Bill > AB1032

This bill requires large group health care service plans and health insurance policies to provide up to 12 visits with a behavioral health provider, at no additional cost, for enrollees or insureds living in counties that have declared a local or state emergency due to wildfires and who have experienced loss, trauma, or displacement from those fires. These visits will be available starting January 1, 2026, and will not be subject to utilization review, meaning the insurance company cannot impose additional approval processes. The bill applies to most health plans, excluding specialized dental, vision, or Medicare plans, and requires insurers to notify affected enrollees about this new benefit. Importantly, these 12 visits are separate from existing requirements for medically necessary mental health treatments, and enrollees can see providers outside their insurance network while only paying in-network cost-sharing rates. The bill is considered an urgency statute, meaning it takes effect immediately, and is specifically designed to support mental health recovery for wildfire survivors by reducing financial barriers to accessing behavioral health care. The legislation aims to recognize the long-term psychological impact of experiencing a wildfire and provide immediate mental health support to affected individuals.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1032