CA AB2198

Requires health care service plans and health insurers to establish and maintain four types of application programming interfaces (APIs) by January 1, 2027, or when final federal rules are implemented, whichever is later: patient access API, provider access API, payer-to-payer API, and prior authorization API.

APIs must comply with standards published in final rules by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and align with federal effective dates, including any enforcement delays or suspensions.

Authorizes the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance to issue guidance to regulated entities regarding compliance until January 1, 2027, with such guidance exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act.

Specifies that the state is not required to reimburse local agencies or school districts for costs under this act because any costs result from creating new crimes or modifying criminal penalties.