26-651 State of Emergency: Storm and Fire Impacts from September 2025 through January 2026
Date: 05/08/26
Support for Health Net members impacted by the storms and fire
On April 17, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom declared the state of emergencies below in several counties due to storm- and fire-related impacts and resulting damage:
- Late September 2025 Storm – Imperial County
- November 2025 Storm – Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties
- Late December 2025 Storms – Mendocino, Sonoma and Ventura counties• Early January 2026 Storm – Sonoma County
- Arcata Fire – Humboldt County
Health Net is providing assistance to members affected by the storms and fire.
We want to help ensure that members who have been impacted, because they or their usual healthcare providers have been temporarily displaced, have continued access to healthcare services and prescriptions during the state of emergencies.
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 storms and fire 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:
- Shortening time limits for healthcare 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 storms and fire 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 whose medication was lost in a storm or fire or remained behind during an evacuation. 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 were lost or left behind due to any of the state of emergencies and members who have healthcare questions during a 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
Health Net members who lost their homes or were evacuated due to the storms or fire may call Health Net’s Emergency Response Line at 800-400-8987 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 fire and storms.
Additional information
Depending on how recovery from impacts related to the storms or fire progresses, Health Net may make additional changes to its policies as needed to ensure members have access to necessary healthcare services.
If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact the Provider Services Center by phone or through the provider portal.
Provider Services
| Line of Business | Phone number | |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter from Health Net IFP Ambetter PPO | 844-463-8188 | |
| Ambetter HMO | 888-926-2164 | |
| Health Net Employer Group HMO, POS, & PPO | 800-641-7761 | |
| Medicare (Individual & Employer Group)(Wellcare By Health Net) | 800-929-9224 | |
| Medicare Supplement | 800-641-7761 | |
| Medi-Cal (including CS and ECM providers) | 800-675-6110 | N/A |
| Behavioral Health providers | 844-966-0298 | N/A |
This information applies to Physicians, Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), Hospitals, Ancillary Providers, Community Supports (CS) Providers, Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Providers, and Behavioral Health Providers.
For Medi-Cal, this information applies to Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Los Angeles, Molina, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties