Covered California sends letters informing consumers their health plans will cancelled on October 31st.
From Covered California communication with Certified Insurance Agents and Certified Enrollment Counselors
Pre-Termination Notices Will Be Sent Today To Fewer Than 11,000 People
SACRAMENTO, Calif. Covered California announced Monday it has been able to clear the citizenship/lawful presence status of the vast majority of individuals who were sent notices seeking verification documents in September, meaning that pre-termination notices will be sent today to cases involving only 10,474 people.
Of the 98,900 families, representing more than 148,000 individuals, who received multiple notices starting in September informing them of the need for citizenship or immigration status verification, 9,645 families did not provide documentation. This means that Covered California is initiating termination processes for the health coverage for the 10,474 people in those families. They will be sent pre-termination notices by Covered California starting today. The notices will give individuals information about how they can have their coverage reinstated if they can prove their citizenship/lawful presence status. Final termination notices will be sent by the health plans in which they enrolled.
Covered California received proof of legal status for more than 82,000 families, representing 130,105 individuals. Covered California continues to review case information involving 6,670 families, including 7,629 people, who have attempted to verify citizenship or immigration status.
Beginning October 6, Covered California will inform consumers who failed to submit citizenship or lawful presence eligibility documents that their coverage will end on October 31, 2014. The notice encourages consumers to call a special Helpline or file an appeal if they still want to submit documents. When talking to consumers:
- Reiterate that the individuals listed on the notice no longer qualify for health insurance and their current health coverage will end on October 31, 2014.
- The health insurance company will send the individuals listed in the letter a notice that their health plan will end on October 31, 2014
- Other members in the household whose documents were not requested will remain in their current health plan.
Explain that if the consumer received financial assistance to lower their monthly premium, the consumer may have to repay some or all of the tax credits when they file taxes for 2014.
If consumers are having trouble submitting documents and have questions, they can call the Helpline at 1(800) 909-6822 to speak with a representative. They can call Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free. For TTY, call (888) 889-4500.
Consumers have the right to appeal the decision to terminate their coverage. They can login to their account, or print an appeal form at CoveredCA.com. They can also call the Helpline to ask for an appeal.
Consumers can still submit valid verification documents through the end of the calendar year and have their coverage reinstated back to November 1, 2014 if their documents are verified. This will ensure no lapse in coverage. However, consumers will be responsible for any premium payments owed for the months they did not have coverage. If consumers submitted their documents and would like to be reinstated or have questions, they should call the Covered California Helpline at 1(800) 909-6822.
Consumers are also welcome to apply for a new plan during open enrollment from November 15, 2014 February 15, 2015. They will still need to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence. New coverage would begin in 2015.
Pre-termination Notices: Resources
On Monday, October 13, 2014, Covered California emailed agents the Press Release about the Lawful Presence Pre-Termination Notice that was sent to out to a select group of consumers. In order to provide agents with the resources to assist consumers that received this notice, Covered California has developed several informative tools.
Pre-termination notice Frequently Ask Questions
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Pre-termination consumer notice Spanish
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Pre-termination consumer notice English
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Pre-termination notice partner resources
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