CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 298Introduced by Assembly Member BontaJanuary 23, 2025 An act to add Section 1367.55 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.187 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 298, as introduced, Bonta. Health care coverage cost sharing. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of disability insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law limits the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing that may be imposed for specified health care services.This bill would prohibit a health care service plan contract or disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. The bill would prohibit an individual or entity from billing or seeking reimbursement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1367.55 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c). (b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following: (1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year. SEC. 2. Section 10123.187 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 298Introduced by Assembly Member BontaJanuary 23, 2025 An act to add Section 1367.55 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.187 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 298, as introduced, Bonta. Health care coverage cost sharing. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of disability insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law limits the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing that may be imposed for specified health care services.This bill would prohibit a health care service plan contract or disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. The bill would prohibit an individual or entity from billing or seeking reimbursement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 298
Introduced by Assembly Member BontaJanuary 23, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Bonta
January 23, 2025
An act to add Section 1367.55 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.187 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 298, as introduced, Bonta. Health care coverage cost sharing.
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of disability insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law limits the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing that may be imposed for specified health care services.This bill would prohibit a health care service plan contract or disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. The bill would prohibit an individual or entity from billing or seeking reimbursement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of disability insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law limits the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing that may be imposed for specified health care services.
This bill would prohibit a health care service plan contract or disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. The bill would prohibit an individual or entity from billing or seeking reimbursement for services provided to an enrollee or insured under 21 years of age, except as otherwise specified. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1367.55 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c). (b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following: (1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year. SEC. 2. Section 10123.187 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 1367.55 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c). (b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following: (1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
SECTION 1. Section 1367.55 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c). (b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following: (1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c). (b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following: (1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c). (b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following: (1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
1367.55. (a) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).
(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an enrollee or contractholder for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).
(c) In the case of a health care service plan contract that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the health care service plan contract shall not impose either of the following:
(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age.
(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an enrollee under 21 years of age once a health care service plan contracts deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
SEC. 2. Section 10123.187 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
SEC. 2. Section 10123.187 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
10123.187. (a) A disability insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).
(b) An individual or entity shall not bill or seek reimbursement from an insured or policyholder for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age, except as provided in subdivision (c).
(c) In the case of a disability insurance policy that is a high deductible health plan qualifying as eligible for use in combination with a health savings account under the definition set forth in Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, the disability insurance policy shall not impose either of the following:
(1) A deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for preventive care services, as defined for purposes of Section 223(c)(2) of Title 26 of the United States Code, provided to an insured under 21 years of age.
(2) Coinsurance, a copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for services provided to an insured under 21 years of age once a disability insurance policys deductible has been satisfied for the plan year.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
### SEC. 3.