred under this section, to enter into its standard mental health provider contract.

(3) A plan may require a nonparticipating mental health provider whose services are continued pursuant to the written policy, to agree in writing to the same contractual terms and conditions that are imposed upon the plan’s participating providers, including location within the plan’s service area, reimbursement methodologies, and rates of payment. If the plan determines that an enrollee’s health care treatment should temporarily continue with his or her existing provider or nonparticipating mental health provider, the plan shall not be liable for actions resulting solely from the negligence, malpractice, or other tortious or wrongful acts arising out of the provisions of services by the existing provider or a nonparticipating mental health provider.

(4) The written policy shall not apply to an enrollee who is offered an out-of-network option or to an enrollee who had the option to continue with his or her previous specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis or mental health provider and instead voluntarily chose to change health plans.

(5) This subdivision shall not apply to a specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis if it includes out-of-network coverage that allows the enrollee to obtain services from his or her existing mental health provider or nonparticipating mental health provider.

(c) The health care service plan, including a specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis, shall provide to all new enrollees notice of its written continuity of care policy and information regarding the process for an enrollee to request a review under the policy and shall provide, upon request, a copy of the written policy to an enrollee.

(d) Nothing in this section shall require a health care service plan or a specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis to cover services or provide benefits that are not otherwise covered under the terms and conditions of the plan contract.

(e) The following definitions apply for the purposes of this section:

(1) “Hospital” means a general acute care hospital.

(2) “Nonparticipating mental health provider” means a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed social worker, or licensed professional clinical counselor who does not contract with the specialized health care service plan that offers professional mental health services on an employer-sponsored group basis.

(3) “Provider group” means a medical group, independent practice association, or any other similar organization.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 381, Sec. 32. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1373.96.  

(a) A health care service plan shall, at the request of an enrollee, provide the completion of covered services as set forth in this section by a terminated provider or by a nonparticipating provider.

(b) (1) The completion of covered services shall be provided by a terminated provider to an enrollee who, at the time of the contract’s termination, was receiving services from that provider for one of the conditions described in subdivision (c).

(2) The completion of covered services shall be provided by a nonparticipating provider to a newly covered enrollee who, at the time his or her coverage became effective, was receiving services from that provider for one of the conditions described in subdivision (c).

(c) The health care service plan shall provide for the completion of covered services for the following conditions:

(1) An acute condition. An acute condition is a medical condition that involves a sudden onset of symptoms due to an illness, injury, or other medical problem that requires prompt medical attention and that has a limited duration. Completion of covered services shall be provided for the duration of the acute condition.

(2) A serious chronic condition. A serious chronic condition is a medical condition due to a disease, illness, or other medical problem or medical disorder that is serious in nature and that persists without full cure or worsens over an extended period of time or requires ongoing treatment to maintain remission or prevent deterioration. Completion of covered services shall be provided for a period of time necessary to complete a course of treatment and to arrange for a safe transfer to another provider, as determined by the health care service plan in consultation with the enrollee and the terminated provider or nonparticipating provider and consistent with good professional practice. Completion of covered services under this paragraph shall not exceed 12 months from the contract termination date or 12 months from the effective date of coverage for a newly covered enrollee.

(3) A pregnancy. A pregnancy is the three trimesters of pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. Completion of covered services shall be provided for the duration of the pregnancy.

(4) A terminal illness. A terminal illness is an incurable or irreversible condition that has a high probability of causing death within one year or less. Completion of covered services shall be provided for the duration of a terminal illness, which may exceed 12 months from the contract termination date or 12 months from the effective date of coverage for a new enrollee.

(5) The care of a newborn child between birth and age 36 months. Completion of covered services under this paragraph shall not exceed 12 months from the contract termination date or 12 months from the effective date of coverage for a newly covered enrollee.

(6) Performance of a surgery or other procedure that is authorized by the plan as part of a documented course of treatment and has been recommended and documented by the provider to occur within 180 days of the contract’s termination date or within 180 days of the effective date of coverage for a newly covered enrollee.

(d) (1) The plan may require the terminated provider whose services are continued beyond the contract termination date pursuant to this section to agree in writing to be subject to the same contractual terms and conditions that were imposed upon the provider prior to termination, including, but not limited to, credentialing, hospital privileging, utilization review, peer review, and quality assurance requirements. If the terminated provider does not agree to comply or does not comply with these contractual terms and conditions, the plan is not required to continue the provider’s services beyond the contract termination date.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed by the terminated provider and the plan or by the individual provider and the provider group, the services rendered pursuant to this section shall be compensated at rates and methods of payment similar to those used by the plan or the provider group for currently contracting providers providing similar services who are not capitated and who are practicing in the same or a similar geographic area as the terminated provider. Neither the plan nor the provider group is required to continue the services of a terminated provider if the provider does not accept the payment rates provided for in this paragraph.

