CA SB399

Expands coverage requirements for behavioral health treatment for pervasive developmental disorder or autism in health care service plans and health insurance policies, requiring treatment to be prescribed by physicians or psychologists and administered by qualified providers.

Revises definitions of qualified autism service professionals to include behavioral service providers with specified education and work experience, and removes the "unlicensed and uncertified" requirement for paraprofessionals while adding mandatory background check completion for both professional and paraprofessional levels.

Requires intervention plans to include individualized parent or caregiver participation when clinically appropriate, accounting for the parent's or caregiver's ability to participate, and prohibits denying or reducing medically necessary services based on lack of participation or treatment setting alone.

Clarifies that treatment plan recommendations regarding setting, location, or time cannot be the sole reason to deny coverage for medically necessary services, and specifies exceptions for school-based services and out-of-area coverage limitations.

Exempts specialized health plans that do not provide mental health or behavioral health services and Medi-Cal program policies from these requirements.