Bill > AB280

This bill aims to improve the accuracy of provider directories for health care service plans and health insurers by requiring annual verification and deletion of inaccurate listings, with progressive accuracy benchmarks. Starting July 1, 2026, provider directories must be 60% accurate, increasing to 95% accurate by July 1, 2029. The bill mandates that health plans and insurers take several steps to ensure directory accuracy, including: notifying providers at least annually about their listed information, requiring providers to confirm or update their details, and establishing processes for providers and consumers to report inaccuracies. If an enrollee or insured relies on inaccurate directory information and receives care, the plan or insurer must cover the services at in-network rates and ensure the provider is not allowed to charge additional fees. The bill also requires plans and insurers to provide information about in-network providers upon request, including whether they are accepting new patients, and establishes potential administrative penalties for failing to meet accuracy requirements. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance to develop uniform formats for directory information and establish methodologies to ensure directory accuracy by January 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB280