(a) Every disability insurer that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses and that reviews and approves the medical necessity or appropriateness of requests by providers prior to, or concurrently with, the provision of health care services to insureds, shall prominently indicate on each insured’s identification card whether a separate telephone number must be called to verify eligibility for benefits and coverage.
(b) A written notice shall accompany the initial mailing of the insured’s identification card modified pursuant to subdivision (a). The notice shall indicate that the insured’s identification card includes a telephone number that may be used to verify eligibility for benefits and coverage. The notice shall also inform the insured that review and approval of a health care service based on medical necessity or appropriateness does not constitute eligibility for benefits and coverage pursuant to the policy or contract.
(Added by renumbering Section 10123.135 (as added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 88) by Stats. 2000, Ch. 241, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)