CA SB979

Expands health care service plan and health insurer obligations to apply to both Governor-declared states of emergency and State Public Health Officer-declared health emergencies that displace or affect enrollees, insureds, or health care providers.

Requires health care service plans and health insurers to file notification with their respective departments within 48 hours of an emergency declaration describing operational disruptions and actions taken to meet enrollee/insured health care needs.

Authorizes departments to require plans and insurers to shorten prior authorization approval times, extend claim filing deadlines, suspend prescription refill limits at out-of-network pharmacies, and allow out-of-network provider access when in-network providers are unavailable.

Requires health care service plans and health insurers to maintain toll-free telephone lines for affected enrollees and insureds to answer questions about insurance identification cards, prescription refills, and health care access.

Allows the Department of Managed Health Care Director and Insurance Commissioner to issue guidance to health care service plans and insurers regarding compliance for up to three years following emergency declaration or until the emergency terminates, without being subject to the Administrative Procedure Act.