Amended in Senate April 9, 2014

Senate BillNo. 1053


Introduced by Senator Mitchell

February 18, 2014


An act to amendbegin delete Sections 1367.005 andend deletebegin insert Sectionend insert 1367.25 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amendbegin delete Sections 10112.27 andend deletebegin insert Sectionend insert 10123.196 of the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 1053, as amended, Mitchell. Health care coverage: contraceptives.

Existing law, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), enacts various reforms to the health insurance market. Among other things, PPACA requires a nongrandfathered group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual insurance coverage to provide coverage for and not impose cost sharing requirements for certain preventive services, including those preventive care and screenings for women provided in specified guidelines. PPACA requires those plans and issuers to provide coverage withoutbegin delete cost-sharingend deletebegin insert cost sharingend insert for all federal Food and Drug Administration approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity, as prescribed by a provider, except as specified.

Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law also provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law requires a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy that provides coverage for outpatient prescription drug benefits to provide coverage for a variety of federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription contraceptive methods designated by the plan or insurer, except as specified. Existing law authorizes a religious employer, as defined, to request a contract or policy without coverage of FDA approved contraceptive methods that are contrary to the employer’s religious tenets and, if so requested, requires a contract or policy to be provided without that coverage. Existing law requires an individual or small group health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014, to cover essential health benefits, which are defined to include the health benefits covered by particular benchmark plans.

This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, to provide coverage for all FDA approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products in each contraceptive category outlined by the FDA, as well asbegin insert voluntaryend insert sterilization procedures and contraceptive education and counselingbegin delete, and would prohibit a plan or insurer from engaging in unreasonable medical management, as defined, in providing that coverage. The bill would specify that these benefits are included within the definition of essential health benefits for contracts and policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015end delete. The bill would prohibit a nongrandfathered plan contract or health insurance policy from imposing any cost-sharing requirementsbegin insert or other restrictions or delaysend insert with respect to this coverage, except as specified. The bill would alsobegin delete prohibitend deletebegin insert authorizeend insert a plan or insurerbegin delete from requiringend deletebegin insert to requireend insert a prescription to trigger coverage of FDA approved over-the-counter contraceptive methods and supplies. The bill would retain the provision authorizing a religious employer to request a contract or policy without coverage of FDA approved contraceptive methods that are contrary to the employer’s religious tenets. Because a willful violation of the bill’s requirements by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

P3    1

SECTION 1.  

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of
2the following:

3(a) California has a long history of expanding timely access to
4birth control to prevent unintended pregnancy.

5(b) The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
6includes a contraceptive coverage guarantee as part of a broader
7requirement for health insurance carriers and plans to cover key
8preventive care services without out-of-pocket costs for patients.

9(c) The Legislature intends to build on existing state and federal
10law to ensure greater contraceptive coverage equity and timely
11access to allbegin delete Federalend deletebegin insert federalend insert Food and Drug Administration
12approved methods of birth control for all individuals covered by
13health care service plan contracts and health insurance policies in
14California.

begin delete
15

SEC. 2.  

Section 1367.005 of the Health and Safety Code is
16amended to read:

17

1367.005.  

(a) An individual or small group health care service
18plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1,
192014, shall, at a minimum, include coverage for essential health
20benefits pursuant to PPACA and as outlined in this section. For
21purposes of this section, “essential health benefits” means all of
22the following:

23(1) Health benefits within the categories identified in Section
241302(b) of PPACA: ambulatory patient services, emergency
25services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health
26and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health
27treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services
28and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services
29and chronic disease management, and pediatric services, including
30oral and vision care.

31(2) (A) The health benefits covered by the Kaiser Foundation
32Health Plan Small Group HMO 30 plan (federal health product
33identification number 40513CA035) as this plan was offered during
34the first quarter of 2012, as follows, regardless of whether the
35benefits are specifically referenced in the evidence of coverage or
36plan contract for that plan:

P4    1(i) Medically necessary basic health care services, as defined
2in subdivision (b) of Section 1345 and in Section 1300.67 of Title
328 of the California Code of Regulations.

