Creates provision for health plan contract or insurance policy active as of Jul. 1, 2025 to cover emergency room care, follow-up treatments to rape or sexual assault victims.
Coverage including surgery cannot charge cost sharing, copayments, coinsurance, or a deductible for the first nine months after the enrollee initiates health care treatment.
Claims submitted must use accurate diagnosis codes specific to rape or sexual assault.
Providers cannot require victim to file police report, charges, or proof of conviction of the offender to receive said emergency room care and follow-up treatment benefit.
Plan/insurer to arrange out-of-network services if services are not available in network.
Exclusions
Cost sharing excludes premium or share of premium on enrollee insurance/health plan.
Certain policies are excluded, e.g., Medicare or TRI-CARE supplement, accident-only.
For high deductible health plan, bill provisions activate once annual deductible is paid.
Legislative History
On Feb. 15, 2024, bill introduced in Assembly; on May 16, 2024, bill passed Assembly.
On May 16, 2024, bill introduced in Senate; on Aug. 28, 2024, bill passed the Senate.
On Aug. 29, 2024, bill amendments concurred; on Sep. 11, bill delivered to governor.
Effectiveness
No effective date specified; generally effective Jan. 1 after enactment, on Jan. 1, 2025.
Sep. 29, 2024 CAL LEG Governor Approval
On Sep. 29, 2024, CAL LEG reported bill AB 2843 approved by governor, Chapter 971.
Regulators
CAL LEG
Entity Types
Ins
Reference
Ch.971, 9/29/2024; Bill, AB2843, 9/11/2024; Citation: CAL INS 2-1; CAL LEG 2-8.5-1367;
