Insights

On Sept. 23, 2016, Gov. Brown signed SB 1135 into law. The new legislation requires health plans and insurers in California to notify consumers and health care providers about a patient’s right to timely care and language assistance. Under current law, consumers have the right to timely access to care and care in their preferred language. However, very few people know these consumer protections exist. Therefore, this new law requires health plans and insurers to communicate these rights through existing documents and communication channels, such as:

• Evidence of coverage documents;
• Wherever information on language assistance is provided, as required by existing law;
• Provider directories;
• Health plan and insurer websites; and
• Annual enrollment or renewal notices.

In addition, SB 1135 requires health plans and insurers in California to provide doctors, hospitals and other health providers with information about timely access requirements.

SB 1135 is effective July 1, 2017.

SB 1135 »