4(ii) The health benefits mandated to be covered by the plan
5pursuant to statutes enacted before December 31, 2011, as
6described in the following sections: Sections 1367.002, 1367.06,
7and 1367.35 (preventive services for children); Section 1367.25
8(prescription drug coverage for contraceptives); Section 1367.45
9(AIDS vaccine); Section 1367.46 (HIV testing); Section 1367.51
10(diabetes); Section 1367.54 (alpha feto protein testing); Section
111367.6 (breast cancer screening); Section 1367.61 (prosthetics for
12laryngectomy); Section 1367.62 (maternity hospital stay); Section
131367.63 (reconstructive surgery); Section 1367.635 (mastectomies);
14Section 1367.64 (prostate cancer); Section 1367.65
15(mammography); Section 1367.66 (cervical cancer); Section
161367.665 (cancer screening tests); Section 1367.67 (osteoporosis);
17Section 1367.68 (surgical procedures for jaw bones); Section
181367.71 (anesthesia for dental); Section 1367.9 (conditions
19attributable to diethylstilbestrol); Section 1368.2 (hospice care);
20Section 1370.6 (cancer clinical trials); Section 1371.5 (emergency
21response ambulance or ambulance transport services); subdivision
22(b) of Section 1373 (sterilization operations or procedures); Section
231373.4 (inpatient hospital and ambulatory maternity); Section
241374.56 (phenylketonuria); Section 1374.17 (organ transplants for
25HIV); Section 1374.72 (mental health parity); and Section 1374.73
26(autism/behavioral health treatment).

27(iii) Any other benefits mandated to be covered by the plan
28pursuant to statutes enacted before December 31, 2011, as
29described in those statutes.

30(iv) The health benefits covered by the plan that are not
31otherwise required to be covered under this chapter, to the extent
32required pursuant to Sections 1367.18, 1367.21, 1367.215, 1367.22,
331367.24, and 1367.25, and Section 1300.67.24 of Title 28 of the
34California Code of Regulations.

35(v) Any other health benefits covered by the plan that are not
36otherwise required to be covered under this chapter.

37(B) Where there are any conflicts or omissions in the plan
38identified in subparagraph (A) as compared with the requirements
39for health benefits under this chapter that were enacted prior to
P5    1December 31, 2011, the requirements of this chapter shall be
2controlling, except as otherwise specified in this section.

3(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B) or any other provision
4of this section, the home health services benefits covered under
5the plan identified in subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to not be
6in conflict with this chapter.

7(D) For purposes of this section, the Paul Wellstone and Pete
8Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
9(Public Law 110-343) shall apply to a contract subject to this
10section. Coverage of mental health and substance use disorder
11services pursuant to this paragraph, along with any scope and
12duration limits imposed on the benefits, shall be in compliance
13with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity
14and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-343), and all
15rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to Section 2726 of
16the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-26).

17(3) With respect to habilitative services, in addition to any
18habilitative services identified in paragraph (2), coverage shall
19also be provided as required by federal rules, regulations, and
20guidance issued pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA.
21Habilitative services shall be covered under the same terms and
22conditions applied to rehabilitative services under the plan contract.

23(4) With respect to pediatric vision care, the same health benefits
24for pediatric vision care covered under the Federal Employees
25Dental and Vision Insurance Program vision plan with the largest
26national enrollment as of the first quarter of 2012. The pediatric
27vision care benefits covered pursuant to this paragraph shall be in
28addition to, and shall not replace, any vision services covered under
29the plan identified in paragraph (2).

30(5) With respect to pediatric oral care, the same health benefits
31for pediatric oral care covered under the dental plan available to
32subscribers of the Healthy Families Program in 2011-12, including
33the provision of medically necessary orthodontic care provided
34pursuant to the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program
35Reauthorization Act of 2009. The pediatric oral care benefits
36covered pursuant to this paragraph shall be in addition to, and shall
37not replace, any dental or orthodontic services covered under the
38plan identified in paragraph (2).

39(b) With respect to an individual or group health care service
40plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1,
P6    12015, except for a specialized health care service plan contract,
2“essential health benefits” also includes the benefits required to
3be covered under subdivision (b) of Section 1367.25.

4(c) Treatment limitations imposed on health benefits described
5in subdivision (a) shall be no greater than the treatment limitations
6imposed by the corresponding plans identified in subdivision (a),
7subject to the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision
8(a).

9(d) Except as provided in subdivision (e), nothing in this section
10shall be construed to permit a health care service plan to make
11substitutions for the benefits required to be covered under this
12section, regardless of whether those substitutions are actuarially
13equivalent.

14(e) To the extent permitted under Section 1302 of PPACA and
15any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that section,
16and to the extent that substitution would not create an obligation
17for the state to defray costs for any individual, a plan may substitute
18its prescription drug formulary for the formulary provided under
19the plan identified in subdivision (a) as long as the coverage for
20prescription drugs complies with the sections referenced in clauses
21(ii) and (iv) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision
22(a) that apply to prescription drugs.

23(f) No health care service plan, or its agent, solicitor, or
24representative, shall issue, deliver, renew, offer, market, represent,
25or sell any product, contract, or discount arrangement as compliant
26with the essential health benefits requirement in federal law, unless
27it meets all of the requirements of this section.

