(a)
On and after January 1, 1993, every health care service plan that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses on a group basis shall offer benefits for the comprehensive preventive care of children. This section shall apply to children 17 and 18 years of age, except as provided in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b). Every plan shall communicate the availability of these benefits to all group contractholders and to all prospective group contractholders with whom they are negotiating. This section shall apply to a plan which, by rule or order of the director, has been exempted from subdivision (i) of Section 1367, insofar as that section and the rules thereunder relate to the provision of the preventive health care services described herein.(b)
For purposes of this section, benefits for the comprehensive preventive care of children shall comply with both of the following:(1)
Be consistent with both of the following:(A)
The Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care, as adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in September of 1987.(B)
The most current version of the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule/United States, jointly adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, unless the State Department of Health Services determines, within 45 days of the published date of the schedule, that the schedule is not consistent with the purposes of this section.(2)
Provide for the following:(A)
Periodic health evaluations.(B)
Immunizations.(C)
Laboratory services in connection with periodic health evaluations.(D)
For health care service plan contracts within the scope of this section that are issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 1993, screening for blood lead levels in children at risk for lead poisoning, as determined by a physician and surgeon affiliated with the plan, when the screening is prescribed by a physician and surgeon affiliated with the plan. This subparagraph shall be applicable to all children and shall not be limited to children 17 and 18 years of age.
Source:
Section 1367.3, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=1367.3..