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AB-951 • 2026

Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses.

Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Ta
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text does not define terms like 'rediagnosis' or 'pervasive developmental disorder,' so definitions were omitted to avoid speculation.

Stopping Rediagnosis Requirements for Autism Coverage

This law stops health plans from requiring people with autism or pervasive developmental disorder to get a new diagnosis just to keep their treatment coverage.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits health insurance policies and service plan contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, from requiring rediagnosis for existing conditions of autism or pervasive developmental disorder.
  • Requires plans to make a treatment plan available if the insurer or service plan requests it.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People previously diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorder who need behavioral health coverage.
  • Health insurance companies and health care service plans regulated by state agencies.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The rule only applies to policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.
  • The official text does not specify the exact date enforcement begins beyond the contract timeline.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses.