Bill > SB524

This bill prohibits health care service plans, health insurers, or their agents from engaging in "patient steering." This refers to requiring enrollees or insureds to use a specific pharmacy or limiting their access to only pharmacy providers owned or operated by the plan, insurer, or their agents. The bill provides exceptions for situations involving special handling or clinical requirements, as well as for fully integrated delivery systems and self-insured multiemployer Taft-Hartley plans. The bill also declares that this practice limits patient choice, can result in higher costs, and should be limited to situations with established clinical or logistical reasons, rather than financial benefit to the plan or insurer.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB524