California Health Insurance

Blue Shield restructures major units - 2005-03-07

2005-03-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

"Blue Shield of California, one of the state's and Greater Sacramento's largest health plans, said Monday that its two biggest business units have been restructured to better coordinate service, 'balance executive responsibility for membership and income' and aggregate all large-group health insurance business under a single executive."

Officials at the San Francisco-based health plan said two primary shifts were made:

Responsibility for small-group sales has been moved to a new unit, the Small Group and Government Business Unit headed by Senior Vice President Lisa Rubino, which includes Blue Shield's Medicare-related business.

A new public-sector business unit focusing on labor, trust and other public-sector business has been added to the portfolio of Paul Markovich, the senior vice president in charge of the newly renamed Large Group Business Unit.

Blue Shield restructures major units - 2005-03-07:

Business Insurance - Corporate Risk and Employee Benefit Management news

2005-03-07T13:42:00.000-08:00

"A California health insurance premium tax that now only applies to commercial insurers would be extended to self-funded programs offered by employers and nonprofit insurers under recently introduced universal health care coverage legislation.

The measure, A.B. 1670, would require all Californians to have coverage under a plan with a deductible no greater than $5,000. The state would, among other things, subsidize coverage of lower-income employees who work for small companies. The state also would set up purchasing pools through which employers could purchase coverage."

Business Insurance - Corporate Risk and Employee Benefit Management news:

Sonoma Index Tribune

2005-03-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

Sonoma Index Tribune:

"Here in California, our local assemblyman, Joe Nation, D-Novato, has teamed with Keith Richman, R-Northridge, to author a bipartisan proposal called the Universal Health Care Act of 2005, AB 1670, that is a strong step toward addressing this vital issue.

The plan has elements that demonstrate its bipartisan roots. It would require all state residents to have health insurance, but would also make it their responsibility to pay for that coverage as much as possible. Just as automobile owners are required to have a minimum level of insurance on their vehicles, AB 1670 would require all residents of this state to have a minimum health-care plan for themselves and their dependents that has a maximum annual deductible of $5,000 per person and provides first-dollar coverage for all medically indicated preventive care.
It would require residents to submit proof of their health-care coverage with his or her annual state income tax return, unless they were covered by an employer's plan. If a person doesn't provide the proof of insurance, the state could provide it through the state 'pool' of insurance and charge the resident by retaining the cost of the premium from any tax overpaid by the resident."

An Argument for a Universal California health plan

2005-02-28T22:31:00.000-08:00

This article talks about the advantages that a Universal Coverage plan would have vs. the current remedies being proposed.

"The creation of a mandate to carry insurance is the latest idea coming out of Sacramento to remedy the health insurance crisis. Unfortunately, this kind of proposal may not be the right solution.

According to the 2003 California Health Interview Survey, 6.6 million Californians are uninsured.

The uninsured are disproportionately young and employed. They do not receive insurance from their employer, simply cannot afford it, or are not eligible for public health insurance.

The uninsured are less likely to see a doctor than an insured individual; and uninsured individuals rate themselves in worse health than insured individuals, according to the survey.

Lack of insurance is a serious problem because it leads to poor health outcomes."

Universal health plan more effective than making all Californians buy own insurance

Company Actually Sees Health Care Costs Decline

2005-02-28T22:19:00.000-08:00

But not at Asheboro Elastics. In fact, health care costs at the 230-employee textile company have actually gone down by more than a quarter in the last three years.

Yet nationally, health insurance premiums nationally have risen 59 percent between 2000 and 2004, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey says. In North Carolina, there have been double digit annual increases in health insurance for the last few years, according to Business Journal research.

So what's Asheboro Elastics' secret? An on-site clinic where employees get basic medical care, prescriptions and advice on preventing and managing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Plus, the company negotiates to find the cheapest prices on drugs for employees.

Company Actually Sees Health Care Costs Decline

Health Insurance Bills Battle for Passage

2005-02-25T05:24:00.000-08:00

SACRAMENTO - Health care in California is working its way to the top of a mountain of bills introduced this legislative session. By Wednesday, the deadline to submit bills, lawmakers had crafted more than 3,000 pieces of legislation – an increasing number dealing with some form of health care.

Tuesday, assembly members Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, and Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, introduced a bill that would require all Californians to have health insurance coverage. Wednesday, Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles, flanked by a cadre of her Democrat colleagues, outlined her bill – The California Health Insurance Reliability Act - that would accomplish a similar goal but through a very different process. It is estimated at 6.8 million Californians are without health insurance coverage.

The separate pieces of legislation promise to divide supporters inside and outside the legislature. The Kuehl Bill, SB 840, with the moniker “CHIRA,” would create a single payer system, much like the federal MediCal program. All California residents would be eligible, health coverage would not be lost because of a change in employment or a hike in insurance premiums or because he or she has an existing health problem, such as diabetes. Best of all, according to Keuhl, the plan will be affordable for businesses and individuals. “This bill will save money and save lives,” she said.

Health Insurance Bills Battle for Passage

New tack for California health insurance

2005-02-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

"Boston University researchers released a study this week concluding that about half of all health care spending in the country is squandered on administrative waste, excessive pricing and fraud.

Yet Californians may soon have an alternative, at least if a state lawmaker succeeds in her latest effort to introduce universal health care.

State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, told me Thursday that she plans to unveil her California Health Insurance Reliability Act on Feb. 23.

It will be Kuehl's third stab at getting a universal-care bill through the Legislature. But this time things are a little different. "

New tack for health insurance:

California Health Insurance Premiums Continue Double-Digit Increases

2005-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

California Health Insurance Premiums Continue Double-Digit Increases, Increasing 11.4 Percent in 2004 - 61 Percent since 2000, New Survey Finds

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)
Average Cost of California Family Premiums Now Equals National Averages

Health insurance premiums for California workers grew 11.4 percent in 2004, significantly slower than 2003's 15.8 percent, but still the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases, according to the 2004 Annual California Employer Health Benefits Survey released by the California HealthCare Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET).

The California increase of 11.4 percent in premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance was statistically equivalent to the national average of 11.2 percent and over six times the California inflation rate of 1.7 percent. Between 2000 and 2004 premiums have increased a total of 61 percent.

Historically, premiums in California have been lower than national premiums, but over the past several years they have steadily approached the U.S. average. At $10,013, a typical family policy in California is about the same as the national average of $9,950, the survey found. Single coverage averaged $3,685 in California in 2004, compared to $3,695 nationally. This year for the first time, the average cost for a family PPO plan in California exceeds that in the U.S. by 15 percent.

HMOs remained the least expensive type of health plan, costing nearly 30 percent less for single coverage than PPO plans. About 50 percent of California workers were enrolled in HMOs in 2004, compared to 25 percent nationally. However, health plan enrollment in California has shifted somewhat to PPOs over the past year. PPOs increased their market share from 29 percent in 2003 to 36 percent in 2004, according to the survey.

The percentage of California employers offering health insurance to their workers was 67 percent in 2004, about the same as in 2003. As with prior years, firms cited the high cost of coverage as the primary reason they did not offer health benefits.

On average, workers in California contributed $2,580 for family coverage and $474 annually for single coverage in 2004. Compared to 2003 levels, worker contributions grew 5 percent for family coverage and 13 percent for single coverage. However, workers' average share of the premium costs in 2004 fell slightly to 27 percent for family and 13 percent for single coverage.

"Health insurance premiums in California continued their double-digit climb and the average cost of a family plan is now the same in California as the rest of the nation. These increases are hard for employers as well as for working families who have seen their contributions for family coverage go up repeatedly over the past several years," said Mark D. Smith, M.D., president and CEO of the California HealthCare Foundation.

The California Employer Health Benefits Survey of is an independent survey based on the national employer survey conducted annually by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and HRET. Between 2000 and 2003, KFF conducted surveys in both California and the nation as a whole. Beginning this year, the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) assumes sponsorship from KFF of the California survey, which is separate from and not included in the national survey.

"The California HealthCare Foundation's sponsorship of this special study makes it possible to compare our state with the nation on health care costs and coverage, issues which are very much on the minds of Californians," Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman said.

A detailed chart pack summary of the survey is available at chcf.org. Results of the national survey, which was released in September 2004, is available at kff.org.

"The annual cost of health insurance for a California family of four is now equivalent to 75 percent of the annual earnings of a fully-employed minimum wage worker. This is one more indicator that the cost of health insurance is prohibitively expensive for many employers and workers," said Jon Gabel, vice president for Health Systems Studies at the Health Research and Educational Trust and one of the survey directors.

Other survey highlights include:

-- Nearly all large California employers - those with 200 or more workers - offered health insurance and 55 percent of the smallest companies with 3 to 9 workers provided coverage. Only 20 percent of California employers offered coverage to part-time workers.

-- Eighteen percent of small firms offered a high deductible health plan (a deductible of more than $1,000 annually for single coverage), compared with just 8 percent of all large firms.

-- Employees in California have much greater choice of health plans than workers nationwide. The survey found that 93 percent of workers in large firms (200 or more workers) in California were offered more than one health plan option in 2004, compared to 82 percent of workers in large firms nationally.

-- Almost half of all large firms (44 percent) reported that they were very likely to increase the amount employees pay for premiums in 2005.

-- Few employers viewed current cost containment strategies as highly effective with just 13 - 15 percent reporting disease management, higher employee cost sharing, or tighter managed care networks as "very effective."

-- Thirteen percent of California firms reported that they vary the contribution for family coverage based on whether an employee's family member has the option of obtaining coverage elsewhere.

-- About half of all covered workers faced some form of cost sharing for hospital admissions.

-- While nearly all active workers with insurance coverage had drug coverage in 2004, the use of tiered cost sharing, with higher co-payments for brand name drugs than generics, has grown rapidly with 81 percent of workers now in plans that use them. While average payments for drugs in each of the three tiers (generic, preferred, and non-preferred) increased in 2004, the average co-payment in California for a non-preferred drug ($25.90) remained lower than the national average ($33).

About the California HealthCare Foundation

The California HealthCare Foundation, based in Oakland, is an independent philanthropy committed to improving California's health care delivery and financing systems. Visit www.chcf.org for more information.

About The Health Research and Educational Trust

The Health Research and Educational Trust is a private, not-for-profit organization involved in research, education, and demonstration programs addressing health management and policy issues. Founded in 1944, HRET collaborates with health care, government, academic, business, and community organizations across the United States to conduct research and disseminate findings that help shape the future of health care. Visit www.hret.org for more information.

Methodology and Sponsorship

The California Employer Health Benefits Survey is a joint product of the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) and Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET). The survey was designed and analyzed by researchers at HRET, and administered by National Research LLC (NR).

The Kaiser Family Foundation sponsored this survey of California employers from 2000 to 2003. It is based on a national employer survey conducted annually by HRET and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The U.S. results in this study are based on that survey, and are available at www.kff.org.

The findings are based on a random sample of 790 interviews with employee benefit managers in private firms in California. NR conducted interviews from May to September 2004. As with prior years, the sample of firms was drawn from the Dun & Bradstreet list of private employers with three or more workers. The margin of error for responses among all employers is +/- 3.5 percent; for responses among employers with 3 to 199 workers is +/- 4.7 percent; and among employers with 200 or more workers is +/- 5.2 percent. Some exhibits do not sum to 100 percent due to rounding effects.

Contacts

CHCF
Daniel Danzig, 510-238-1040
or
HRET
Ted Pickens, 312-422-2634

California Health-insurance legislation has some possibilities

2005-01-14T06:49:00.000-08:00

California Health-insurance legislation has some possibilities

"A bipartisan plan for health-insurance reform bears Californians attention.

While health-insurance reform has foundered in Washington, two committed California legislators have been considering how to construct a plan here in the Golden State.

Assemblymen Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills, and Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, have spent several months studying and crafting a measure that would provide blanket health-care coverage in the state.

According to news reports, what they have come up with is similar to a national plan proposed by a think tank known as the New America Foundation. Known as a "universal coverage, universal responsibility plan," its goal is to make health-care insurance mandatory, with some low-income workers receiving subsidies."

California Healthy Families Info

2004-12-21T11:29:00.000-08:00

California Healthy Families

The Healthy Families Program offers low cost insurance for children and teens up to age 19. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who meet the program rules and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.

How does Healthy Families work?

People who qualify for Healthy Families get 12 months of health coverage, as long as they pay the monthly premiums. They get health services through the health, dental and visions plans that work with Healthy Families. Each member can choose his or her own plan.

Healthy Families members pay a low monthly premium.

The Healthy Families plans cover most visits to doctors, dentists and specialists, and prescriptions.

The Healthy Families plans cover the costs of hospital care, labs and preventive care.

Each county in California has different plans to choose from.
Most of what you need to know about Healthy Families is on this Web site.

If you have questions, call 1-800-880-5305, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free.

Applying For Medi-Cal

2004-12-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

IF YOUR CHILD DOES NOT ALREADY HAVE MEDI-CAL, FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO SIGN UP:

Complete and sign the "Medi-Cal Benefits" section on your child's School Meals application. If your child is eligible for free School Meals, we will send a copy of the application to Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal will see if your child is eligible for health benefits.

If your child is eligible, he or she will receive temporary Medi-Cal. A benefits card will be sent to you. Your child can use the card right away to get free health benefits from any doctor or clinic who accepts Medi-Cal.

Medi-Cal will send you a one-page form in the mail. Complete and return the form so your child can get benefits after the temporary period. If you do not fill out and return the form, your child's benefits will end.

For More Information:

www.childrenspartnership.org/ expresslane/ExpressEnroll-MCalInsert.doc

California Medi-Cal Q&A

2004-12-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is free health insurance. Medi-Cal benefits include shots, doctor checkups, school physicals, dental exams, prescription drugs and hospital care.

Will my child's application be shared with anyone else?

NO. If you sign the Medi-Cal Benefits section on your child's School Meals application, we will only share the application with Medi-Cal staff.

Do I have to apply for Medi-Cal for my child to still get School Meals?

