(a) An individual health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, that provides dependent coverage shall make dependent coverage available to a parent or stepparent who meets the definition of a qualifying relative under Section 152(d) of Title 26 of the United States Code and who lives or resides within the health insurer’s service area.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that individuals who are seeking to add to their policy a dependent parent or stepparent who is eligible for or enrolled in Medicare are informed of and understand their specific rights and health care options before enrolling them in an individual health insurance policy, including the potential benefits, financial assistance, and tax liability under those options.

(c) If an applicant is seeking to add to their policy a dependent parent or stepparent who is eligible for or enrolled in Medicare:

(1) A health insurer shall provide, at the time of solicitation and on the application, to an applicant who does not apply through the California Health Benefit Exchange written notice that the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides health insurance counseling to senior California residents free of charge, including the name, address, and telephone number of the local HICAP program and the statewide HICAP telephone number, 1-800-434-0222.

(2) The California Health Benefit Exchange shall provide to an applicant who applies through the California Health Benefit Exchange written notice that HICAP provides health insurance counseling to senior California residents free of charge, including the name, address, and telephone number of the local HICAP program and the statewide HICAP telephone number, 1-800-434-0222.

(3) An agent shall provide the name, address, and telephone number of the local HICAP program and the statewide HICAP telephone number, 1-800-434-0222, at the time of solicitation.

(d) This section does not apply to specialized health insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, CHAMPUS supplement insurance, or TRICARE supplement insurance, or to hospital-only, accident-only, or specified disease insurance policies that reimburse for hospital, medical, or surgical benefits.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 118, Sec. 2. (AB 2127) Effective January 1, 2023.)