20-673 State of Emergency: Extreme Weather Conditions and Fires in the State of California
Date: 08/20/20
This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, and Ancillary providers.
For Medi-Cal, this information applies to Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties.
Support for Health Net members impacted by the record-breaking temperatures and resulting fires throughout the state
On August 18, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency throughout the state. Health Net is providing assistance to members in areas affected by the extreme heat and weather conditions that have resulted in fires throughout the state.
We want to help ensure that members who have been impacted because they or their usual health care providers have been temporarily displaced, have continued access to health care services and prescriptions during the state of emergency.
Here is what you need to know.
Prior authorization, precertification and referrals
Health Net is taking steps to ensure that Health Net participating providers in impacted areas are able to continue providing care for Health Net members’ medical needs.
Health Net participating providers may call the Provider Services Center using the contact information provided in the right-hand column of this page for guidance on:
- Easing of time limitations for prior authorizations, precertification and referrals for treatment.
- Approval for out-of-network services in the event a contracting provider or facility becomes unavailable.
- Authorization for the replacement of medical equipment or supplies.
Filing claims
The deadline to file claims for providers impacted by the extreme weather conditions and resulting fires will be extended. Providers may contact the Provider Services Center using the contact information provided in the right-hand column of this page for additional guidance on claims extension time frames.
Prescription information
Health Net will approve any essential prescription medications (with current copayments and deductibles) for any Health Net member whose medication access has been impacted by the state of emergency. Providers should inform their Health Net patients that to obtain an emergency supply of a prescription medication, affected members can return to the pharmacy where the original prescription was filled. If the pharmacy is not open due to the state of emergency, affected Health Net members can contact Health Net’s Emergency Response line at 1-800-400-8987, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time (PT), for questions or assistance.
Coping assistance
Health Net members impacted by this state of emergency may contact MHN, Health Net’s behavioral health subsidiary, for referrals to mental health counselors, local resources or telephonic consultations to help them cope with stress, grief, loss, or other trauma resulting from this state of emergency. For the duration of the state of emergency and its immediate aftermath, affected Health Net members may contact MHN 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-227-1060.
Additional information
Depending on how the extreme weather conditions and resulting fires progress, Health Net may make additional changes to its policies as needed to ensure members have access to necessary health care services.
If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact the applicable Health Net Provider Services Center at:
Line of Business | Telephone Number | Provider Portal | Email Address |
EnhancedCare PPO (IFP) | 1-844-463-8188 | provider_services@healthnet.com | |
EnhancedCare PPO (SBG) | 1-844-463-8188 | ||
Health Net Employer Group HMO, POS, HSP, PPO, & EPO | 1-800-641-7761 | ||
IFP (CommunityCare HMO, PPO, PureCare HSP, PureCare One EPO) | 1-888-926-2164 | ||
Medicare (individual) | 1-800-929-9224 | ||
Medicare (employer group) | 1-800-929-9224 | ||
Medi-Cal | 1-800-675-6110 | N/A |