(a) Consistent with federal law, a sponsor of a prescription drug plan authorized by the federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173) shall hold a valid license as a health care service plan issued by the department or as a life and disability insurer by the Department of Insurance.

(b) An entity that is licensed as a health care service plan and that operates a prescription drug plan shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter, unless preempted by federal law.

Terms Used In California Health and Safety Code 1350

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 230, Sec. 1. Effective September 6, 2005.)