28(g) This section shall apply regardless of whether the plan
29contract is offered inside or outside the California Health Benefit
30Exchange created by Section 100500 of the Government Code.

31(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt a plan
32or a plan contract from meeting other applicable requirements of
33law.

34(i) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a plan contract
35from covering additional benefits, including, but not limited to,
36spiritual care services that are tax deductible under Section 213 of
37the Internal Revenue Code.

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

39(1) A specialized health care service plan contract.

40(2) A Medicare supplement plan.

P7    1(3) A plan contract that qualifies as a grandfathered health plan
2under Section 1251 of PPACA or any rules, regulations, or
3guidance issued pursuant to that section.

4(k) Nothing in this section shall be implemented in a manner
5that conflicts with a requirement of PPACA.

6(l) This section shall be implemented only to the extent essential
7health benefits are required pursuant to PPACA.

8(m) Except for the benefits required under subdivision (b), an
9essential health benefit is required to be provided under this section
10only to the extent that federal law does not require the state to
11defray the costs of the benefit.

12(n) Nothing in this section shall obligate the state to incur costs
13for the coverage of benefits that are not essential health benefits
14as defined in this section.

15(o) A plan is not required to cover, under this section, changes
16to health benefits that are the result of statutes enacted on or after
17December 31, 2011, except for the benefits required under
18subdivision (b).

19(p) (1) The department may adopt emergency regulations
20implementing this section. The department may, on a one-time
21basis, readopt any emergency regulation authorized by this section
22that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, an emergency
23regulation previously adopted under this section.

24(2) The initial adoption of emergency regulations implementing
25this section and the readoption of emergency regulations authorized
26by this subdivision shall be deemed an emergency and necessary
27for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety,
28or general welfare. The initial emergency regulations and the
29readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section
30shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing
31with the Secretary of State and each shall remain in effect for no
32more than 180 days, by which time final regulations may be
33adopted.

34(3) The director shall consult with the Insurance Commissioner
35to ensure consistency and uniformity in the development of
36regulations under this subdivision.

37(4) This subdivision shall become inoperative on March 1, 2016.

38(q) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
39apply:

P8    1(1) “Habilitative services” means medically necessary health
2care services and health care devices that assist an individual in
3partially or fully acquiring or improving skills and functioning and
4that are necessary to address a health condition, to the maximum
5extent practical. These services address the skills and abilities
6needed for functioning in interaction with an individual’s
7environment. Examples of health care services that are not
8habilitative services include, but are not limited to, respite care,
9day care, recreational care, residential treatment, social services,
10custodial care, or education services of any kind, including, but
11not limited to, vocational training. Habilitative services shall be
12covered under the same terms and conditions applied to
13rehabilitative services under the plan contract.

14(2) (A) “Health benefits,” unless otherwise required to be
15defined pursuant to federal rules, regulations, or guidance issued
16pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA, means health care items
17or services for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or
18prevention of illness, injury, disease, or a health condition,
19including a behavioral health condition.

20(B) “Health benefits” does not mean any cost-sharing
21requirements such as copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.

22(3) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and
23Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the
24federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
25(Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance
26issued thereunder.

27(4) “Small group health care service plan contract” means a
28group health care service plan contract issued to a small employer,
29as defined in Section 1357.

end delete
30

begin deleteSEC. 3.end delete
31begin insertSEC. 2.end insert  

Section 1367.25 of the Health and Safety Code is
32amended to read:

33

1367.25.  

(a)  A group health care service plan contract, except
34for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is issued,
35amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2000,
36begin insert through December 31, 2014, inclusive,end insert and an individual health
37care service plan contract that is amended, renewed, or delivered
38on or after January 1, 2000,begin insert through December 31, 2014, inclusive,end insert
39 except for a specialized health care service plan contract, shall
P9    1provide coverage for the following, under general terms and
2conditions applicable to all benefits:

3(1)  A health care service plan contract that provides coverage
4for outpatient prescription drug benefits shall include coverage for
5a variety of federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
6prescription contraceptive methods designated by the plan. In the
7event the patient’s participating provider, acting within his or her
8scope of practice, determines that none of the methods designated
9by the plan is medically appropriate for the patient’s medical or
10personal history, the plan shall also provide coverage for another
11FDA approved, medically appropriate prescription contraceptive
12method prescribed by the patient’s provider.

13(2)  begin deleteOutpatient prescription benefits end deletebegin insertBenefits end insertfor an enrollee
14under this subdivision shall be the same for an enrollee’s covered
15spouse and covered nonspouse dependents.

