For more information about insurance coverage of clinical trial costs, see this feature's main page: States That Require Health Plans to Pay for Clinical Trial Costs.

Legislation: Assembly Bill 617

Effective: Nov. 1, 2006

What clinical trials are covered?

All phases of cancer clinical trials, as approved by one of the following:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• NIH Cooperative Group or Center
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Who is required to pay?

All health benefit plans operating in the state, including self-insured plans.

Other key provisions:

• The cancer trial must have therapeutic intent, not exclusively testing toxicity or disease pathophysiology.