Coverage for behavioral health visits.

Assembly Members Harabedian and Rivas have proposed legislation requiring large group health plans to cover up to 12 behavioral health visits for Californians affected by wildfires, addressing the mental health impacts of displacement and trauma during declared emergencies. The coverage would apply to visits with any behavioral health provider, including those outside insurance networks, without requiring utilization review.

The measure establishes specific parameters for this new benefit, which would take effect in January 2026. Health plans must notify eligible members about their coverage rights when wildfire emergencies are declared in their counties. Enrollees would pay only in-network cost-sharing amounts, regardless of provider network status, with costs counting toward annual deductibles. The coverage extends to public employees and teachers enrolled in CalPERS and CalSTRS health plans but excludes Medicare, Medi-Cal, and specialized plans covering only dental or vision care.

The legislation maintains existing requirements for plans to provide medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatment within geographic access standards. Health plans must ensure continuity of care and may not use these new provisions to limit coverage otherwise required by law. The Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance are authorized to issue implementation guidance outside normal regulatory processes while emergencies remain active.