Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance
The summary of benefits of the health plans indicates 100 days of skilled nursing facility residency per member per benefit period. The benefit period begins when you enter the facility and ends when you leave or 60 days after you are discharged. This is where the descriptions get a little hazy. One interpretation is that you can have multiple 100-day stays during the year as long as there is a 60-day span between admissions.
There are times when some regions get a huge windfall of subsidies. In Region 9, Valley Health Plan left the region. This dropped the expensive Blue Cross EPO into the SLCSP slot. This resulted in a 57 percent increase of the SLCSP rate in 2025 from Blue Shield HMO that was the SLCSP in 2024.
The Silver 73 has lower cost-sharing than a Silver 70 and is unchanged for 2025. There are no medical or pharmacy deductibles. The maximum out-of-pocket is $6,100. The most significant change is that it will be available to any Covered California enrollee with income over 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
For eligible households with income over 250 percent FPL, only the Silver 73 plan will be offered, which is a better value than a Silver 70. At least for 2025, there will be no Silver 70 for qualifying households. The Silver 70 will still be offered to consumers who opt not to be considered for the Advance Premium Tax Credit subsidies based on household income.
Other plans may have an out-of-network deductible of $500 to $750+. The out-of-network deductible must be satisfied before the plan begins to share in the cost of the health care services or out-of-network services.
The goal of the program is not to have parents or legal guardians have to pay out-of-pocket for covered services and hearing aids. However, if the family has other insurance, the provider must bill that health plan first, which may require some initial costs by the family. After the private health plan has paid their share, HACCP will supplement the remaining costs.
The virtual PCP can refer to an in-person specialist. The goal for Blue Shield’s virtual PCP implementation is to reduce wait times to see a physician and reduce costs to the plan and member. Behavioral health will also be a part of the Accolade Care virtual system as well as a health coach. PPO plan members will also be able to select an Accolade Care virtual PCP.
While the network of health care providers is small with Medi-Cal programs, if you qualify for the 250% Working Disabled Program, you may be able to save quite a bit of money. To see you if you might qualify, contact your county’s social service department for Medi-Cal eligibility unit.
All of the categories of health insurance premium assistance – Individual and Family, Medicare, Employer Sponsored – can also help with out-of-pocket health care expenses. The programs will cover expenses that accrue to meeting the maximum out-of-pocket amount of the health plan. These costs include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, all of which add towards the maximum out-of-pocket amount.
The 2025 Medicare Part D standard benefit structure will have a $590 deductible. After the drug deductible is met the plan member goes into the initial coverage phase. During the initial coverage phase, the plan member is responsible for 25 percent of the drug costs.
