CA SB621

Allows health care service plans and health insurers to require enrollees or insureds to try a biosimilar drug before covering the equivalent branded prescription drug, similar to existing rules for generic equivalents and interchangeable biological products.

Specifies that requirements to try biosimilars, generics, and interchangeable drugs do not prohibit or supersede step therapy exception requests, which must be granted based on clinical criteria such as contraindications, expected ineffectiveness, or prior trial failures.

Amends Health and Safety Code Section 1367.206 (health care service plans) and Insurance Code Section 10123.201 (health insurers) to define biosimilars consistent with federal law (Title 42 U.S.C. Section 262(i)(2)).

Applies to both health care service plans and health insurers, with requirements that contracts with utilization review organizations include compliance terms as of January 1, 2022.