Covered California Update June 13, 2013 California Legislation, Federal Legislation, Legislation ACA, Affordable Care Act, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente 0 Covered California, the state agency implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has announced participating health insurers and proposed premiums for the state's exchange. 13 commercial health plans were selected to offer products on the exchange, including California's three largest insurance providers, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California. One major concern for contracting physicians is a loophole in the ACA that could see physicians left to foot the bill for services provided to patients who haven't paid their insurance premiums. The law allows for a three month "grace period" for non-payment of premiums, but only requires insurers to pay the claims through the first month of non-payment. The final version of the exchange model contract included a provision that requires 15 days advance notice to physicians when a patient has entered the second month of the grace period, but still leaves the burden of 60 days worth of unpaid claims on the physician and the patient. For more information about Covered California, please contact your RCMA Physician Advocate Mitzi Young at myoung@cmanet.org or (888) 236-0267. Comments are closed.
