§ 10120.41

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Dental waiting period provision” means a health insurance policy provision that limits coverage for a specified period of time following an insured’s effective date of coverage.

(2) “Health insurer” means an insurer that issues, sells, renews, or offers a policy of health insurance, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 106, covering dental services, including a specialized health insurance policy covering dental services, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 106.

(3) “Preexisting condition provision” means a policy provision that excludes or limits coverage for services, charges, or expenses incurred following an insured’s effective date of coverage for a condition for which dental services, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received preceding the effective date of coverage.

(b) On and after January 1, 2025, a health insurer shall not issue, sell, renew, or offer a policy that imposes a dental waiting period provision in a large group dental insurance policy or preexisting condition provision upon an insured for any dental insurance policy.

(c) This section does not apply to Medi-Cal dental managed care contracts authorized under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 557, Sec. 4. (AB 1048) Effective January 1, 2024.)