Health Plans

AB 2281 by Assembly member Wilma Chan (D-Oakland) was amended to increase the out-of-pocket expense limit from $5,000 to $5,250 for individuals and from $10,000 to $10,500 for families for new high deductible health insurance policies in the state. The amended bill also allows for future increases of that limit. The legislation would require the director of the Department of Managed Health Care and the insurance commissioner by July 1, 2007, to post information on their departments' Web sites that helps consumers evaluate health care coverage plans. The bill also would establish standards and disclosure requirements for health care plans and health insurance for policies beginning July 1, 2007 (Bill text, 5/23). The bill now faces its second reading in the Assembly (Bill status, 5/24).