Anthem Blue Cross of California is withdrawing from the Covered California marketplace in 16 of California’s 19 regions, where it serves approximately 153,000 consumers
Anthem’s decision to pull out of some regions will have absolutely no impact on coverage for the remainder of 2017. In the 2018 renewal and open-enrollment periods, consumers will have good options and be given tools to help them switch plans. OLE Health Patient Services Department (707.254.1777) will assist these consumers in shopping and finding the right plan, which will be helped by the fact that more than 84 percent of doctors contracted by Anthem are also available through another health plan.
Those Anthem consumers who need to move to a new plan and choose not to actively shop will be renewed automatically into the lowest-cost plan in their same metal tier. They can change that plan during open enrollment if they so choose.
Covered California will take robust steps in the months ahead to assist the affected Anthem consumers as they transition to another plan, including: regular communication with agents so they can communicate options to their consumers, a new provider directory that will allow consumers to see which doctors are available in which plans, regular marketing emails explaining to consumers their options, and updates to CoveredCA.com with the latest information.
Please contact OLE Health Patient Services Department at 707.254.1777 for more information.
