(a) (1) For a small employer health insurance policy offered, sold, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014, the deductible under the policy shall not exceed:

(A) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) in the case of a policy covering a single individual.

(B) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) in the case of any other policy.

(2) The dollar amounts in this section shall be indexed consistent with Section 1302(c)(4) of PPACA and any federal rules or guidance pursuant to that section.

(3) The limitation in this subdivision shall be applied in a manner that does not affect the actuarial value of any small employer health insurance policy.

(4) For small group products at the bronze level of coverage, as defined in Section 10112.295, the department may permit insurers to offer a higher deductible in order to meet the actuarial value requirement of the bronze level. In making this determination, the department shall consider affordability of cost sharing for insureds and shall also consider whether insureds may be deterred from seeking appropriate care because of higher cost sharing.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a policy to have a deductible that applies to preventive services as defined in PPACA.

(c) This section shall not apply to multiple employer welfare arrangements regulated pursuant to Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 742.20) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 1 that provide health care benefits to their members and that comply with small group health reforms unless otherwise required by federal law or guidance.

(d) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 641, Sec. 4. (AB 1305) Effective January 1, 2016.)