California Strengthens Mental Health Parity Act To Expand Access 

On July 17, 2025, the California Department of Insurance enacted new regulations to ensure that health insurance plans sold in the state comply with California’s Mental Health Parity Act. The regulations require health insurance plans to cover health care services that are medically necessary to diagnose, prevent, and treat all mental health conditions, as well as substance use disorders, equal to coverage provided for other medical conditions. These regulations also establish a formal process for consumers to file complaints so the California Department of Insurance can investigate claims denials and other unequal service by insurance companies. After an investigation . . .