Bill > AB298

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, prohibits large group health care service plans and health insurance policies from charging deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or other cost-sharing for in-network health care services provided to individuals under 21 years old, with specific exceptions for high-deductible health plans that qualify for health savings accounts, which will still be exempt from cost-sharing for preventive care and will have cost-sharing waived after the deductible is met for other in-network services. The bill also prevents providers from billing or seeking reimbursement from these young individuals or their contractholders for such services, and defines "in-network health care services" broadly to include services from contracting providers, facilities, emergency services, and situations where contracting providers are unavailable. This measure is intended to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for young people accessing healthcare and is considered a state-mandated local program due to potential criminal violations by health care service plans, though no reimbursement is required for local agencies or school districts as the costs are related to creating new or changing existing criminal definitions.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB298