(a) A group or individual health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014, that provides or covers any benefits with respect to services in an emergency department of a hospital shall cover emergency services as follows:

(1) Without the need for any prior authorization determination.

(2) Whether the health care provider furnishing the services is a participating provider with respect to those services.

(3) In a manner so that, if the services are provided to an insured:

(A) By a nonparticipating health care provider with or without prior authorization; or

(B) (i) The services will be provided without imposing any requirement under the policy for prior authorization of services or any limitation on coverage where the provider of services does not have a contractual relationship with the insurer for the providing of services that is more restrictive than the requirements or limitations that apply to emergency department services received from providers who do have such a contractual relationship with the insurer; and

(ii) If the services are provided to an insured out-of-network, the cost-sharing requirement, expressed as a copayment amount or coinsurance rate, is the same requirement that would apply if the services were provided in-network.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “emergency services” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition:

(1) A medical screening examination that is within the capability of the emergency department of a hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate that emergency medical condition.

(2) Within the capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, further medical examination and treatment as are required under Section 1867(e)(3) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd(e)(3)) to stabilize the patient.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 14. (SB 639) Effective January 1, 2014.)