Developmental services: health insurance payments.

Under existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the State Department of Developmental Services is authorized to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, autism. The services and supports to be provided to a regional center consumer are contained in an individual program plan (IPP) or individualized family services plan (IFSP) developed in accordance with prescribed requirements. This bill would require a regional center to pay any applicable copayment, coinsurance, or deductible imposed by a health insurance policy or health care service plan for a service or support required by a consumer's IPP or IFSP, as specified. This bill would prohibit a regional center from imposing on the consumer or his or her family a share of cost for, or income requirements relating to, those payments, and from seeking reimbursement for those payments. This bill would require the department to establish appropriate application and documentation forms to implement those provisions.