Oscar is expanding their health plan availability into San Francisco County for 2017. They will continue to serve part of Los Angeles and all of Orange counties. They have notified members enrolled in some of their 2016 off-exchange plans that they will no longer be offered. The Simple Silver, Simple Gold, Simple Platinum, and Simple+ Platinum will not be offered in 2017. Individuals and families in these health plans must select a new health plan no later than December 31, with Oscar to maintain coverage.
Anthem Blue Cross Simple Off Exchange Plan Change Forms
Anthem Blue Cross has made it easier for members with off-exchange plans to change plans without filling out a new application. Current off-exchange members who want to change from their 2016 ACA compliant Anthem plan (purchased off the exchange) to a different off-exchange plan for 2017 can use the appropriate new form instead of having to complete the full enrollment application.
Health Net 2017 Californnia Individual and Family Plans
For 2017, Health Net is offering a variety of health plans throughout California. There are EPOs, HSPs, HMOs, and PPOs plans. Some of the plans are offered through Covered California and some, like the PPO plans, are only offered off-exchange direct from Health Net.
Kaiser Releases 2017 Individual and Family Health Plan Information
Kaiser Permanente has released information pertaining to their individual and family health plans for 2017. Most of Kaiser’s health plans are available through Covered California and are eligible for the monthly tax credit subsidy. These standard benefit designs are also offered off-exchange, in addition to several non-standard benefit design plans only offered direct through Kaiser.
Department of Insurance Receives Health Plan Compliance Grant
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced today it awarded a $1.84 million grant to the California Department of Insurance to enhance enforcement of key market reforms under the Affordable Care Act.
Covered California 2017 Individual and Family Dental Plans
For individuals and families who enroll in a health plan through Covered California they may also select a family dental plan. Any monthly subsidy awarded to the family for health insurance is not applied to the dental plan. Only household members eligible for the APTC monthly tax credit are able to enroll in an on-exchange Covered California dental plan. This means children who are Medi-Cal eligible or adults who have other coverage such as Medicare can’t be included in the family dental plan.
Anthem Blue Cross 2017 Individual and Family Plan Materials
For 2017, we have adjusted our product portfolio to include an exclusive provider organization (EPO) in most rating regions. Rating Regions 10 – 14 (Southern San Joaquin Valley counties) will continue to be offered PPO plans. Members on some 2016 PPO plans and all Tiered PPO plans in these areas will be transitioned to EPO plans effective 1/1/17 (unless they choose a different plan). Members will have access to our Pathway network of doctors and hospitals, but their EPO plan will not cover out-of-network benefits.
Blue Shield $5 Teladoc Consultations for 2017
Blue Shield of California will make Teladoc consultations a $5 copayment for members of their individual and family plans. The $5 Teladoc consultation will be available to both Blue Shield’s HMO and PPO non-grandfathered plans in 2017.
Health Net 2017 Renewal and $50 Gift Card
Health Net of California has announced that all of their 2016 individual and family health plans will roll into 2017. There will be no plan closures making it easier for current members to renew their health plan for the 2017 calendar year. In letters being sent out on September 30, Health Net will be offering a $50 gift card as a reward for certain healthy initiatives on the member’s part.
2017 Small Group Rate Changes and Expansion from Covered California
Covered California announced today the rates and expansion plans for its small group health insurance exchange, Covered California for Small Business. The statewide weighted average rate increase is 5.9 percent, for employers and their employees beginning Jan. 1, 2017, which is down from the 7.2 percent increase in 2016.