CA AB1451

Requires health care service plans and health insurers to cover treatment for urgent and emergency mental health and substance use disorders for contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024.

Eliminates preauthorization requirements for urgent and emergency mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Mandates timely reimbursement for covered urgent and emergency mental health and substance use disorder services under existing claims payment requirements.

Implementation is contingent upon legislative appropriation for administrative costs of the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance.

Clarifies that the bill does not relieve health plans or insurers of existing mental health coverage obligations under related statutes.