(e) (1) The plan may require a nonparticipating provider whose services are continued pursuant to this section for a newly covered enrollee to agree in writing to be subject to the same contractual terms and conditions that are imposed upon currently contracting providers providing similar services who are not capitated and who are practicing in the same or a similar geographic area as the nonparticipating provider, including, but not limited to, credentialing, hospital privileging, utilization review, peer review, and quality assurance requirements. If the nonparticipating provider does not agree to comply or does not comply with these contractual terms and conditions, the plan is not required to continue the provider’s services.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed upon by the nonparticipating provider and the plan or by the nonparticipating provider and the provider group, the services rendered pursuant to this section shall be compensated at rates and methods of payment similar to those used by the plan or the provider group for currently contracting providers providing similar services who are not capitated and who are practicing in the same or a similar geographic area as the nonparticipating provider. Neither the plan nor the provider group is required to continue the services of a nonparticipating provider if the provider does not accept the payment rates provided for in this paragraph.

(f) The amount of, and the requirement for payment of, copayments, deductibles, or other cost sharing components during the period of completion of covered services with a terminated provider or a nonparticipating provider are the same as would be paid by the enrollee if receiving care from a provider currently contracting with or employed by the plan.

(g) If a plan delegates the responsibility of complying with this section to a provider group, the plan shall ensure that the requirements of this section are met.

(h) This section shall not require a plan to provide for completion of covered services by a provider whose contract with the plan or provider group has been terminated or not renewed for reasons relating to a medical disciplinary cause or reason, as defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 805 of the Business and Profession Code, or fraud or other criminal activity.

(i) This section shall not require a plan to cover services or provide benefits that are not otherwise covered under the terms and conditions of the plan contract. Except as provided in subdivision (l), this section shall not apply to a newly covered enrollee covered under an individual subscriber agreement who is undergoing a course of treatment on the effective date of his or her coverage for a condition described in subdivision (c).

(j) Except as provided in subdivision (l), this section shall not apply to a newly covered enrollee who is offered an out-of-network option or to a newly covered enrollee who had the option to continue with his or her previous health plan or provider and instead voluntarily chose to change health plans.

(k) The provisions contained in this section are in addition to any other responsibilities of a health care service plan to provide continuity of care pursuant to this chapter. Nothing in this section shall preclude a plan from providing continuity of care beyond the requirements of this section.

(l) (1) A health care service plan shall, at the request of a newly covered enrollee under an individual health care service plan contract, arrange for the completion of covered services as set forth in this section by a nonparticipating provider for one of the conditions described in subdivision (c) if the newly covered enrollee meets both of the following:

(A) The newly covered enrollee’s prior coverage was terminated under paragraph (5) or (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 1365 or subdivision (d) or (e) of Section 10273.6 of the Insurance Code between December 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014, inclusive.

(B) At the time his or her coverage became effective, the newly covered enrollee was receiving services from that provider for one of the conditions described in subdivision (c).

(2) The completion of covered services required to be provided under this subdivision apply to services rendered to the newly covered enrollee on and after the effective date of his or her new coverage.

(3) A violation of this subdivision does not constitute a crime under Section 1390.

(m) The following definitions apply for the purposes of this section:

(1) “Individual provider” means a person who is a licentiate, as defined in Section 805 of the Business and Professions Code, or a person licensed under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.

(2) “Nonparticipating provider” means a provider who is not contracted with the enrollee’s health care service plan to provide services under the enrollee’s plan contract.

(3) “Provider” shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (i) of Section 1345.

(4) “Provider group” means a medical group, independent practice association, or any other similar organization.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 4, Sec. 1. Effective March 20, 2014.)

1373.10.  

(a)  On and after January 1, 1985, every health care service plan, that is not a health maintenance organization or is not a plan that enters exclusively into specialized health care service plan contracts, as defined by subdivision (n) of Section 1345, which provides coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, shall offer coverage to group contract holders for expenses incurred as a result of treatment by holders of certificates under Section 4938 of the Business and Professions Code, under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the health care service plan and the group contract holder.

A health care service plan is not required to offer the coverage provided by this section as part of any contract covering employees of a public entity.

(b)  For the purposes of this section, “health maintenance organization” or “HMO” means a public or private organization, organized under the laws of this state, which does all of the following:

(1)  Provides or otherwise makes available to enrolled participants health care services, including at least the following basic health care services: usual physician services, hospitalization, laboratory, X-ray, emergency and preventive services, and out-of-area coverage.

(2)  Is compensated, except for copayments, for the provision of basic health care services listed in paragraph (1) to enrolled participants on a predetermined periodic rate basis.

(3)  Provides physician services primarily directly through physicians who are either employees or partners of the organization, or through arrangements with individual physicians or one or more groups of physicians, organized on a group practice or individual practice basis.

(Added by renumbering Section 1373.4 (as amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 84) by Stats. 1986, Ch. 718, Sec. 3.)

1373.11.  

A health care service plan that offers or provides one or more podiatry services, as defined in Section 2472 of the Business and Professions Code, as a specific podiatric plan benefit shall not refuse to give reasonable consideration to affiliation with podiatrists for the provision of service solely on the basis that they are podiatrists.

(Added by renumbering Section 1373.7 (as added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 163) by Stats. 1986, Ch. 718, Sec. 4.)

