23-295 State of Emergency: Severe Winter Storms Impacting 9 More Counties
Date: 03/16/23
Support for impacted Health Net members
On March 12, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for an additional six counties as a result of ongoing winter storms: Calaveras, Del Norte, Glenn, Kings, San Benito, and San Joaquin. On March 14, 2023, three additional counties were added to the state of emergency to include Alpine, Orange, and Trinity.
These storms are related to the ongoing atmospheric river systems that threaten California, bringing heavy precipitation, tornado warnings, new record flood peaks, downed trees, and widespread power outages. Additionally, the force and longevity of these storms have created multiple cumulative and compounding effects that continue to strain local and state resources.
Health Net* is providing assistance to members affected by the severe 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 severe winter storms are able to continue providing care for members’ medical needs.
Participating providers may call the Provider Services Center using the contact information below this page for guidance on:
- Shortening time limits for health care service plans to approve prior authorization, precertification, or referrals, and extending the time that prior authorizations, precertification, and referrals for treatment remain valid.
- Approving 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 severe winter storms will be extended. Providers may contact the Provider Services Center using the contact information below 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 an area impacted by the severe winter storms whose medication was lost or could not be obtained due to storm conditions. Health Net will also suspend prescription refill limitations and allow an impacted enrollee to refill their prescriptions at an out-of-network pharmacy. Providers should inform their 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, for questions or assistance.
Member insurance cards and health care information
Members whose insurance cards have been lost or left behind due to the state of emergency and members who have health care questions during the state of emergency can contact Health Net’s Emergency Response Line at 800-400-8987, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time, for questions or assistance.
Coping assistance
Members who lost their homes or have been evacuated due to the severe 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 severe winter storms. Affected members may contact MHN 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-227-1060.
Additional information
Depending on how the severe winter storms and their impacts 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 Provider Services Center by phone or through the provider portal.
Line of business | Phone number | Email address |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter from Health Net IFP Ambetter PPO | 844-463-8188 | |
Ambetter HMO | 888-926-2164 | |
Health Net Employer Group HMO, POS, HSP, PPO, & EPO | 800-641-7761 | |
Medicare (Individual & Employer Group) | 800-929-9224 | |
Medi-Cal (including CS and ECM providers) | 800-675-6110 | N/A |
This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, Ancillary providers, Community Supports (CS) Providers, and Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Providers.
For Medi-Cal, this information applies to Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties.