For more information about insurance coverage of clinical trial costs, see this feature's main page: States That Require Health Plans to Cover Patient Care Costs in Clinical Trials 1. Legislation: Assembly Bill 617 2 Effective: Nov. 1, 2006 What clinical trials are covered? All phases of cancer clinical trials, as approved by one of the following: National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIH Cooperative Group or Center U.S. Food and Drug Administration U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Who is required to pay? All health benefit plans operating in the state, including self-insured plans. Other key provisions: The cancer trial must have therapeutic intent, not exclusively testing toxicity or disease pathophysiology.