Health care coverage: portable HEPA purifiers and filters.
- Requires health plans to cover HEPA air purifiers for pregnant people and those with asthma or COPD.
- Eliminates all out-of-pocket costs for covered HEPA purifiers and filters starting January 2026.
- Mandates HEPA devices must remove 99% of airborne particles that are 10 microns or larger.
- Applies to CalPERS and CalSTRS members but excludes Medicare, Medi-Cal, and ERISA plans.
Assembly Member Caloza, joined by Principal Coauthor Assembly Member Rivas, proposes requiring health plans and insurers to cover portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers and filters for pregnant enrollees and those diagnosed with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The coverage mandate would apply to health care service plan contracts and insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed after January 1, 2026.
Under the proposal, covered HEPA devices must remove at least 99% of airborne particles measuring 10 microns or achieve a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or higher. The bill prohibits imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for these devices, though high-deductible health plans may require cost-sharing if needed to comply with federal requirements. The mandate extends to enrollees in CalPERS and CalSTRS health plans but excludes Medicare supplement policies, specialized dental/vision plans, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and self-insured ERISA plans.
The bill's urgency clause, citing research linking wildfire smoke exposure to increased risks of preterm birth and respiratory complications, would make these provisions effective immediately upon enactment. The Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance would oversee implementation and enforcement, with willful violations by health plans constituting criminal offenses under existing law.
 Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD Assembly Member | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Robert RivasD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Mia BontaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
- Requires health plans to cover HEPA air purifiers for pregnant people and those with asthma or COPD.
- Eliminates all out-of-pocket costs for covered HEPA purifiers and filters starting January 2026.
- Mandates HEPA devices must remove 99% of airborne particles that are 10 microns or larger.
- Applies to CalPERS and CalSTRS members but excludes Medicare, Medi-Cal, and ERISA plans.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Caloza, joined by Principal Coauthor Assembly Member Rivas, proposes requiring health plans and insurers to cover portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers and filters for pregnant enrollees and those diagnosed with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The coverage mandate would apply to health care service plan contracts and insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed after January 1, 2026.
Under the proposal, covered HEPA devices must remove at least 99% of airborne particles measuring 10 microns or achieve a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or higher. The bill prohibits imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for these devices, though high-deductible health plans may require cost-sharing if needed to comply with federal requirements. The mandate extends to enrollees in CalPERS and CalSTRS health plans but excludes Medicare supplement policies, specialized dental/vision plans, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and self-insured ERISA plans.
The bill's urgency clause, citing research linking wildfire smoke exposure to increased risks of preterm birth and respiratory complications, would make these provisions effective immediately upon enactment. The Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance would oversee implementation and enforcement, with willful violations by health plans constituting criminal offenses under existing law.
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Robert RivasD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Mia BontaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |