Out-of-network health care benefits.

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. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. If an enrollee or insured receives services under a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2017, that includes coverage for out-of-network benefits, existing law authorizes a noncontracting individual health professional to bill or collect the out-of-network cost-sharing amount directly from the enrollee or insured if specified criteria are met, including that the enrollee or insured consents in writing to receive services from the noncontracting individual health professional at least 24 hours in advance of care. Existing law requires the consent to advise the enrollee or insured that they may seek care from a contracted provider for lower out-of-pocket costs and to be provided in the language spoken by the enrollee or insured, as specified. This bill would instead authorize a noncontracting individual health professional, excluding specified professionals, to bill or collect the out-of-network cost-sharing amount directly from the enrollee or insured receiving services under a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2022, if the enrollee consents in writing or electronically at least 72 hours in advance of care. The bill would require the consent to include a list of contracted providers at the facility who are able to provide the services and to be provided in the 15 most commonly used languages in the facility's geographic region.