CA AB384

Prohibits health care service plans and health insurers from requiring prior authorization for medically necessary inpatient admissions for mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions, effective January 1, 2027

Eliminates prior authorization requirements for all medically necessary health care services provided during inpatient stays for mental health and substance use treatment

Applies the same prior authorization prohibitions to the Medi-Cal program, contingent on federal financial participation and necessary federal approvals

Defines qualifying "24-hour care in inpatient settings" to include general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, chemical dependency recovery hospitals, and psychiatric residential treatment facilities

Authorizes the Department of Managed Health Care, Insurance Commissioner, and Department of Health Care Services to impose administrative penalties, civil penalties, sanctions, or contract terminations for violations