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AB-1682 • 2026

Health care coverage: scalp cooling.

Health care coverage: scalp cooling.

Crime Education Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Hart
Last action
2026-04-22
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details about the costs of scalp cooling treatment and who pays for it beyond insurance coverage.

Health Care Coverage: Scalp Cooling

The bill requires health care plans and Medi-Cal to cover scalp cooling treatments prescribed by doctors for people with cancer who are getting chemotherapy, starting January 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires health insurance policies and health care service plan contracts to provide coverage for scalp cooling as defined, when prescribed by a healthcare provider in connection with chemotherapy for persons with cancer, starting January 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People with cancer who are getting chemotherapy and their insurance providers.
  • Medi-Cal recipients who need scalp cooling during chemotherapy.

Terms To Know

Scalp Cooling
A treatment prescribed by a healthcare provider in connection with chemotherapy for persons with cancer to prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy.
Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (Knox-Keene)
A law that regulates health care service plans in California.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if federal financial participation is not available for Medi-Cal.
  • It's unclear how much the scalp cooling treatment will cost and who pays for it beyond insurance coverage.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-02-17 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  3. 2026-02-03 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 5.

  4. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1682, as introduced, Hart.
Health care coverage: scalp cooling.
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 act a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law requires coverage by health care service plans and health insurers for various screening and treatment services with respect to cancer.
This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, except as specified, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage for scalp cooling, as defined, as prescribed by a health care provider in connection with chemotherapy for persons with cancer. Because a violation of these provisions with respect to
a health care service plan would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law also provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services pursuant to a schedule of benefits, including various cancer screenings and benefits relating to cancer treatment.
Subject to the extent that federal financial participation is available and not otherwise jeopardized, and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained, this bill would expand the Medi-Cal schedule of benefits to include scalp cooling, as prescribed by a health care provider in connection with chemotherapy for persons with cancer.
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF