(a) Levels of coverage for the nongrandfathered individual market are defined as follows:

(1) Bronze level: A health insurance policy in the bronze level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 60 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the policy.

(2) Silver level: A health insurance policy in the silver level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 70 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the policy.

(3) Gold level: A health insurance policy in the gold level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 80 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the policy.

(4) Platinum level: A health insurance policy in the platinum level shall provide a level of coverage that is actuarially equivalent to 90 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the policy.

(b) Actuarial value for nongrandfathered individual health insurance policies shall be determined in accordance with the following:

(1) Actuarial value shall not vary by more than plus or minus 2 percent.

(2) Actuarial value shall be determined on the basis of essential health benefits as defined in Section 10112.27 and as provided to a standard, nonelderly population. For this purpose, a standard population shall not include those receiving coverage through the Medi-Cal or Medicare programs.

(3) The department may use the actuarial value methodology developed consistent with Section 1302(d) of PPACA.

(4) The actuarial value for pediatric dental benefits, whether offered by a major medical policy or a specialized health insurance policy, shall be consistent with federal law and guidance applicable to the policy type.

(5) The department, in consultation with the Department of Managed Health Care and the Exchange, shall consider whether to exercise state-level flexibility with respect to the actuarial value calculator in order to take into account the unique characteristics of the California health care coverage market, including the prevalence of health insurance policies, total cost of care paid for by the health insurer, price of care, patterns of service utilization, and relevant demographic factors.

(c) (1) A catastrophic policy is a health insurance policy that provides no benefits for any plan year until the insured has incurred cost-sharing expenses in an amount equal to the annual limit on out-of-pocket costs as specified in Section 10112.28 except that it shall provide coverage for at least three primary care visits. A carrier that is not participating in the Exchange shall not offer, market, or sell a catastrophic plan in the individual market.

(2) A catastrophic policy may be offered only in the individual market and only if consistent with this paragraph. Catastrophic policies may be offered only if either of the following apply:

(A) The individual purchasing the policy has not yet attained 30 years of age before the beginning of the plan year.

(B) The individual has a certificate of exemption from Section 5000(A) of the Internal Revenue Code because the individual is not offered affordable coverage or because the individual faces hardship.

(d) This section shall apply to a policy of health insurance, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 106, that covers any essential health benefit as defined in Section 10112.27. This section shall not apply to a specialized health insurance policy that does not cover any of the essential health benefits.

(e) “PPACA” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any rules, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.

(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 316, Sec. 12. (SB 639) Effective January 1, 2014.)