Blue Shield of California announced that it was getting a slice of the lucrative government Medi-Cal pie with its acquisition of Care1st of Los Angeles County. Blue Shield has been missing the easy money of Medi-Cal payments that Blue Cross, Health Net and Kaiser have been receiving from different California counties when they offer a Medi-Cal managed care HMO […]
Search Results for: covered california
Multi-State health plans limit abortion coverage
Multi-State health plans offered in most states limit coverage for abortions to what is considered therapeutic or non-excepted abortions. Abortions will only be covered under the Multi-State Plans (MSP) in the cases of harm to the mother’s health or conception as a result of rape or incest. Elective abortions are not a covered benefit under MSPs. Multi-State […]
Health Net’s new skinny EPO and HSP networks
While Covered California was preparing a large press announcement with the California Medical Association (CMA) about extolling the number of physicians that are participating in Covered California individual and family health plans, Health Net was releasing their list of providers in their new narrow network Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO) and Health Service Plans (HSP). A search […]
Blue Shield and Blue Cross struggle with renewal letters to members
In the confusing landscape of health insurance regulations post ACA implementation, numerous health insurance companies have sent out renewal letters to members with errors. Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net and even Covered California have had to send follow-up letters to correct erroneous information. Unfortunately, this incorrect correspondence only leads to more confusion surrounding the benefits and renewal […]
Valley Health Plan
2020 Plans Rates In 2020 Valley Health Plan will expand their service area into San Benito County. They will be offering off-exchange health plans in Aromas (95004), Hollister (95023, 95024), and San Juan Bautista (95045). 2019 VHP Documents Valley Health Plan is only offered in Santa Clara County. They are available through Covered California and […]
More cuts to health agent commissions, can independents survive?
The commission structure for individual and family plans has been on a steady decline since the Affordable Care Act began to be implemented in 2011. As the commissions to agents have decreased, the request from clients for assistance has increased. Now a major carrier has announced a reduction in commissions for small group plans. There […]
Don’t renew until you’ve read the health plan ingredients
After four years in the health insurance business I have learned to read the fine print. Health insurance is like a can of fruit cocktail; the essential elements might be in the package but the manufacturer might be adding something you don’t want. Never trust the marketing of any insurance product because they always over […]
Crowd sourcing my website design
I am the first to admit that when it comes to designing my website I’m walking through a dark room with a blind fold over my eyes. Because I have gotten various critiques, both positive and negative, from professional website designers and visitors, I decided I would do a little crowd sourcing with designing my […]
Kaiser keeps the premiums, ignores plan activation
Ms. B had been faithfully making her premium payments for her Kaiser health plan she purchased through Covered California during open enrollment in 2014. When she went to use her health plan, Kaiser told her that the plan was not active. But the enrollment summary of her Covered California account shows she is enrolled. It […]
Health Net PPO cancellation letters and new HSP plan
Health Net of California is sending letters to current members in their IFP PPO plans that they can keep the health plan they purchased through Covered California but they won’t be able to receive the ACA tax credits in 2015. Health Net will no longer offer their PPO plans through Covered California. In their place […]