Californian health insurance companies win battle over list of benefits

The bill would have required health insurers to achieve a 95% accuracy standard by July 1, 2028. It would also have required state regulators to use network information standards for provider directories that would be mandatory for all state-regulated health insurers and health plans in the state.

Failure to comply with directory standards could have resulted in fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 per 1,000 enrollees affected.

State Assembly members passed the bill in January by a vote of 59-9, and in June it passed the Senate Health Committee by a vote of 9-1. But the Senate Budget Committee voted 7-0 to put the bill on hold earlier this month.

Health Access California, a patient advocacy group, argues that the bill is necessary because inaccurate and outdated directories exacerbate the effects of the health care provider shortage by complicating patients' efforts to find providers willing and able to accept new patients.

America's Health Insurance Plans worked with the Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies, the California Association of Dental Plans, the California Association of Health Plans, the California Medical Association, the Los Angeles County Business Federation and other major payer and provider groups to oppose the bill.