California found 21 violations of its mental health parity laws in an investigation of five health plans.
In an October 2023 report, the state's Department of Managed Health Care reviewed Contra Costa Health Plan, Ventura County Health Care Plan, Community Care Health Plan, Cigna HealthCare of California and Sutter Health Plus for compliance with parity laws.
The Department of Managed Health Care received funding from the state in its 2020-2021 budget to review plans' compliance with mental health parity laws, according to the report. The state plans to audit five plans each year.
The report found:
- Three of the five health plans had at least one appointment availability and timely access violation.
- Three health plans had at least one utilization management violation.
- Four health plans had at least one quality assurance violation.
- Four health plans had at least one grievance and appeals violation.
- Two had a cultural competency-related violation.
The plans were required to submit a corrective action plan to address any violations. Read the full report here.