1373.12.  

A health care service plan which offers or provides one or more chiropractic services, as defined in Section 7 of the Chiropractic Initiative Act, as a specific chiropractic plan benefit, when those services are not provided pursuant to a contract as described in subdivision (a) of Section 1373.9, shall not refuse to give reasonable consideration to affiliation with chiropractors for provision of services solely on the basis that they are chiropractors. Section 1390 shall not apply to this section.

(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1224, Sec. 1.)

1373.13.  

(a)  It is the intent of the Legislature that all persons licensed in this state to engage in the practice of dentistry shall be accorded equal professional status and privileges, without regard to the degree earned.

(b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no health care service plan shall discriminate, with respect to the provision of, or contracts for, professional services, against a licensed dentist solely on the basis of the educational degree held by the dentist.

(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 729, Sec. 2.)

1373.14.  

Except for a preexisting condition, any health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, which provides coverage on a group or individual basis for long-term care facility services or home-based care shall not exclude persons covered by the plan from receiving these benefits, if they are diagnosed as having any significant destruction of brain tissue with resultant loss of brain function, including, but not limited to, progressive, degenerative, and dementing illnesses, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease, from the coverage offered for long-term care facility services or home-based care.

For purposes of this section, where a particular disease can be determined only with an autopsy, “diagnosed” means clinical diagnosis not dependent on pathological confirmation, but employing nationally accepted criteria.

(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 1049, Sec. 1.)

1373.18.  

Whenever any health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, negotiates and enters into a contract with providers to provide services at alternative rates of payment of the type described in Sections 10133 and 11512 of the Insurance Code, and enrollee copayments are to be based upon a percentage of the fee for services to be rendered, the amount of the enrollee copayment shall be calculated exclusively from the negotiated alternative rate for the service rendered. No health care service plan or provider, negotiating and entering into a contract pursuant to this section, shall charge or collect copayment amounts greater than those calculated in accordance with this section.

This section shall become operative on January 1, 1993.

(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 827, Sec. 1. Section operative January 1, 1993, by its own provisions.)

1373.19.  

Any health care service plan that includes a term that requires the parties to submit to binding arbitration shall, for those cases or disputes for which the total amount of damages claimed is two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) or less, provide for selection by the parties of a single neutral arbitrator who shall have no jurisdiction to award more than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). This provision shall not be subject to waiver, except that nothing in this section shall prevent the parties to an arbitration from agreeing in writing, after a case or dispute has arisen and a request for arbitration has been submitted, to use a tripartite arbitration panel that includes two party-appointed arbitrators or a panel of three neutral arbitrators, or another multiple arbitrator system mutually agreeable to the parties. The agreement shall clearly indicate, in boldface type, that “A case or dispute subject to binding arbitration has arisen between the parties and we mutually agree to waive the requirement that cases or disputes for which the total amount of damages claimed is two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) or less be adjudicated by a single neutral arbitrator.” If the parties agree to waive the requirement to use a single neutral arbitrator, the enrollee or subscriber shall have three business days to rescind the agreement. If the agreement is also signed by counsel of the enrollee or subscriber, the agreement shall be immediately binding and may not be rescinded. If the parties are unable to agree on the selection of a neutral arbitrator, and the plan does not use a professional dispute resolution organization independent of the plan that has a procedure for a rapid selection or default appointment of a neutral arbitrator, the method provided in Section 1281.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure may be utilized.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1093, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)

1373.20.  

(a)  If a plan uses arbitration to settle disputes with enrollees or subscribers, and does not use a professional dispute resolution organization independent of the plan that has a procedure for a rapid selection, or default appointment, of neutral arbitrators, the following requirements shall be met by the plan with respect to the arbitration of the disputes and shall not be subject to waiver:

(1)  If the party seeking arbitration and the plan against which arbitration is sought, in cases or disputes requiring a single neutral arbitrator, are unable to select a neutral arbitrator within 30 days after service of a written demand requesting the designation, it shall be conclusively presumed that the agreed method of selection has failed and the method provided in Section 1281.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure may be utilized.

(2)  In cases or disputes in which the parties have agreed to use a tripartite arbitration panel consisting of two party arbitrators and one neutral arbitrator, and the party arbitrators are unable to agree on the designation of a neutral arbitrator within 30 days after service of a written demand requesting the designation, it shall be conclusively presumed that the agreed method of selection has failed and the method provided in Section 1281.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure may be utilized.

(b)  If a court reviewing a petition filed pursuant to Section 1373.19 or subdivision (a) finds that a party has engaged in dilatory conduct intended to cause delay in proceeding under the arbitration agreement, the court, by order, may award reasonable costs, including attorney fees, incurred in connection with the filing of the petition.

(c)  If a plan uses arbitration to settle disputes with enrollees or subscribers, the following requirements shall be met with respect to extreme hardship cases:

(1)  The plan contract shall contain a provision for the assumption of all or a portion of an enrollee’s or subscriber’s share of the fees and expenses of the neutral arbitrator in cases of extreme hardship.

