Health data: HIV test results.

Senator Cabaldon's legislation modifies California's HIV test result privacy framework to permit Medi-Cal managed care plans to access beneficiaries' HIV data for quality improvement initiatives, while establishing new privacy protections for patients. The measure amends existing Health and Safety Code provisions that currently limit HIV test result sharing to healthcare providers directly involved in patient care.

Under the proposed changes, Medi-Cal managed care plans would receive HIV test results for their assigned beneficiaries without requiring written authorization, specifically to implement quality improvement programs such as value-based payments and healthy behavior incentives. The State Department of Health Care Services must develop an opt-out mechanism by December 31, 2026, allowing beneficiaries to prevent their HIV data from being shared with managed care plans. The bill maintains existing restrictions that prohibit sharing identifiable HIV test results with regulated healthcare service plans outside the Medi-Cal system without written consent.

The legislation creates a tiered disclosure framework - allowing managed care plans to receive identifiable HIV data for their opted-in beneficiaries while permitting only de-identified data to be shared with Department staff. Any HIV test results recorded or disclosed under these provisions cannot be further shared unless explicitly permitted by law, including with federal agencies or other state authorities. The measure preserves current penalties for unauthorized disclosure of HIV test results to third parties.