California legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California SB331: Health care coverage: hearing aids.
Status: Chaptered, September 30, 2026
What the bill says
An act to add Section 1367.72 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.72 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. health care coverage Health care coverage: hearing aids. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law also provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance…
From the chaptered text, September 30, 2026:
An act to add Section 1367.72 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.72 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. health care coverage Health care coverage: hearing aids. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law also provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law requires an individual or small group health care service plan contract or health insurance policy to include, at a minimum, coverage for essential health benefits, as specified. Commencing January 1, 2027, if the United States Department of Health and Human Services approves a new essential health benefits benchmark plan for the state, existing law requires essential health benefits to include an annual hearing exam and one hearing aid per ear every three years. This bill, the Let California Kids Hear Act, would require a large group health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028, to include coverage for hearing aids, as defined, and related services for enrollees and insureds under 21 years of age, if medically necessary. The bill …
Sponsors
- Padilla, Stephen (D, SD18) · primary sponsor