Bill Text: CA AB1157 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Rehabilitative and habilitative services: durable medical equipment and services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2023-09-01 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB1157 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB1157-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Senate
July 13, 2023 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1157
| Introduced by Assembly Members Ortega and Wilson |
February 16, 2023 |
An act to amend Section 1367.005 of, and to add Section 1342.9 to, the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Section 10112.27 of, and to add Section 10112.275 to, the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1157, as amended, Ortega.
Rehabilitative and habilitative services: durable medical equipment and services.
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, requires the Department of Managed Health Care to license and regulate health care service plans and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Other existing law requires the Department of Insurance to regulate health insurers. 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, 2017, to include, at a minimum, coverage for essential health benefits pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under existing law, essential health benefits includes, among other things, rehabilitative and habilitative services. Existing law requires habilitative services and devices to be covered under the same terms and conditions applied to rehabilitative services and devices under the plan contract or
policy, and defines habilitative services to mean health care services and devices that help a person keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living.
This bill would specify that coverage of rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices under a health care service plan or health insurance policy includes durable medical equipment, services, and repairs, if the equipment, services, or repairs are prescribed or ordered by a physician, surgeon, or other health professional acting within the scope of their license. The bill would define “durable medical equipment” to mean devices, including replacement devices, that are designed for repeated use, and that are used for the treatment or monitoring of a medical condition or injury in order to help a person to partially or fully acquire, improve, keep, or learn, or minimize the loss of, skills and functioning of daily living. The bill would prohibit coverage of durable medical equipment and services
from being subject to financial or treatment limitations, as specified. Because
The bill would require the Secretary of California Health and Human Services to communicate to the federal Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight that the coverage of durable medical equipment is necessary to comply with federal requirements for purposes of being considered essential health benefits not subject to defrayal payments. If the center overrules the state’s determination that the additional coverage subjects the state to defrayal payments, the bill would require the secretary to reevaluate California’s essential health benefits benchmark plan to incorporate the coverage without triggering the defrayal requirement. The bill would require the secretary, no later than one year after the center
makes its determination, to submit a report to the Legislature recommending the corresponding changes to the essential health benefits benchmarking process in order for the Legislature to approve submission of a new benchmark plan proposal to the center.
Because a violation of the bill’s provisions 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.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 1342.9 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1342.9.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)
(1) Lack of access to durable medical equipment disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities or chronically ill individuals.
(b)
(2) Because of their effect on protected population classes, categorical exclusions of durable medical equipment by health care service plans, and burdensome financial limitations imposed by plans on durable medical equipment, result in plan designs that discriminate against people with disabilities in violation of federal and state nondiscrimination provisions, including Sections 1302 and 1557 of 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).
(c)
(3) In order to comply with federal and state requirements regarding nondiscrimination in benefit design, it is important that coverage of rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices include durable medical equipment and services.
(b) In implementing subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), and paragraph (1) of subdivision (o) of Section 1367.005
of this code and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), and paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 10112.27 of the Insurance Code with respect to durable medical equipment, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services shall communicate to the federal Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) that coverage of durable medical equipment is necessary to comply with federal requirements pursuant to the exception in Section 155.170(a)(2) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) If CCIIO overrules the state’s determination that the addition of coverage for durable medical equipment does not subject the state to the defrayal requirement in Section 156.111(e) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services shall commence and complete the process of reevaluating California’s essential health benefits
benchmark plan and benefits to incorporate these durable medical equipment services and repairs without triggering the defrayal requirement. This process shall comply with all procedural requirements pursuant to Section 155.170(a)(2) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. No later than one year after the determination by the federal government, the secretary shall submit a report to the Legislature recommending the corresponding changes to the essential health benefits benchmarking process in order for the Legislature to approve submission of a new benchmark plan proposal to CCIIO.
SEC. 2.
Section 1367.005 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:1367.005.
(a) An individual or small group health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2017, shall include, at a minimum, coverage for essential health benefits pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (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 2014, 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 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-fetoprotein 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) If 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) (A) With respect to habilitative services, in addition to any habilitative services and devices 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 and devices shall be covered under the same
terms and conditions applied to rehabilitative services and devices under the plan contract. Limits on habilitative and rehabilitative services and devices shall not be combined.
(B) Coverage of rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices includes durable medical equipment, services, and repairs, if the equipment, services, or repairs are prescribed or ordered by a physician, surgeon, or other health professional acting within the scope of their license.
(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 2014. 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 benefit received by children under the Medi-Cal program as of 2014, 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) (1) 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).
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), with respect to rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, coverage of durable medical equipment and services shall not be subject to financial or treatment limitations, including annual caps or requirements limiting coverage of the devices to those for home use.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), this section does not 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) if 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) A health care service plan, or its agent, solicitor, or representative, shall not 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 applies 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) This section does not exempt a plan or a plan contract from meeting other applicable requirements of law.
(h) This section does not 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) does 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) This section shall not be implemented in a manner that conflicts with a requirement of PPACA.
(k) 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.
(l) This section does not obligate the state to incur costs for the coverage of benefits that are not
essential health benefits as defined in this section.
(m) 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.
(n) (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 initial adoption of emergency regulations implementing this section made during the 2015–16 Regular Session of the Legislature 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.
(4) The director shall consult with the Insurance Commissioner to ensure consistency and uniformity in the development of regulations under this subdivision.
(5) This subdivision shall become inoperative on July 1, 2018.
(o) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Durable medical equipment” means devices, including replacement devices, that are designed for repeated use and that are used for the treatment or monitoring of a medical condition or
injury in order to help a person to partially or fully acquire, improve, keep, or learn, or minimize the loss of, skills and functioning of daily living. The prescription or order for durable medical equipment shall include fittings, design, adjustment, programming, and other necessary services for the provision or maintenance of the devices.