16(b) (1) A group or individual health care service plan contract,
17except for a specialized health care service plan contract, that is
18issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2015,
19shall provide coverage for allbegin delete FDAend deletebegin insert of the following:end insert

20begin insert(A)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertAll FDAend insert approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and products
21in each contraceptive category outlined by the FDA,begin delete as well as
22sterilization procedures and contraceptive education and
23counseling. A health care service plan shall not engage in
24unreasonable medical management in providing the coverage
25required by this subdivision.end delete
begin insert including drugs, devices, and products
26available over the counter, as prescribed by the enrollee’s
27provider.end insert

begin delete

34 28(2) A nongrandfathered group or individual health care service

end delete
begin insert

29(B) Voluntary sterilization procedures.

end insert
begin insert

30(C) Patient education and counseling on contraception.

end insert

31begin insert(2)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insert(A)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertExcept for a grandfathered health plan, and subject to
32subparagraph (B), a health care service end insert
planbegin delete contractend delete subject to
33this subdivision shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance,
34copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage
35provided pursuant to this subdivision.

begin delete

36(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a plan may cover a generic
37drug without cost sharing and impose cost sharing for equivalent
38branded drugs. If a generic version of a drug is not available, a
39plan shall provide coverage for the brand name drug in accordance
40with the requirements of this subdivision. In addition, a plan shall
P10   1accommodate an enrollee for whom a generic drug would be
2medically inappropriate under this subdivision, as determined by
3the enrollee’s participating provider in consultation with the
4enrollee, by having a mechanism for waiving the otherwise
5applicable cost sharing for the branded version.

6(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a health care service plan
7may impose reasonable quantity limits on the number of
8contraceptive supplies an enrollee may receive at a given time
9under this subdivision.

end delete
begin insert

10(B) A health care service plan may cover a generic drug, device,
11or product without cost sharing and impose cost sharing for
12equivalent nonpreferred or branded drugs, devices, or products.
13However, if a generic version of a drug, device, or product is not
14available, or is deemed medically inadvisable by the enrollee’s
15provider, a health care service plan shall provide coverage for
16the nonpreferred or brand name drug, device, or product without
17cost sharing.

end insert
begin delete

12 18(5)

end delete

19begin insert(3)end insert A health care service planbegin delete shall notend deletebegin insert mayend insert require a
20prescription to trigger coverage of FDA approved over-the-counter
21contraceptive methods and supplies under this subdivision.

begin delete

22(6) Outpatient drug benefits for

end delete
begin insert

23(4) Except as otherwise authorized under this section, a health
24care service plan shall not impose any restrictions or delays on
25the coverage required under this subdivision.

end insert

26begin insert(5)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertBenefits forend insert an enrollee under this subdivision shall be the
27same for an enrollee’s covered spouse and covered nonspouse
28dependents.

29(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
30religious employer may request a health care service plan contract
31without coverage for FDA approved contraceptive methods that
32are contrary to the religious employer’s religious tenets. If so
33requested, a health care service plan contract shall be provided
34without coverage for contraceptive methods.

35(1)  For purposes of this section, a “religious employer” is an
36entity for which each of the following is true:

37(A)  The inculcation of religious values is the purpose of the
38entity.

39(B)  The entity primarily employs persons who share the
40religious tenets of the entity.

P11   1(C)  The entity serves primarily persons who share the religious
2tenets of the entity.

3(D)  The entity is a nonprofit organization as described in
4Section 6033(a)(2)(A)i or iii, of the Internal Revenue Code of
51986, as amended.

6(2)  Every religious employer that invokes the exemption
7provided under this section shall provide written notice to
8prospective enrollees prior to enrollment with the plan, listing the
9contraceptive health care services the employer refuses to cover
10for religious reasons.

11(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exclude
12coverage for contraceptive suppliesbegin delete orderedend deletebegin insert as prescribedend insert by a
13provider, acting within his or her scope of practice, for reasons
14other than contraceptive purposes, such as decreasing the risk of
15ovarian cancer or eliminating symptoms of menopause, or for
16contraception that is necessary to preserve the life or health of an
17enrollee.

18(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict
19in any way the department’s authority to ensure plan compliance
20with this chapter when a plan provides coverage forbegin insert contraceptiveend insert
21 drugsbegin insert, devices, and productsend insert.

22(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an
23individual or group health care service plan contract to cover
24experimental or investigational treatments.

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

26(1) “Grandfathered health plan” has the meaning set forth in
27Section 1251 of PPACA.

begin delete

28(2) “Nongrandfathered individual or group health care service
29plan contract” means a health care service plan contract that is not
30a grandfathered health plan.

end delete
begin delete

26 31(3)

end delete

32begin insert(2)end insert “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and
33Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the
34federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
35(Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance
36issued thereunder.

begin delete

31 37(4)

end delete

38begin insert(3)end insert With respect to health care service plan contracts issued,
39amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, “provider” means
40an individual who is certified or licensed pursuant to Division 2
P12   1(commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions
2Code, or an initiative act referred to in that division, or Division
32.5 (commencing with Section 1797).

begin delete

4(5) “Reasonable quantity limits” means quantity limits placed
5by a health care service plan on contraceptive supplies that would
6not cause an undue burden or barrier to consistent, regular, and
7effective use of the contraceptive method.

end delete
begin delete

8(6) “Unreasonable medical management” means techniques
9used by a health care service plan that deny, tier, or condition
10enrollee access to an FDA approved contraceptive drug, device,
11or product.

end delete
begin delete
12

SEC. 4.  

Section 10112.27 of the Insurance Code is amended
13to read:

14

10112.27.  

(a) An individual or small group health insurance
15policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014,
16shall, at a minimum, include coverage for essential health benefits
17pursuant to PPACA and as outlined in this section. This section
18shall exclusively govern what benefits a health insurer must cover
19as essential health benefits. For purposes of this section, “essential
20health benefits” means all of the following:

21(1) Health benefits within the categories identified in Section
221302(b) of PPACA: ambulatory patient services, emergency
23services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health
24and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health
25treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services
26and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services
27and chronic disease management, and pediatric services, including
28oral and vision care.

29(2) (A) The health benefits covered by the Kaiser Foundation
30Health Plan Small Group HMO 30 plan (federal health product
31identification number 40513CA035) as this plan was offered during
32the first quarter of 2012, as follows, regardless of whether the
33benefits are specifically referenced in the plan contract or evidence
34of coverage for that plan:

35(i) Medically necessary basic health care services, as defined
36in subdivision (b) of Section 1345 of the Health and Safety Code
37and in Section 1300.67 of Title 28 of the California Code of
38Regulations.

39(ii) The health benefits mandated to be covered by the plan
40pursuant to statutes enacted before December 31, 2011, as
P13   1described in the following sections of the Health and Safety Code:
2Sections 1367.002, 1367.06, and 1367.35 (preventive services for
3children); Section 1367.25 (prescription drug coverage for
4contraceptives); Section 1367.45 (AIDS vaccine); Section 1367.46
5(HIV testing); Section 1367.51 (diabetes); Section 1367.54 (alpha
6feto protein testing); Section 1367.6 (breast cancer screening);
7Section 1367.61 (prosthetics for laryngectomy); Section 1367.62
8(maternity hospital stay); Section 1367.63 (reconstructive surgery);
9Section 1367.635 (mastectomies); Section 1367.64 (prostate
10cancer); Section 1367.65 (mammography); Section 1367.66
11(cervical cancer); Section 1367.665 (cancer screening tests);
12Section 1367.67 (osteoporosis); Section 1367.68 (surgical
13procedures for jaw bones); Section 1367.71 (anesthesia for dental);
14Section 1367.9 (conditions attributable to diethylstilbestrol);
15Section 1368.2 (hospice care); Section 1370.6 (cancer clinical
16trials); Section 1371.5 (emergency response ambulance or
17 ambulance transport services); subdivision (b) of Section 1373
18(sterilization operations or procedures); Section 1373.4 (inpatient
19hospital and ambulatory maternity); Section 1374.56
20(phenylketonuria); Section 1374.17 (organ transplants for HIV);
21Section 1374.72 (mental health parity); and Section 1374.73
22(autism/behavioral health treatment).

23(iii) Any other benefits mandated to be covered by the plan
24pursuant to statutes enacted before December 31, 2011, as
25described in those statutes.

26(iv) The health benefits covered by the plan that are not
27otherwise required to be covered under Chapter 2.2 (commencing
28with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code,
29to the extent otherwise required pursuant to Sections 1367.18,
301367.21, 1367.215, 1367.22, 1367.24, and 1367.25 of the Health
31and Safety Code, and Section 1300.67.24 of Title 28 of the
32California Code of Regulations.

33(v) Any other health benefits covered by the plan that are not
34otherwise required to be covered under Chapter 2.2 (commencing
35with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

36(B) Where there are any conflicts or omissions in the plan
37identified in subparagraph (A) as compared with the requirements
38for health benefits under Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section
391340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code that were
40enacted prior to December 31, 2011, the requirements of Chapter
P14   12.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health
2and Safety Code shall be controlling, except as otherwise specified
3in this section.

4(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B) or any other provision
5of this section, the home health services benefits covered under
6the plan identified in subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to not be
7in conflict with Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of
8Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

9(D) For purposes of this section, the Paul Wellstone and Pete
10Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
11(Public Law 110-343) shall apply to a policy subject to this section.
12Coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services
13pursuant to this paragraph, along with any scope and duration
14limits imposed on the benefits, shall be in compliance with the
15Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
16Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-343), and all rules,
17regulations, and guidance issued pursuant to Section 2726 of the
18federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-26).

19(3) With respect to habilitative services, in addition to any
20habilitative services identified in paragraph (2), coverage shall
21 also be provided as required by federal rules, regulations, or
22guidance issued pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA.
23Habilitative services shall be covered under the same terms and
24conditions applied to rehabilitative services under the policy.

25(4) With respect to pediatric vision care, the same health benefits
26for pediatric vision care covered under the Federal Employees
27Dental and Vision Insurance Program vision plan with the largest
28national enrollment as of the first quarter of 2012. The pediatric
29vision care services covered pursuant to this paragraph shall be in
30addition to, and shall not replace, any vision services covered under
31the plan identified in paragraph (2).

32(5) With respect to pediatric oral care, the same health benefits
33for pediatric oral care covered under the dental plan available to
34subscribers of the Healthy Families Program in 2011-12, including
35the provision of medically necessary orthodontic care provided
36pursuant to the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program
37Reauthorization Act of 2009. The pediatric oral care benefits
38covered pursuant to this paragraph shall be in addition to, and shall
39not replace, any dental or orthodontic services covered under the
40plan identified in paragraph (2).

P15   1(b) With respect to an individual or group health insurance
2policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015,
3except for a specialized health insurance policy, “essential health
4benefits” also includes the benefits required to be covered under
5subdivision (b) of Section 10123.196.

6(c) Treatment limitations imposed on health benefits described
7in subdivision (a) shall be no greater than the treatment limitations
8imposed by the corresponding plans identified in subdivision (a),
9subject to the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision
10(a).

11(d) Except as provided in subdivision (e), nothing in this section
12shall be construed to permit a health insurer to make substitutions
13for the benefits required to be covered under this section, regardless
14of whether those substitutions are actuarially equivalent.

15(e) To the extent permitted under Section 1302 of PPACA and
16any rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that section,
17and to the extent that substitution would not create an obligation
18for the state to defray costs for any individual, an insurer may
19substitute its prescription drug formulary for the formulary
20provided under the plan identified in subdivision (a) as long as the
21coverage for prescription drugs complies with the sections
22referenced in clauses (ii) and (iv) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph
23(2) of subdivision (a) that apply to prescription drugs.

24(f) No health insurer, or its agent, producer, or representative,
25shall issue, deliver, renew, offer, market, represent, or sell any
26product, policy, or discount arrangement as compliant with the
27essential health benefits requirement in federal law, unless it meets
28all of the requirements of this section. This subdivision shall be
29 enforced in the same manner as Section 790.03, including through
30the means specified in Sections 790.035 and 790.05.

31(g) This section shall apply regardless of whether the policy is
32offered inside or outside the California Health Benefit Exchange
33created by Section 100500 of the Government Code.

34(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt a health
35insurer or a health insurance policy from meeting other applicable
36requirements of law.

37(i) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a policy from
38covering additional benefits, including, but not limited to, spiritual
39care services that are tax deductible under Section 213 of the
40Internal Revenue Code.

P16   1(j) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to any of the following:

2(1) A policy that provides excepted benefits as described in
3Sections 2722 and 2791 of the federal Public Health Service Act
4(42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-21; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-91).

5(2) A policy that qualifies as a grandfathered health plan under
6Section 1251 of PPACA or any binding rules, regulation, or
7guidance issued pursuant to that section.

8(k) Nothing in this section shall be implemented in a manner
9that conflicts with a requirement of PPACA.

10(l) This section shall be implemented only to the extent essential
11health benefits are required pursuant to PPACA.

12(m) Except for the benefits required under subdivision (b), an
13essential health benefit is required to be provided under this section
14only to the extent that federal law does not require the state to
15defray the costs of the benefit.

16(n) Nothing in this section shall obligate the state to incur costs
17for the coverage of benefits that are not essential health benefits
18as defined in this section.

19(o) An insurer is not required to cover, under this section,
20changes to health benefits that are the result of statutes enacted on
21or after December 31, 2011, except for the benefits required under
22subdivision (b).

23(p) (1) The commissioner may adopt emergency regulations
24implementing this section. The commissioner may, on a one-time
25basis, readopt any emergency regulation authorized by this section
26that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, an emergency
27regulation previously adopted under this section.

