Department of Managed Healthcare Levies $250,000 Against Blue Shield of California for Illegal Billing of Contraceptive Services

By Zoe Bulls On August 28th, 2024, the California Department of Managed Healthcare (DMHC) countersigned a Letter of Agreement with California Physicians’ Service (Blue Shield of California) that notified the health plan provider of a $250,000 fine for billing 335 Continue reading

Governor Signs Bills Expanding Protections for Health Care Providers Regarding Reproductive and Gender Affirming Health Care Services

By Emily Powers On September 27, 2023, Governor Newsom signed two bills, SB 345 (Skinner) (Chapter 260, Statutes of 2023) and AB 1707 (Pacheco) (Chapter 258, Statutes of 2023), to protect California’s doctors and other health care providers from criminalization, Continue reading

Department of Managed Healthcare Proposes Rulemaking Action on Annual, Quarterly, and Monthly Financial Reporting Requirements

By Yusra Serhan On December 24, 2021, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) published notice of its intent to adopt Rule 1300.84.03; amend and renumber Rules 1300.84.06; amendment to Rules 1300.84.2 and 1300.84.3; and renumber Rules 1300.84.06 to 1300.84.1, 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 of Managed Health Care’s Financial Solvency Standards Board Quarterly Update – August 2020

By Meena Kaypour On August 19, 2020, the Department of Managed Health Care’s (DMHC) Financial Solvency Standards Board (FSSB) held its quarterly meeting via Zoom. DMHC staff provided a number of updates to FSSB, namely the Department of Health Care Continue reading

Governor Newsom Signs SB 855 Into Law, Requiring Health Plans Cover Medically Necessary Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

By Alex Ruf SB 855 (Wiener), as amended  August 24, 2020, and as it applies to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), adds sections 1367.045 and 1374.721, and repeals and adds section 1374.72, to the Health and Safety Code Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Orders Aetna to Pay Fine for Improper Denial of Emergency Room Claims

By Meena Kaypour On August 25, 2020, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued a cease and desist order to Aetna Health of California, Inc. with respect to its continued failure to comply with California standards for emergency room Continue reading