CA AB1770

Requires the Department of Managed Health Care to establish a panel of qualified arbitrators by February 1, 2027, with all arbitrations between health plans/insurers and enrollees conducted by a department-assigned arbitrator rather than one chosen by the parties

Health care service plans and insurers must pay all arbitrator fees (set at superior court judge salary divided by 2,000 plus travel expenses) and court reporter costs; enrollees and insureds cannot be charged for these expenses

Mandates annual disclosure to enrollees/insureds about binding arbitration provisions, including a new requirement that parties may appeal arbitration results based on legal or factual error by the arbitrator

Arbitrators must complete written reports within 30 days of case completion, and health plans must preserve all arbitration documents for five years and provide copies to the Department of Managed Health Care

All arbitration records are presumed public except patient-identified medical information, with the department required to publish records on its website unless a court orders sealing based on specific findings of overriding interest