(a) A transfer of enrollment from one health benefit plan to another may be made by an employee or annuitant at times and under conditions as may be prescribed by regulations of the board.
(b) In the case of a health benefit plan in which services are provided by a limited panel of physicians associated with the plan, it is recognized that it may be impossible or impractical to maintain acceptable physician-patient relationships with particular employees, annuitants, or family members. In those cases, the employee or annuitant may submit the question of ability to maintain adequate physician-patient relationships for consideration under the grievance procedure provided pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 22853. If the grievance procedure results in a determination that an adequate physician-patient relationship cannot reasonably be maintained, then the employee or annuitant may, in accordance with regulations of the board, change his or her enrollment to another health benefit plan without regard to physical condition, age, race, or other status.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 69, Sec. 22. Effective June 24, 2004.)