Open Enrollment for 2018 has arrived, and while some things may be familiar, others have changed. Enrollment will continue through January 31^st, with a December 15^th deadline for coverage to become effective January 1^st.

Covered California continues to make adjustments to reduce co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses, with residents within 139 to 250 percent of the poverty level being eligible for cost-sharing subsidies. The tax credit that lowers health care plan premiums for those eligible customers will remain as well.

New to 2018, Anthem Blue Cross has decided to withdraw from California’s individual market, yet will continue with 3 regions of Northern California (CLICK HERE for list of counties). Anthem Blue Cross will replace the PPO plan in these regions with an exclusive provider plan (EPO). With this EPO plan, customers must see physicians that are contracted with the network; if they do go outside the network, they will be considered a cash patient. The EPO will not cover medical bills for customers that go outside the network, except in a medical emergency.

Newport Orthopedic Institute was not selected to be part of Anthem Blue Cross EPO network. Patients that would like to continue to see our physicians will need to select a PPO insurance from the individual market.

This information was gathered based on an article published in The Modesto Bee, which can be found here. More information can be found also be found at Anthem Blue Cross.