CaliforniaLarge-group plans and Medi-Cal would cover prescribed scalp cooling
People receiving certain chemotherapy could get prescribed scalp cooling covered by large-group plans starting in 2027, and by Medi-Cal when federal approval and funding allow.
What it does
Large-group health plans and insurers must cover prescribed scalp cooling for people receiving chemotherapy that can cause hair loss. Only FDA-cleared devices or systems qualify, and regular cost sharing may apply.
Medi-Cal will cover prescribed, FDA-cleared scalp cooling for eligible patients receiving certain chemotherapy, subject to medical necessity and utilization controls. Coverage depends on federal approval and available federal funding.
Argument forPeople receiving certain chemotherapy may be able to get prescribed scalp cooling covered, which could help reduce treatment-related hair loss.
Argument againstPatients may still face out-of-pocket costs under large-group plans, and Medi-Cal coverage may depend on medical necessity and available federal approval and funding.
More detail
Large-group plans and insurers must cover prescribed scalp cooling. This covers large-group health care service plans and large-group health insurance policies. The device or system must be cleared by the FDA, and a health care provider must prescribe it to reduce hair loss linked to chemotherapy. Cost sharing may apply, but it cannot be less favorable than cost sharing for oncology supportive care under the same coverage. This rule does not apply to specialized health plans or specialized health insurance policies. Medi-Cal managed care is covered under the separate Medi-Cal provision. The requirement applies to a large-group contract or policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
Medi-Cal must cover prescribed scalp cooling, subject to medical necessity and utilization controls. This applies to Medi-Cal beneficiaries receiving chemotherapy that can cause hair loss. The device or system must be cleared by the FDA and prescribed to reduce hair loss linked to chemotherapy. Implementation must follow federal law and depends on necessary federal approvals and federal funding being available without jeopardy. The provision takes effect only to the extent necessary federal approvals have been obtained and federal funding is available without being jeopardized.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 541, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 71. Noes 0. Page 6633.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1682 Hart Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1682 Hart et al. By Rubio. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 24
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 10Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- May 28In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 67. Noes 1. Page 5446.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 1682 Hart Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Feb 3From printer. May be heard in committee March 5.
- Feb 2Read first time. To print.Introduced
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