SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2292, authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), eliminating administrative fees charged to Californians for medical certification forms required to access state disability benefits.
AB 2292 prohibits physicians and other practitioners from charging administrative fees to complete initial or continued disability benefit certification forms, including recertification paperwork. Providers may still bill for legitimate medical services associated with an examination, including applicable copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
“Californians already pay into our state disability insurance system, and they shouldn’t face an additional fee just to complete the paperwork necessary to access the benefits they’ve earned,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward. “For workers without an HR department to help navigate the process, including small business employees and self-employed Californians, these fees can become one more unnecessary barrier at a time when they are already dealing with an illness, injury, or caring for a loved one.”
AB 2292 ensures Californians can complete required medical certification without being charged a separate administrative fee solely for the paperwork.