(2)  The plan shall disclose this provision to subscribers in any evidence of coverage issued or amended after August 1, 1997.

(3)  The plan shall provide enrollees, upon request, with an application for relief under this subdivision, or information on how to obtain an application from the professional dispute resolution organization that will administer the arbitration process. If the plan uses a professional dispute resolution organization independent of the plan, the provision for assumption of the arbitration fees in cases of extreme hardship shall be established and administered by the dispute resolution organization.

(4)  Approval or denial of the application shall be determined by either (A) a professional dispute resolution organization independent of the plan if the plan uses a professional dispute resolution organization, or (B) a neutral arbitrator who is not assigned to hear the underlying dispute, who has been selected pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), and whose fees and expenses are paid for by the plan.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1093, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)

1373.21.  

(a)  If a health care service plan uses arbitration to settle disputes with enrollees or subscribers, it shall require that an arbitration award be accompanied by a written decision to the parties that indicates the prevailing party, the amount of any award and other relevant terms of the award, and the reasons for the award rendered.

(b)  A copy of any modified written decision, including the amount of the award and other relevant terms of the award, the reasons for the award rendered, the name of the arbitrator or arbitrators, but excluding the names of the enrollee, the plan, witnesses, attorneys, providers, health plan employees, and health facilities, shall be provided to the department on a quarterly basis. The department shall make these modified decisions available to the public upon request.

(c)  Subdivision (b) shall not preclude the department from requesting and securing from any plan copies of complete arbitration decisions issued pursuant to subdivision (a) for the purposes of administering this chapter.

(d)  If the department receives a request for information about an arbitration decision obtained by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c), the department shall not release information identifying a person or entity whose name has been or should have been removed from the arbitration decision pursuant to subdivision (b).

(e)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the department, or any plan or person, from disclosing information contained in an arbitration decision if the disclosure is otherwise permitted by law.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 838, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

1374.  

If a health care service plan entered into, amended, or renewed in this state on or after the effective date of this section provides in any manner for coverage for an employee and a covered spouse dependent on such employee, the plan shall not provide for coverage under conditions less favorable for employees than coverage provided for covered spouses dependent upon the employees.

(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 59.)

1374.3.  

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or of a health care service plan contract, every health care service plan shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 3750) of Part 1 of Division 9 of the Family Code and Section 14124.94 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1062, Sec. 18. Effective January 1, 1997.)

1374.5.  

A health care service plan, which is issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 1988, which includes mental health services coverage in nongroup contracts may not include a lifetime waiver for that coverage with respect to any applicant. The lifetime waiver of coverage provision shall be deemed unenforceable.

(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1163, Sec. 1.)

1374.51.  

No plan may utilize any information regarding whether an enrollee’s psychiatric inpatient admission was made on a voluntary or involuntary basis for the purpose of determining eligibility for claim reimbursement.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 506, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2002.)

1374.55.  

(a)  On and after January 1, 1990, every health care service plan contract that is issued, amended, or renewed that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis, where the plan is not a health maintenance organization as defined in Section 1373.10, shall offer coverage for the treatment of infertility, except in vitro fertilization, under those terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the group subscriber and the plan. Every plan shall communicate the availability of that coverage to all group contractholders and to all prospective group contractholders with whom they are negotiating.

(b)  For purposes of this section, “infertility” means either (1) the presence of a demonstrated condition recognized by a licensed physician and surgeon as a cause of infertility, or (2) the inability to conceive a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to a live birth after a year or more of regular sexual relations without contraception. “Treatment for infertility” means procedures consistent with established medical practices in the treatment of infertility by licensed physicians and surgeons including, but not limited to, diagnosis, diagnostic tests, medication, surgery, and gamete intrafallopian transfer. “In vitro fertilization” means the laboratory medical procedures involving the actual in vitro fertilization process.

(c)  On and after January 1, 1990, every health care service plan that is a health maintenance organization, as defined in Section 1373.10, and that issues, renews, or amends a health care service plan contract that provides group coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses shall offer the coverage specified in subdivision (a), according to the terms and conditions that may be agreed upon between the group subscriber and the plan to group contractholders with at least 20 employees to whom the plan is offered. The plan shall communicate the availability of the coverage to those group contractholders and prospective group contractholders with whom the plan is negotiating.

(d)  This section shall not be construed to deny or restrict in any way any existing right or benefit to coverage and treatment of infertility under an existing law, plan, or policy.

(e)  This section shall not be construed to require any employer that is a religious organization to offer coverage for forms of treatment of infertility in a manner inconsistent with the religious organization’s religious and ethical principles.

(f)  (1) This section shall not be construed to require any plan, which is a subsidiary of an entity whose owner or corporate member is a religious organization, to offer coverage for treatment of infertility in a manner inconsistent with that religious organization’s religious and ethical principles.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “subsidiary” of a specified corporation means a corporation more than 45 percent of the voting power of which is owned directly, or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, by the specified corporation.

