Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for services in California.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Managed Healthcare and the Department of Insurance to issue instructions by July 1, 2026 (Sec. 1).

• Requires health plans and insurers to report data by December 31, 2026, including data from delegated entities (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the departments to publish by July 1, 2027, to include (Sec. 1):

• a list of health care services meeting the threshold, and

• eliminate prior authorization requirements for those services by a date no later than January 1, 2028.

• Specifies exceptions where prior authorization may still apply, such as for high-tier drugs, experimental services, or out-of-network providers (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the departments to contract consultants for implementation, ensuring conflict-of-interest protections (Sec. 2).

• Requires that these sections remain effective until January 1, 2034 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text
Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for services in California.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Managed Healthcare and the Department of Insurance to issue instructions by July 1, 2026 (Sec. 1).

• Requires health plans and insurers to report data by December 31, 2026, including data from delegated entities (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the departments to publish by July 1, 2027, to include (Sec. 1):

• a list of health care services meeting the threshold, and

• eliminate prior authorization requirements for those services by a date no later than January 1, 2028.

• Specifies exceptions where prior authorization may still apply, such as for high-tier drugs, experimental services, or out-of-network providers (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the departments to contract consultants for implementation, ensuring conflict-of-interest protections (Sec. 2).

• Requires that these sections remain effective until January 1, 2034 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text
Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text