California Health News

Health Net Covered California missing enrollments

Health Net

Re-enrollment required by January 31st for some Health Net members enrolled via Covered California

Situation update from Health Net of California, Inc. and Health Net Life Insurance Company (Health Net)  
 
We are continuing to reach out to our Individual & Family Plan (IFP) members who do not appear in Covered California’s files. This effort began in December when we first learned of the data mismatch from Covered California.
 
Covered California is giving members until January 31 to re-enroll. What members have to do:
 
1.  Re-enroll in their current Health Net plan via Covered California. They can do this via
www.CoveredCA.com, by calling the Covered California Service Center at
1-800-300-1506, or working with their agent.
 
2.  Then, they have to call Covered California and request:
  • Coverage effective January 1, 2016
  • Any tax credits retroactive to January 1, 2016
3.  Last step: premium payment 
  • We are directing consumers to call our Customer Contact Center at 1-888-926-4988 to pay the premium amount that Covered California displays after they re-enroll to take care of their January premium.  
  • We will send the March bill in mid-February. The total due for members who re-enroll will equal the February and March premium amounts less any deductions for tax credits, and with any adjustments for the January premium. Members may owe more for January or less, depending on actual tax credits and amount.

Note: Health Net is still required to send risk of termination letters even though the members have until January 31 to re-enroll. 

We also are providing talking points that you can use if you receive any calls from clients who may be in this situation. Click here to view/download the PDF Talking Points document.

Talking Points in Q&A Format

Q. What coverage do I have if I didn’t re-enroll in December? Do I have coverage?

A. Yes. Health Net renewed you onto the plan you had in 2015 to make sure you continue to have health care coverage. However, you were re-enrolled without tax credits even if you qualify for them. That’s why it’s so important to take action, and re-enroll today.

Q. Why do I have to re-enroll? I got a letter from Health Net saying my coverage will renew for 2016 and I don’t have to do anything.

A. The reason is that Covered California doesn’t show you as an active member in their system. Health Net does and that’s why we sent you the renewal letter.

It’s very important that you are active in the Covered California system, and that’s why you have to re-enroll by January 31. It’s the only way you will get tax credits in 2016 if you qualify for them.

Q. Why am I showing active with Health Net but not with Covered California?

A. We are not certain why this happened. It does mean that you have to re-enroll by January 31st so Covered California shows you as an active member. I know it’s inconvenient. The good news is that by re-enrolling, you will get tax credits in 2016 if you qualify for them.

Q. How do I enroll in a new plan through Covered California?

A. I (your agent) can either re-enroll you, or go over the steps with you. [If the latter, here are the steps.]

1. Re-enroll for your current Health Net plan at www dot Covered CA dot com. Or you can call the Covered California Service Center at 1-800-300-1506.

1. Call Covered California and tell them you want:

 Your coverage effective January 1, 2016

 Any tax credits retroactive to January 1, 2016

2. Pay the premium amount that Covered California shows after you re-enroll for your January payment. You can call us back at 1-888-926-4988 to pay.

3. Look for your March bill in mid-February. It will list any adjustments for your January payment. It will also show the amount due for February and March with deductions for any tax credits you get. Pay the total due by March 1, 2016.

Q. Why did I get a risk of termination letter from Health Net? I re-enrolled like they told me to do.

A. It’s great that you re-enrolled. Health Net had to send the letter to meet regulatory timing requirements. You can ignore the letter if you re-enrolled and make your premium payment on time.

Q. What do I do with the Health Net bills I got?

A. By now, you have your January bill. You may also have your February bill, or it will be coming soon.

 For January, pay the premium amount that Covered California shows after you re-enroll for your January payment. You can call us back at 1-888-926-4988 to pay. Or I can take it for you now if you’ve already re-enrolled and have the amount.

 Look for your March bill in mid-February. It will list any adjustments for your January payment. It will also show the amount due for February and March with deductions for any tax credits you get. Pay the total due by March 1, 2016.

Q. Can I pay [online] [with Health Net’s phone system] like I usually do?

A. You can, just know that the amount you [see] [hear] may not be accurate because of the timing. If you re-enroll and get tax credits, the amount you owe will be lower.

Q. I set up automatic online payments. What do I do?

A. Once you have your final premium for 2016 — with any tax credits applied — update your recurring payment instructions with that amount. Your premium amount will be on your March bill, which you will get in mid-February.

Would you like me to go over the update steps with you?

  • Log into your account at www.healthnet.com.
  •  Click the orange Online Bill Pay button.
  •  On the “View/Pay Bill” page, go to the “Make an Online Payment” section.
  •  Click on the green Pay Bill button.
  •  Select the Recurring Settings tab and follow the steps to enjoy the convenience of paying your Health Net premium online, automatically each month.

Q. I already paid my January [February] bill. It was too much. How do I get a refund?

A. Health Net will deduct any overpayment from your March bill. If you can’t wait, you can call Health Net and ask for a refund. The number to call is 1-888-926-4988.

Q. I want to cancel my current Health Net coverage. How do I do that?

A. Call Health Net at 1-888-926-4988, so they can cancel you.

Q. Can I change the health plan I want?

A. Yes. You can make a change anytime before January 31, 2016. That’s the end of open enrollment for 2016. If you make a change in January, your new coverage will begin either February 1 or March 1, depending on the date you make the change.