Department of Managed Health Care Provides Independent Analysis of the Competitive Effects of Centene’s Proposed Acquisition of Magellan Health

By William Espinosa On October 12, 2021, Deborah Haas Wilson, PH.D., who was retained by the Office of the California Attorney General on behalf of DMHC, published her independent analysis of the anti-competitive impact on subscribers and enrollees of a Continue reading

SB 65 Becomes Law, Requiring Investigation into Serious Illness and Deaths Associated with Pregnancy and Childbirth to Reduce Racial Disparities

By Hunter W. Collins SB 65 (Skinner), the “California Momnibus Act,” as amended September 2, 2021, adds section 123660, adds Article 4.7 (commencing with section 123635), and adds Article 4 (commencing with section 128295) to the Health and Safety Code Continue reading

California COVID-19 Emergency Testing Regulations Imposed By DMHC without Notice Ruled Improper

By William Espinosa California Association of Health Plans v. Mary Watanabe, et al., Case No. 20STCP03773 (Super. Ct., Los Angeles County). On May 5, 2021, after full consideration of the arguments and evidence presented at trial by Petitioner California Association Continue reading

Department Did Not Violate Weldon Amendment, According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

By Hunter W. Collins In an August 13, 2021 letter, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) withdrew and closed a complaint against the State of California and the Department of Managed Health Care Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Publishes Notice of Rulemaking on Transfer of Enrollees

By Yusra Serhan On September 17, 2021, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) published notice of its intent to adopt section 1300.67.02, Title 28 of the CCR to permanently adopt the emergency regulation that became effective on January 15, Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Proposes the Formal Adoption of Dental Benefits and Coverage Disclosure Matrix Regulations

By William Espinosa On July 23, 2021, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) published notice of rulemaking action pertaining to the formal adoption of section 1300.63.4, Title 28 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), “Summary of Dental Benefits Continue reading

Department Issues an All Plan Letter Requiring No Cost Sharing on Preventative Health Services Coverage for HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

By Hunter W. Collins On July 6, 2021, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) released All Plan Letter (APL) 21-018, which requires health plans to provide “coverage for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antiretroviral drugs, including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Orders Aetna To Pay Fine for Improper Denial Of Reconstructive Surgery

By Alex Ruf On February 25, 2021, the Department of Managed Healthcare’s (DMHC) Office of Enforcement signed a letter of agreement with Aetna Health of California, Inc. (Aetna) with respect to Aetna’s violations of Health and Safety Code sections 1367.63(a) Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Issues Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Report for Measurement Year 2019

By Meena Kaypour On December 30, 2020, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) released its Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Report for Measurement Year 2019. Pursuant to SB 17 (Hernandez) (Chapter 603, Statutes of 2017), Health and Safety Code section Continue reading