Bill > SB418

This bill requires health care service plans, health insurers, and the Medi-Cal program to cover up to a 12-month supply of FDA-approved prescription hormone therapy and necessary self-administration supplies, as long as the medication can be safely stored at room temperature. The bill mandates that pharmacists dispense this 12-month supply upon patient request, with some exceptions like patient preference for a smaller supply or if the medication is a controlled substance. Additionally, the bill prohibits discrimination in health care coverage based on various characteristics, explicitly defining discrimination on the basis of sex to include sex characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex stereotypes. Health care providers cannot deny or limit services based on an individual's sex assigned at birth, gender identity, or gender otherwise recorded, and cannot implement categorical exclusions for gender transition or gender-affirming care. The bill applies to health care service plans, health insurers, and the Medi-Cal program, with provisions set to expire on January 1, 2035. The legislation aims to expand access to hormone therapy and ensure non-discriminatory health care coverage for transgender, gender diverse, and intersex individuals.

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

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB418