22-632 State of Emergency: McKinney and Other Fires in Siskiyou County

Date: 08/03/22

This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, and Ancillary providers.

Support for Health Net members impacted by McKinney and other fires in Siskiyou County

On Saturday, July 30, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Siskiyou County due to the McKinney and other fires. Health Net* is providing assistance to members in Siskiyou County affected by the fires.

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 McKinney and other fires are able to continue providing care for members’ medical needs.

Participating providers may call the Provider Services Center using the contact information below 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 McKinney and other fires will be extended. Providers may contact the Provider Services Center using the contact information below 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 Siskiyou County whose medication was lost in a fire 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 lost their homes or have been evacuated due to the current wildfires in Siskiyou County 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 wildfires. For the duration of the Siskiyou County wildfires 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 Siskiyou County wildfires 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.

Provider Service Center:

• Ambetter from Health Net IFP EnhancedCare PPO - 844‐463‐8188
• Health Net Employer Group HMO, POS, HSP, PPO, & EPO - 800‐641‐7761
• Ambetter from Health Net IFP CommunityCare HMO, PPO, PureCare HSP, & PureCare One EPO - 888‐926‐2164