28(2) The initial adoption of emergency regulations implementing
29this section and the readoption of emergency regulations authorized
30by this subdivision shall be deemed an emergency and necessary
31for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety,
32or general welfare. The initial emergency regulations and the
33readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section
34shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing
35with the Secretary of State and each shall remain in effect for no
36more than 180 days, by which time final regulations may be
37adopted.

38(3) The commissioner shall consult with the Director of the
39Department of Managed Health Care to ensure consistency and
P17   1uniformity in the development of regulations under this
2subdivision.

3(4) This subdivision shall become inoperative on March 1, 2016.

4(q) Nothing in this section shall impose on health insurance
5policies the cost sharing or network limitations of the plans
6identified in subdivision (a) except to the extent otherwise required
7to comply with provisions of this code, including this section, and
8as otherwise applicable to all health insurance policies offered to
9individuals and small groups.

10(r) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
11apply:

12(1) “Habilitative services” means medically necessary health
13care services and health care devices that assist an individual in
14partially or fully acquiring or improving skills and functioning and
15that are necessary to address a health condition, to the maximum
16extent practical. These services address the skills and abilities
17needed for functioning in interaction with an individual’s
18environment. Examples of health care services that are not
19habilitative services include, but are not limited to, respite care,
20day care, recreational care, residential treatment, social services,
21custodial care, or education services of any kind, including, but
22not limited to, vocational training. Habilitative services shall be
23covered under the same terms and conditions applied to
24rehabilitative services under the policy.

25(2) (A) “Health benefits,” unless otherwise required to be
26defined pursuant to federal rules, regulations, or guidance issued
27pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA, means health care items
28or services for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or
29prevention of illness, injury, disease, or a health condition,
30including a behavioral health condition.

31(B) “Health benefits” does not mean any cost-sharing
32requirements such as copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.

33(3) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and
34Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the
35federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
36(Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance
37issued thereunder.

38(4) “Small group health insurance policy” means a group health
39care service insurance policy issued to a small employer, as defined
40in Section 10700.

end delete
P18   1

begin deleteSEC. 5.end delete
2begin insertSEC. 3.end insert  

Section 10123.196 of the Insurance Code is amended
3to read:

4

10123.196.  

(a) An individual or group policy of disability
5insurance issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after
6January 1, 2000,begin insert through December 31, 2014, inclusive,end insert that
7provides coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, shall
8provide coverage for the following, under the same terms and
9conditions as applicable to all benefits:

10(1) A disability insurance policy that provides coverage for
11outpatient prescription drug benefits shall include coverage for a
12variety of federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
13prescription contraceptive methods, as designated by the insurer.
14If an insured’s health care provider determines that none of the
15methods designated by the disability insurer is medically
16appropriate for the insured’s medical or personal history, the insurer
17shall, in the alternative, provide coverage for some other FDA
18approved prescription contraceptive method prescribed by the
19patient’s health care provider.

20(2) begin deleteOutpatient prescription coverage end deletebegin insertCoverage end insertwith respect to
21an insured under this subdivision shall be identical for an insured’s
22covered spouse and covered nonspouse dependents.

23(b) (1) A group or individual policy of disability insurance,
24except for a specialized health insurance policy, that is issued,
25amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2015, shall
26provide coverage for all begin delete FDA approved contraceptive drugs,
27devices, and products in each contraceptive category outlined by
28the FDA, as well as sterilization procedures and contraceptive
29education and counseling. A disability insurer shall not engage in
30unreasonable medical management in providing the coverage
31required by this subdivision.end delete
begin insert of the following:end insert

begin insert

32(A) All FDA approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and
33products in each contraceptive category outlined by the FDA,
34including drugs, devices, and products available over the counter,
35as prescribed by the insured’s provider.

end insert
begin insert

36(B) Voluntary sterilization procedures.

end insert
begin insert

37(C) Patient education and counseling on contraception.

end insert
begin delete

38(2) A nongrandfathered group or individual policy of disability
39insurance

end delete

P19   1begin insert(2)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insert(A)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertExcept for a grandfathered health plan, and subject to
2subparagraph (B), a disability insurerend insert
subject to this subdivision
3shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any
4other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided pursuant
5to this subdivision.

begin delete

6(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), an insurer may cover a
7generic drug without cost sharing and impose cost sharing for
8equivalent branded drugs. If a generic version of a drug is not
9available, an insurer shall provide coverage for the brand name
10drug in accordance with the requirements of this subdivision. In
11addition, an insurer shall accommodate an insured for whom a
12generic drug would be medically inappropriate under this
13subdivision, as determined by the insured’s health care provider
14in consultation with the insured, by having a mechanism for
15waiving the otherwise applicable cost sharing for the branded
16version.

