Oct 16, 2019
Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the following two bills that affect the health insurance industry:
- Dialysis Reimbursement Limits — AB 290: The new law limits the private-insurance reimbursement rate that dialysis companies receive for patients who get assistance from groups such as the American Kidney Fund. A May study from UCLA found that private health plans pay four times more than Medicare rates for dialysis treatments, dispensing an average of $1,041 per session.
- Fertility Coverage — SB 600: Private health plans must now cover the cost of fertility procedures for patients undergoing treatment that can make it difficult to have children, such as chemotherapy.
Also, legislation adopted as part of the state budget this year will require Californians to have health insurance next year or face a penalty. The budget also funded new state-based tax credits for Californians who purchase health insurance through Covered California, including some who earn too much to qualify for federal financial aid.