(g) Consistent with Section 1365.5, coverage for the treatment of infertility shall be offered and, if purchased, provided without discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, domestic partner status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to interfere with the clinical judgment of a physician and surgeon.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 644, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)

1374.56.  

(a)  On and after July 1, 2000, every health care service plan contract, except a specialized health care service plan contract, issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state that provides coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses shall provide coverage for the testing and treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) under the terms and conditions of the plan contract.

(b)  Coverage for treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) shall include those formulas and special food products that are part of a diet prescribed by a licensed physician and managed by a health care professional in consultation with a physician who specializes in the treatment of metabolic disease and who participates in or is authorized by the plan, provided that the diet is deemed medically necessary to avert the development of serious physical or mental disabilities or to promote normal development or function as a consequence of phenylketonuria (PKU).

(c)  Coverage pursuant to this section is not required except to the extent that the cost of the necessary formulas and special food products exceeds the cost of a normal diet.

(d)  For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)  “Formula” means an enteral product or enteral products for use at home that are prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner, or ordered by a registered dietician upon referral by a health care provider authorized to prescribe dietary treatments, as medically necessary for the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU).

(2)  “Special food product” means a food product that is both of the following:

(A)  Prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner for the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU) and is consistent with the recommendations and best practices of qualified health professionals with expertise germane to, and experience in the treatment and care of, phenylketonuria (PKU). It does not include a food that is naturally low in protein, but may include a food product that is specially formulated to have less than one gram of protein per serving.

(B)  Used in place of normal food products, such as grocery store foods, used by the general population.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 541, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

1374.57.  

(a)  No group health care service plan that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers and their dependents shall exclude a dependent child from eligibility or benefits solely because the dependent child does not reside with the employee or subscriber.

(b)  A health care service plan that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers and their dependents shall enroll, upon application by the employer or group administrator, a dependent child of the noncustodial parent when the parent is the employee or subscriber, at any time the noncustodial or custodial parent makes an application for enrollment to the employer or group administrator when a court order for medical support exists. Except as provided in Section 1374.3, the application to the employer or group administrator shall be made within 90 days of the issuance of the court order. In the case of children who are eligible for medicaid, the State Department of Health Services or the district attorney in whose jurisdiction the child resides may make that application.

(c)  This section shall not be construed to require that a health care service plan enroll a dependent who resides outside the plan’s geographic service area, except as provided in Section 1374.3.

(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, all health care service plans shall comply with the standards set forth in Section 1374.3.

(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 147, Sec. 9. Effective July 11, 1994.)

1374.58.  

(a) A group health care service plan that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits shall provide equal coverage to employers or guaranteed associations, as defined in Section 1357, for the registered domestic partner of an employee or subscriber to the same extent, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as provided to a spouse of the employee or subscriber, and shall inform employers and guaranteed associations of this coverage. A plan shall not offer or provide coverage for a registered domestic partner that is not equal to the coverage provided to the spouse of an employee or subscriber, and shall not discriminate in coverage between spouses or domestic partners of a different sex and spouses or domestic partners of the same sex. The prohibitions and requirements imposed by this section are in addition to any other prohibitions and requirements imposed by law.

(b) If an employer or guaranteed association has purchased coverage for spouses and registered domestic partners pursuant to subdivision (a), a health care service plan that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers and their spouses shall enroll, upon application by the employer or group administrator, a registered domestic partner of an employee or subscriber in accordance with the terms and conditions of the group contract that apply generally to all spouses under the plan, including coordination of benefits.

(c) For purposes of this section, the term “domestic partner” shall have the same meaning as that term is used in Section 297 of the Family Code.

(d) (1) A health care service plan may require that the employee or subscriber verify the status of the domestic partnership by providing to the plan a copy of a valid Declaration of Domestic Partnership filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 298 of the Family Code or an equivalent document issued by a local agency of this state, another state, or a local agency of another state under which the partnership was created. The plan may also require that the employee or subscriber notify the plan upon the termination of the domestic partnership.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a health care service plan may require the information described in that paragraph only if it also requests from the employee or subscriber whose spouse is provided coverage, verification of marital status and notification of dissolution of the marriage.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand the requirements of Section 4980B of Title 26 of the United States Code, Section 1161, and following, of Title 29 of the United States Code, or Section 300bb-1, and following, of Title 42 of the United States Code, as added by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-272), and as those provisions may be later amended.

(f) A plan subject to this section that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state on or after January 2, 2005, shall be deemed to provide coverage for registered domestic partners that is equal to the coverage provided to a spouse of an employee or subscriber.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 722, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2012.)

1374.7.  

(a)  No plan shall refuse to enroll any person or accept any person as a subscriber or renew any person as a subscriber after appropriate application on the basis of a person’s genetic characteristics that may, under some circumstances, be associated with disability in that person or that person’s offspring. No plan shall require a higher rate or charge, or offer or provide different terms, conditions, or benefits, on the basis of a person’s genetic characteristics that may, under some circumstances, be associated with disability in that person or that person’s offspring.

(b)  No plan shall seek information about a person’s genetic characteristics for any nontherapeutic purpose.

(c)  No discrimination shall be made in the fees or commissions of a solicitor or solicitor firm for an enrollment or a subscription or the renewal of an enrollment or subscription of any person on the basis of a person’s genetic characteristics that may, under some circumstances, be associated with disability in that person or that person’s offspring.

(d)  “Genetic characteristics” as used in this section means either of the following:

(1)  Any scientifically or medically identifiable gene or chromosome, or combination or alteration thereof, that is known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or his or her offspring, or that is determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that is presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder.

(2)  Inherited characteristics that may derive from the individual or family member, that are known to be a cause of a disease or disorder in a person or his or her offspring, or that are determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and that are presently not associated with any symptoms of any disease or disorder.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 311, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2000.)

1374.75.  

(a)  No health care service plan shall deny, refuse to enroll, refuse to renew, cancel, restrict, or otherwise terminate, exclude, or limit coverage, or charge a different rate for the same coverage, on the basis that the applicant or covered person is, has been, or may be a victim of domestic violence.

(b)  Nothing in this section shall prevent a health care service plan from underwriting coverage on the basis of the medical condition of an individual so long as the consideration of the condition (1) does not take into account whether such an individual’s medical condition was caused by an act of domestic violence, (2) is the same with respect to an applicant or enrollee who is not the subject of domestic violence as with an applicant or enrollee who is the subject of domestic violence, and (3) does not violate any other act, regulation, or rule of law. The fact that an individual is, has been, or may be the subject of domestic violence shall not be considered a medical condition.

(c)  As used in this section, “domestic violence” means domestic violence, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 603, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)

1374.8.  

(a) A health care service plan shall not release any information to an employer that would directly or indirectly indicate to the employer that an employee is receiving or has received services from a health care provider covered by the plan unless authorized to do so by the employee. An insurer that has, pursuant to an agreement, assumed the responsibility to pay compensation pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 3750) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Labor Code, shall not be considered an employer for the purposes of this section.

(b) Nothing in this section prohibits a health care service plan from releasing relevant information described in this section for the purposes set forth in Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 1871) of Part 2 of Division 1 of the Insurance Code.

(c) Nothing in this section prohibits a health care service plan from releasing relevant information described in this section for the purposes set forth in Section 1385.10.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 577, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2015.)

1374.9.  

For violations of Section 1374.7, the director may, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, by order, levy administrative penalties as follows:

(a) Any health care service plan that violates Section 1374.7, or that violates any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this section, is liable for administrative penalties of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each first violation, and of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each second violation, and of not less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) and not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for each subsequent violation.

(b) The administrative penalties shall be paid to the Managed Care Administrative Fines and Penalties Fund and shall be used for the purposes specified in Section 1341.45.

(c) The administrative penalties available to the director pursuant to this section are not exclusive, and may be sought and employed in any combination with civil, criminal, and other administrative remedies deemed advisable by the director to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 607, Sec. 7. Effective September 30, 2008.)

1374.10.  

(a)  Every health care service plan that covers hospital, medical or surgical expenses and which is not qualified as a health maintenance organization under Title XIII of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300e, et seq.) shall make available and offer to include in every group contract entered into on or after January 1, 1979, benefits for home health care as set forth in this section provided by a licensed home health agency subject to the right of the subscriber group to reject the benefits or to select any alternative level of benefits as may be offered by the health care service plan.

In rural areas where there are no licensed home health agencies or in which the supply of home health agency services does not meet the needs of the community, the services of visiting nurses, if available, shall be offered under the health care service plan subject to the terms and conditions set forth in subdivision (b).

(b)  As used in this section:

(1)  “Home health care” means the continued care and treatment of a covered person who is under the direct care and supervision of a physician but only if (i) continued hospitalization would have been required if home health care were not provided, (ii) the home health treatment plan is established and approved by a physician within 14 days after an inpatient hospital confinement has ended and such treatment plan is for the same or related condition for which the covered person was hospitalized, and (iii) home health care commences within 14 days after the hospital confinement has ended. “Home health services” consist of, but shall not be limited to, the following: (i) part-time or intermittent skilled nursing services provided by a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse; (ii) part-time or intermittent home health aide services which provide supportive services in the home under the supervision of a registered nurse or a physical, speech or occupational therapist; (iii) physical, occupational or speech therapy; and (iv) medical supplies, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician and related pharmaceutical services, and laboratory services to the extent such charges or costs would have been covered under the plan if the covered person had remained in the hospital.

(2)  “Home health agency” means a public or private agency or organization licensed by the State Department of Health Services in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1725) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(c)  The plan may contain a limitation on the number of home health visits for which benefits are payable, but the number of such visits shall not be less than 100 in any calendar year or in any continuous 12-month period for each person covered under the plan. Except for a home health aide, each visit by a representative of a home health agency shall be considered as one home health care visit. A visit of four hours or less by a home health aide shall be considered as one home health visit.

(d)  Home health benefits in this section shall be subject to all other provisions of this chapter. In addition, such benefits may be subject to an annual deductible of not more than fifty dollars ($50) for each person covered under a plan, and may be subject to a coinsurance provision which provides coverage of not less than 80 percent of the reasonable charges for such services.

(e)  Nothing in this section shall preclude a plan offering other health care benefits provided in the home.

(f)  Nothing in this section shall relieve any plan from providing all basic health care services as required by subdivision (i) of Section 1367 except that a plan subject to this section may fulfill that requirement with respect to home health services in connection with any particular group contract by providing benefits for home health care as set forth in this section if the subscriber group has not rejected such benefits.

(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1130.)

1374.11.  

No health care service plan shall deny a claim for hospital, medical, surgical, dental, or optometric services for the sole reason that the individual served was confined in a city or county jail or was a juvenile detained in any facility, if such individual is otherwise entitled to reimbursement for such services under such contract and incurs expense for the services so provided during confinement. This provision shall apply to any health care service plan contract entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 1980, whether or not such contract contains any provision terminating benefits under such plan upon an individual’s confinement in a city or county jail or juvenile detention facility.

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 90.)

1374.12.  

No health care service plan contract issued, entered into, or renewed on or after July 1, 1984, shall be deemed to contain any provision restricting the liability of the plan with respect to expenses solely because the expenses were incurred while the member was in a state hospital, if the policy, contract, or agreement would have paid for the services but for the fact that they were provided in a state hospital. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require a plan to pay a state hospital for covered expenses incurred by a member at a rate or charge higher than the plan would pay for such services to a hospital with which the plan has entered a contract providing for alternative rates of payment or limiting payments for services secured by members.

(Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 796, Sec. 1. Effective September 14, 1983.)

1374.13.  

(a) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in subdivision (a) of Section 2290.5 of the Business and Professions Code shall apply.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize the practice of telehealth as a legitimate means by which an individual may receive health care services from a health care provider without in-person contact with the health care provider.

(c) No health care service plan shall require that in-person contact occur between a health care provider and a patient before payment is made for the covered services appropriately provided through telehealth, subject to the terms and conditions of the contract entered into between the enrollee or subscriber and the health care service plan, and between the health care service plan and its participating providers or provider groups.

(d) No health care service plan shall limit the type of setting where services are provided for the patient or by the health care provider before payment is made for the covered services appropriately provided through telehealth, subject to the terms and conditions of the contract entered into between the enrollee or subscriber and the health care service plan, and between the health care service plan and its participating providers or provider groups.

(e) The requirements of this section shall also apply to health care service plan and Medi-Cal managed care plan contracts with the State Department of Health Care Services pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision, this section shall not be interpreted to authorize a health care service plan to require the use of telehealth when the health care provider has determined that it is not appropriate.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 782, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2013.)

1374.15.  

Any health care service plan shall, upon request by any public entity or political subdivision of the state with whom it has entered into a contract, disclose within a reasonable time period, not to exceed 60 calendar days, the method and data used in calculating the rates of payment for the contract.

(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 898, Sec. 2.)

1374.16.  

(a) Every health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, shall establish and implement a procedure by which an enrollee may receive a standing referral to a specialist. The procedure shall provide for a standing referral to a specialist if the primary care physician determines in consultation with the specialist, if any, and the plan medical director or his or her designee, that an enrollee needs continuing care from a specialist. The referral shall be made pursuant to a treatment plan approved by the health care service plan in consultation with the primary care physician, the specialist, and the enrollee, if a treatment plan is deemed necessary to describe the course of the care. A treatment plan may be deemed to be not necessary provided that a current standing referral to a specialist is approved by the plan or its contracting provider, medical group, or independent practice association. The treatment plan may limit the number of visits to the specialist, limit the period of time that the visits are authorized, or require that the specialist provide the primary care physician with regular reports on the health care provided to the enrollee.

(b) Every health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, shall establish and implement a procedure by which an enrollee with a condition or disease that requires specialized medical care over a prolonged period of time and is life-threatening, degenerative, or disabling may receive a referral to a specialist or specialty care center that has expertise in treating the condition or disease for the purpose of having the specialist coordinate the enrollee’s health care. The referral shall be made if the primary care physician, in consultation with the specialist or specialty care center if any, and the plan medical director or his or her designee determines that this specialized medical care is medically necessary for the enrollee. The referral shall be made pursuant to a treatment plan approved by the health care service plan in consultation with the primary care physician, specialist or specialty care center, and enrollee, if a treatment plan is deemed necessary to describe the course of care. A treatment plan may be deemed to be not necessary provided that the appropriate referral to a specialist or specialty care center is approved by the plan or its contracting provider, medical group, or independent practice association. After the referral is made, the specialist shall be authorized to provide health care services that are within the specialist’s area of expertise and training to the enrollee in the same manner as the enrollee’s primary care physician, subject to the terms of the treatment plan.

(c) The determinations described in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be made within three business days of the date the request for the determination is made by the enrollee or the enrollee’s primary care physician and all appropriate medical records and other items of information necessary to make the determination are provided. Once a determination is made, the referral shall be made within four business days of the date the proposed treatment plan, if any, is submitted to the plan medical director or his or her designee.

