22-020 State of Emergency: Winter Storms in Multiple Counties
Date: 01/05/22
This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, and Ancillary providers.
For Medi-Cal, this information applies to Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Bernardino counties.
Support for Health Net members impacted by storms
On December 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sierra, and Yuba counties due to the winter storms and effects from them (mud and flooding over burn scars, accumulated snow, power outages, road closures, etc.) over the last few weeks. Health Net is providing assistance to members in the counties affected by these winter storms.
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 participating providers in areas affected by the winter storms are able to continue providing care for members’ medical needs.
Participating providers may call the Provider Services Center using the contact information 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 winter storms will be extended. Providers may contact the Provider Services Center using the contact information 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 member in the aforementioned counties whose medication was lost in a winter storm or remained behind during an evacuation. Providers should inform their Health Net patients that to obtain an emergency supply, 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 members can contact Health Net’s Emergency Response line at 800-400-8987, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time (PT), for questions or assistance.
Coping assistance
Health Net members who have lost their homes or have been evacuated due to the winter storms 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 the winter storms. For the duration of the winter storms and their immediate aftermath, affected members may contact MHN 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-227-1060.
Additional information
Depending on how the winter storms 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 within 60 days, by phone or through the Health Net provider website as listed in below.
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 | |
Cal MediConnect – Los Angeles County | 1-855-464-3571 |
| provider_services@healthnet.com |
Cal MediConnect – San Diego County | 1-855-464-3572 |