17(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an insurer may impose
18reasonable quantity limits on the number of contraceptive supplies
19an insured may receive at a given time under this subdivision.

end delete
begin insert

20(B) A disability insurer may cover a generic drug, device, or
21product without cost sharing and impose cost sharing for an
22equivalent nonpreferred or branded drug, device, or product.
23However, if a generic version of a drug, device, or product is not
24available, or is deemed medically inadvisable by the insured’s
25provider, a disability insurer shall provide coverage for the
26nonpreferred or brand name drug, device, or product without cost
27sharing.

end insert
begin delete

28(5)

end delete

29begin insert(3)end insert An insurerbegin delete shall notend deletebegin insert mayend insert require a prescription to trigger
30coverage of FDA approved over-the-counter contraceptive methods
31and supplies under this subdivision.

begin insert

32(4) Except as otherwise authorized under this section, an insurer
33shall not impose any restrictions or delays on the coverage
34required under this subdivision.

end insert
begin delete

22 35(6) Outpatient drug coverage

end delete

36begin insert(5)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertCoverageend insert with respect to an insured under this subdivision
37shall be identical for an insured’s covered spouse and covered
38nonspouse dependents.

P20   1(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or restrict
2in any way any existing right or benefit provided under law or by
3contract.

4(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an
5individual or group disability insurance policy to cover
6experimental or investigational treatments.

7(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
8religious employer may request a disability insurance policy
9without coverage for contraceptive methods that are contrary to
10the religious employer’s religious tenets. If so requested, a
11disability insurance policy shall be provided without coverage for
12contraceptive methods.

13(1) For purposes of this section, a “religious employer” is an
14entity for which each of the following is true:

15(A) The inculcation of religious values is the purpose of the
16entity.

17(B) The entity primarily employs persons who share the religious
18tenets of the entity.

19(C) The entity serves primarily persons who share the religious
20tenets of the entity.

21(D) The entity is a nonprofit organization pursuant to Section
226033(a)(2)(A)(i) or (iii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
23amended.

24(2) Every religious employer that invokes the exemption
25provided under this section shall provide written notice to any
26prospective employee once an offer of employment has been made,
27and prior to that person commencing that employment, listing the
28contraceptive health care services the employer refuses to cover
29for religious reasons.

30(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exclude coverage
31for contraceptive suppliesbegin delete orderedend deletebegin insert as prescribedend insert by abegin delete health careend delete
32 provider, acting within his or her scope of practice, for reasons
33other than contraceptive purposes, such as decreasing the risk of
34ovarian cancer or eliminating symptoms of menopause, or for
35contraception that is necessary to preserve the life or health of an
36insured.

37(g) This section shall only apply to disability insurance policies
38or contracts that are defined as health benefit plans pursuant to
39subdivision (a) of Section 10198.6, except that for accident only,
40specified disease, or hospital indemnity coverage, coverage for
P21   1benefits under this section shall apply to the extent that the benefits
2are covered under the general terms and conditions that apply to
3all other benefits under the policy or contract. Nothing in this
4section shall be construed as imposing a new benefit mandate on
5accident only, specified disease, or hospital indemnity insurance.

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

7(1) “Grandfathered health plan” has the meaning set forth in
8Section 1251 of PPACA.

begin delete

9(2) “Nongrandfathered group or individual policy of disability
10insurance” means a disability insurance policy that is not a
11grandfathered health plan.

end delete
begin delete

4 12(3)

end delete

13begin insert(2)end insert “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and
14Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the
15federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
16(Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance
17issued thereunder.

begin delete

9 18(4)

end delete

19begin insert(3)end insert With respect to policies of disability insurance issued,
20amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2015, “health care
21provider” means an individual who is certified or licensed pursuant
22to Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and
23Professions Code, or an initiative act referred to in that division,
24or Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the Health
25and Safety Code.

begin delete

26(5) “Reasonable quantity limits” means quantity limits placed
27by a disability insurer on contraceptive supplies that would not
28cause an undue burden or barrier to consistent, regular, and
29effective use of the contraceptive method.

end delete
begin delete

30(6) “Unreasonable medical management” means techniques
31used by a disability insurer that deny, tier, or condition insured
32access to an FDA approved contraceptive drug, device, or product.

end delete
33

begin deleteSEC. 6.end delete
34begin insertSEC. 4.end insert  

No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
35Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
36the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
37district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
38infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
39for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
40the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
P22   1the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
2Constitution.



O

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