New Laws Impacting Family Physicians in 2025: Key Legislative Changes in California

January 20, 2025 – The 2024 legislative session saw a record number of bills passing in California. These new laws will directly affect family physicians in 2025. From improving access to care to promoting physician wellness, these changes will shape clinical practice and patient care. In this article, we outline the most significant laws that will impact family physicians.

Top Ten New Laws Impacting Family Physicians

Here’s a quick overview of the top ten laws set to take effect in 2025. These laws cover a wide range of topics, from health coverage to training requirements and mental health support.

Bill NumberTitleKey Provisions
AB 1842Health Care Coverage: Medication-Assisted TreatmentRequires health plans to cover essential medications for opioid overdose and substance use disorder without prior authorization or step therapy.
AB 1991Licensee and Registrant Renewal: National Provider IdentifierPhysicians must include their National Provider Identifier (NPI) when renewing licenses electronically.
AB 2164Physicians and Surgeons: Licensure RequirementsProhibits requiring disclosure of mental health conditions that don’t affect a physician’s ability to practice safely.
AB 2258Health Care Coverage: Cost SharingEliminates cost sharing for preventive care services like cancer screenings and home test kits for STDs.
AB 2319California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth ActExpands implicit bias training requirements for physicians, with a deadline for completion by June 1, 2025.
AB 3030Health Care Services: Artificial Intelligence (AI)Requires facilities using generative AI for patient communications to include disclaimers and contact instructions for physicians.
SB 639Medical Professionals: Course RequirementsRequires physicians with a large elderly patient population to complete education in gerontology and dementia care.
SB 1320Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder TreatmentRequires health plans to reimburse for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in primary care visits.
SB 1385Medi-Cal: Community Health Workers (CHW)Medi-Cal managed care plans must implement billing processes for community health worker services in emergency visits and outpatient follow-ups.

Notable Ballot Measures

Proposition 35: Managed Health Care Tax

Proposition 35 makes the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans permanent. This measure is expected to raise $2 to $5 billion annually, supporting health care funding and increasing Medi-Cal payment rates.

Explore More Legislative Wins

For a deeper dive into all healthcare-related measures from the 2024 session, check out CalMatters’ Digital Democracy Tool. This tool allows you to track every bill, vote, and legislative action. Additionally, mark your calendar for the 2025 Member Advocacy Meeting on March 15-16, followed by Lobby Day on March 17. Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and involved.

Significant New Laws of Note

The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) has set legislative priorities focused on advancing payment reform, promoting primary care workforce growth, and supporting physician wellness. Many new laws align with these priorities, addressing key issues like access, reproductive health, mental health, and licensing.

Advancing Payment Reform and System Transformation

These laws aim to transform payment models, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure equitable care. For instance, AB 1842 ensures that essential medications for opioid treatment are covered without delays. This helps improve access to care for patients with substance use disorders.

Promoting the Growth of the Primary Care Physician Workforce

CAFP continues to prioritize reducing physician burnout and increasing family physicians in California. SB 639, for example, requires education in gerontology and dementia care for physicians serving older patients, ensuring long-term workforce growth.

Reproductive and Maternal Health

Laws like AB 2319, which expands implicit bias training for healthcare providers, seek to reduce disparities in maternal care. This builds on California’s commitment to improving maternal health outcomes by addressing systemic biases affecting communities of color.

Mental and Behavioral Health

SB 1320 and AB 1320 mandate reimbursement for mental health and substance use disorder services provided during primary care visits. This shift allows family physicians to offer more comprehensive care and reduces the burden on specialists.

Licensing and Artificial Intelligence

AB 3030 requires health facilities using AI for patient communication to disclose its use, ensuring transparency. AB 1991 and AB 2164 simplify licensing processes, fostering a more supportive environment for physicians.

Conclusion

Family physicians must stay informed about these key legislative changes. While these new laws present challenges, they also offer opportunities to improve patient care and strengthen California’s healthcare system. For a complete review of 2024 legislative measures, visit CalMatters. Keep up with further updates at MedLegalNews.com.

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