CA AB1453

Requires individual and small group health care service plan contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014, to cover essential health benefits as defined under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Defines essential health benefits to include coverage categories under PPACA plus benefits covered by the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Small Group HMO 30 plan as offered in Q1 2012, including all state-mandated benefits enacted before December 31, 2011.

Prohibits health care service plans from imposing treatment limitations greater than those in benchmark plans and prohibits substitutions of required benefits, except for prescription drug formularies under specified conditions.

Exempts specialized health care service plans, Medicare supplement plans, and grandfathered health plans from these requirements.

Authorizes the Department of Managed Health Care to adopt emergency regulations implementing these provisions until March 1, 2016, and specifies the act becomes operative only if Senate Bill 951 is also enacted.