(2) “Habilitative services” means health care services and devices that help a person keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living. Examples include therapy for a child who is not walking or talking at the expected age. These services may include physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and other services for people with disabilities in a variety of inpatient or outpatient settings, or both. Habilitative services shall be covered under the same terms and conditions applied
to rehabilitative services under the plan contract.
(3) (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.
(4) “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.
(5) “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.
SEC. 3.
Section 10112.27 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:10112.27.
(a) An individual or small group health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2017, shall include, at a minimum, coverage for essential health benefits pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and as outlined in this section. This section shall exclusively govern the benefits a health insurer must cover as essential health benefits. 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 2014, as follows, regardless of whether the benefits are specifically referenced in the plan contract or evidence of coverage for that plan:
(i) Medically necessary basic health care services, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1345 of the Health and Safety Code and 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 of the Health and Safety Code: 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-fetoprotein 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 Chapter 2.2 (commencing with
Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, to the extent otherwise required pursuant to Sections 1367.18, 1367.21, 1367.215, 1367.22, 1367.24, and 1367.25 of the Health and Safety Code, 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 Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.
(B) If there are any conflicts or omissions in the plan identified in subparagraph (A) as compared with the requirements for health benefits under Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code that were enacted before December 31, 2011, the requirements of Chapter 2.2 (commencing with
Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code shall control, 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 not be in conflict with Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.
(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 policy 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, and guidance issued pursuant to Section 2726 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-26).
(3) (A) With respect to habilitative services, in addition to any habilitative services and devices identified in paragraph (2), coverage shall also be provided as required by federal rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to Section 1302(b) of PPACA. Habilitative services and devices shall be covered under the same terms and conditions applied to rehabilitative services and devices under the policy. Limits on habilitative and rehabilitative services and devices shall not be combined.
(B) Coverage of rehabilitative
and habilitative services and devices includes durable medical equipment, services, and repairs, if the equipment, services, or repairs are prescribed or ordered by a physician, surgeon, or other health professional acting within the scope of their license.
(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 2014. The pediatric vision care services 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 benefit received by children under the Medi-Cal program as of 2014, 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) (1) 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).
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1),
with respect to rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, coverage of durable medical equipment and services shall not be subject to financial or treatment limitations, including annual caps or requirements limiting coverage of the devices to those for home use.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), this section does not permit a health insurer 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, an insurer may substitute
its prescription drug formulary for the formulary provided under the plan identified in subdivision (a) if 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) A health insurer, or its agent, producer, or representative, shall not issue, deliver, renew, offer, market, represent, or sell any product, policy, or discount arrangement as compliant with the essential health benefits requirement in federal law, unless it meets all of the requirements of this section. This subdivision shall be enforced in the same manner as Section 790.03, including through the means specified in Sections 790.035 and 790.05.
(f) This section applies regardless of whether
the policy is offered inside or outside the California Health Benefit Exchange created by Section 100500 of the Government Code.
(g) This section does not exempt a health insurer or a health insurance policy from meeting other applicable requirements of law.
(h) This section does not prohibit a policy 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) does not apply to any of the following:
(1) A policy that provides excepted benefits as described in Sections 2722 and 2791 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-21; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 300gg-91).
(2) A policy that qualifies as a grandfathered health plan under Section 1251 of PPACA or any binding rules, regulations, or guidance issued pursuant to that section.
(j) This section shall not be implemented in a manner that conflicts with a requirement of PPACA.
(k) 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.
(l) This section does not obligate the state to incur costs for the coverage of benefits that are not essential health benefits as defined in this section.
(m) An insurer 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.
(n) (1) The commissioner may adopt emergency regulations implementing this section. The commissioner, on a one-time basis, may 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 initial adoption of emergency regulations implementing this section made during the 2015–16 Regular Session of the Legislature 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.
(4) The commissioner shall consult with the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care to ensure consistency and uniformity in the development of regulations under this subdivision.
(5) This subdivision shall become inoperative on July 1, 2018.
(o) This section does not impose on health insurance policies the cost sharing or network limitations of the plans identified in subdivision (a) except to the extent otherwise required to comply with this code, including this section, and as otherwise applicable to all health insurance policies offered to individuals and small groups.
(p) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Durable medical equipment” means devices, including replacement devices, that are designed for repeated use and that are used for the treatment or monitoring of a medical condition or injury in order to help a person to partially or fully acquire, improve, keep, or learn, or minimize the loss of, skills and functioning of daily living. The prescription or order for durable medical equipment shall include fittings, design, adjustment, programming, and other necessary services for the provision or maintenance of the devices.
(2) “Habilitative services” means health care services and devices that help a person keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning
for daily living. Examples include therapy for a child who is not walking or talking at the expected age. These services may include physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and other services for people with disabilities in a variety of inpatient or outpatient settings, or both. Habilitative services shall be covered under the same terms and conditions applied to rehabilitative services under the policy.
(3) (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.
(4) “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.
(5) “Small group health insurance policy” means a group health insurance policy issued to a small employer, as defined in subdivision (q) of Section 10753.
SEC. 4.
Section 10112.275 is added to the Insurance Code, immediately following Section 10112.27, to read:10112.275.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Lack of access to durable medical equipment disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities or chronically ill individuals.
(b) Because of their effect on protected population classes, categorical exclusions of durable medical equipment by health insurers, and burdensome financial limitations imposed by those insurers on durable medical equipment, result in insurance policy designs that discriminate against people with disabilities in violation of federal and state nondiscrimination provisions, including Sections 1302 and 1557 of 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).
(c) In order to comply with federal and state requirements regarding nondiscrimination in benefit design, it is important that coverage of rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices include durable medical equipment and services.
