California Bill Prohibiting Prior Authorizations for Cancer Biomarker Testing Becomes Law

California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed into law bill SB535, which restricts health insurers from using prior authorizations to limit advanced cancer patients’ timely access to biomarker testing. The bill, which passed the California Legislature and was signed by the governor on Oct. 6, amends California’s insurance code related to healthcare coverage and prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for biomarker testing for patients with metastatic stage III or IV cancer, including when their cancers progress or recur. The change in law applies to insurance policies, including those under Medi-Cal managed care plans, which have been issued, amended, or renewed as of July 1, 2000.

Source: https://www.genomeweb.com/molecular-diagnostics/california-bill-prohibiting-prior-authorizations-cancer-biomarker-testing#.YWcChBrMKUk