AB 298: Health care coverage cost sharing.

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 acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law limits the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing that may be imposed for specified health care services.

This bill would prohibit a large group health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, 2027, from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for in-network health care services, as defined, provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. The bill would prohibit an individual or entity from billing or seeking reimbursement reimbursement, as provided, for in-network health care services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. Because a willful violation of these 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.