(d) Subdivisions (a) and (b) do not require a health care service plan to refer to a specialist who, or to a specialty care center that, is not employed by or under contract with the health care service plan to provide health care services to its enrollees, unless there is no specialist within the plan network that is appropriate to provide treatment to the enrollee, as determined by the primary care physician in consultation with the plan medical director as documented in the treatment plan developed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b).

(e) For the purposes of this section, “specialty care center” means a center that is accredited or designated by an agency of the state or federal government or by a voluntary national health organization as having special expertise in treating the life-threatening disease or condition or degenerative and disabling disease or condition for which it is accredited or designated.

(f) As used in this section, a “standing referral” means a referral by a primary care physician to a specialist for more than one visit to the specialist, as indicated in the treatment plan, if any, without the primary care physician having to provide a specific referral for each visit.

(g) This section shall become operative on (1) January 1, 2004, or (2) the date of adoption of an accreditation or designation by an agency of the state or federal government or by a voluntary national health organization of an HIV or AIDS specialist, whichever date is earlier.

(Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 426, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001. Section operative January 1, 2004, or sooner, by its own provisions.)

1374.17.  

(a) A health care service plan shall not deny coverage that is otherwise available under the plan contract for the costs of solid organ or other tissue transplantation services based upon the enrollee or subscriber being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the provision of benefits required by this section, a health care service plan may utilize case management, network providers, utilization review techniques, prior authorization, copayments, or other cost sharing, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan contract and consistent with sound clinical processes and guidelines.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 419, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)

1374.19.  

(a)  This section shall only apply to a health care service plan covering dental services or a specialized health care service plan contract covering dental service pursuant to this chapter.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Coordination of benefits” means the method by which a health care service plan covering dental services or a specialized health care service plan contract, covering dental services, and one or more other health care service plans, specialized health care service plans, or disability insurers, covering dental services, pay their respective reimbursements for dental benefits when an enrollee is covered by multiple health care service plans or specialized health care services plan contracts, or a combination thereof, or a combination of health care service plans or specialized health care service plan contracts and disability insurers.

(2) “Primary dental benefit plan” means a health care service plan or specialized health care service plan contract regulated pursuant to this chapter or a dental insurance policy issued by a disability insurer regulated pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 10110) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code that provides an enrollee or insured with primary dental coverage.

(3) “Secondary dental benefit plan” means a health care service plan or specialized health care service plan contract regulated pursuant to this chapter or a dental insurance policy issued by a disability insurer regulated pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 10110) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code that provides an enrollee or insured with secondary dental coverage.

(c) A health care service plan covering dental services or a specialized health care service plan issuing a specialized health care service plan contract covering dental services shall declare its coordination of benefits policy prominently in its evidence of coverage or contract with both enrollee and subscriber.

(d) When a primary dental benefit plan is coordinating its benefits with one or more secondary dental benefits plans, it shall pay the maximum amount required by its contract with the enrollee or subscriber.

(e) A health care service plan covering dental services or a specialized health care service plan contract covering dental services, when acting as a secondary dental benefit plan, shall pay the lesser of either the amount that it would have paid in the absence of any other dental benefit coverage, or the enrollee’s total out-of-pocket cost payable under the primary dental benefit plan for benefits covered under the secondary plan.

(f) Nothing in this section is intended to conflict with or modify the way in which a health care service plan covering dental services or a specialized health care service plan covering dental services determines which dental benefit plan is primary and which is secondary in coordinating benefits with another plan or insurer pursuant to existing state law or regulation.

(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 164, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)

1374.195.  

(a)  With respect to a contract between a health care service plan or specialized health care service plan and a dentist to provide covered dental services to enrollees of the plan, the contract shall not require a dentist to accept an amount set by the plan as payment for dental care services provided to an enrollee that are not covered services under the enrollee’s plan contract. This subdivision shall only apply to provider contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2011.

(b) A provider shall not charge more for dental services that are not covered services under a plan contract than his or her usual and customary rate for those services. The department shall not be required to enforce this subdivision.

(c) The evidence of coverage and disclosure form, or combined evidence of coverage and disclosure form, for every health care service plan contract covering dental services, or specialized health care service plan contract covering dental services, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2011, shall include the following statement:

IMPORTANT: If you opt to receive dental services that are not covered services under this plan, a participating dental provider may charge you his or her usual and customary rate for those services. Prior to providing a patient with dental services that are not a covered benefit, the dentist should provide to the patient a treatment plan that includes each anticipated service to be provided and the estimated cost of each service. If you would like more information about dental coverage options, you may call member services at [insert appropriate telephone number] or your insurance broker. To fully understand your coverage, you may wish to carefully review this evidence of coverage document.

(d) For purposes of this section, “covered services” or “covered dental services” means dental care services for which the plan is obligated to pay pursuant to an enrollee’s plan contract, or for which the plan would be obligated to pay pursuant to an enrollee’s plan contract but for the application of contractual limitations such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, waiting periods, annual or lifetime maximums, frequency limitations, or alternative benefit payments.

(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 673, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2011.)