NO. You do not need to sign the Medi-Cal section on your child's School Meals application. If eligible, your child will still get School Meals.

Is this the best way to apply for Medi-Cal?

Not always. If your child has a medical emergency or is pregnant, it may be faster to apply at a Medi-Cal office. For a Medi-Cal application or the closest Medi-Cal office, contact any of the agencies listed to the right of this content.

Q. Will getting Medi-Cal or School Meals affect my family's immigration status by making my child or me a "public charge."

NO. Getting Medi-Cal or School Meals for your child will not affect your family's immigration status by making you or your child a "public charge". Using these services cannot stop you from becoming a citizen.

Which immigrants can get Medi-Cal?

Your child must be a U.S. citizen or lawful immigrant to get full Medi-Cal benefits after the temporary period. Medi-Cal will ask for your child's social security number. If your child is not a U.S. citizen or lawful immigrant, he or she can get emergency and pregnancy-related Medi-Cal. You do not have to provide social security numbers or immigration information for other family members.

What if our family income is too high to get Medi-Cal?

If your child is not eligible for Medi-Cal, you will receive a Healthy Families application. Healthy Families is a low-cost health insurance program. Your child may also be eligible for other health programs. For help, click on any or the ads to the right of this content.

For More Information:

www.childrenspartnership.org/expresslane/ExpressEnroll-MCalInsert.doc

California Health Insurance: 100% Campaign

2004-12-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

100% Campaign:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 14, 2004
For Media Assistance

California Leaders Launch Campaign to Insure Every California Child
UCLA health policy experts report 487,000 decrease in number of uninsured California children, placing solutions in sight.

SACRAMENTO Today at the State Capitol, an unprecedented bipartisan array of teachers, business leaders, parents, health care providers, faith leaders, labor representatives, and children's advocates announced a new statewide campaign focused on insuring every child in California.

The leaders of the 'Californians for Healthy Kids' campaign will reach out to business and community leaders, organize individual and organizational supporters in every city and county, and lead a high-intensity advocacy effort with state and local elected leaders. The groups will also work closely with the Legislature, the Governor's office, and state agencies to develop successful policy options for insuring all Californian children.

'Today, it is within our reach to make sure that every child in California has access to affordable health care,' said Wendy Lazarus, Co-President of The Children's Partnership and spokesperson for the 100% Campaign, a collaboration of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's Partnership. 'The people of our state want it. Our children need it. We know the solutions. It's affordable. It's achievable. It's the smart thing to do and the right thing to do. And it can be done over the next three years.'

The announcement coincides with new data, released today by the UCLA Center of Health Policy Research, showing that the number of uninsured children in California decreased by nearly 500,000 over the last two years due to the effectiveness of public insurance programs. California is now poised to finish the job and cover the remaining uninsured children.

"This research is good news for California's children because it shows that solutions are within reach," said Dr. E. Richard Brown, founding director of the Center and lead author of the study. "We have made great progress and cannot stop here."

The goals of the campaign target the increasing number of middle-class families whose children are not covered by employer coverage and who can no longer afford to purchase insurance, as well as low-income families whose efforts to apply for health coverage are often stymied by long, complex applications and the confusion created by a myriad of health programs.

Recognizing California's current budget constraints, the campaign is recommending that this year's policy efforts focus on improving the efficiency of existing publicly-funded state insurance programs, including modernizing and simplifying how children get enrolled and stay enrolled in coverage. The majority of uninsured children qualify for either Healthy Families or Medi-Cal, but they are not enrolled.

"Our first step should be to simplify the process of applying for health insurance and to stop spending government funding creating needless bureaucracy that keeps people out," said Jim Keddy, Director of the PICO California Project. Representatives from twenty faith-based community organizations affiliated with PICO California pledged to lead a massive grassroots campaign, based in 400 member congregations located in 73 cities, in support of the effort.

"We want to see in California a system in which every newborn leaves the hospital with an insurance card, and children can be easily enrolled when they go to the doctor's office to get shots or when they enroll in school," said Ted Lempert, President of Children Now.

The initiative has received unprecedented support from educators, since research has shown that children with access to health care have higher attendance rates and perform significantly better in school.

"Teachers can't teach to an empty desk," said Lloyd Porter, California Teachers Association Board Member and classroom teacher from Yorba Linda. "Educators know that healthy children are better students. Access to affordable health care and academic success will always be linked. It's time to make sure all kids have a healthy chance to learn."

"Just as California provides an education for every child in the state, we can provide the opportunity for health coverage for all children," said Carla Nino, President of the California State PTA. "No parent should have to choose between taking their child to the doctor and putting food on the table."

The new UCLA data shows that the number of businesses in California providing family health coverage is declining due to rising health care costs but public programs are picking up the slack.

"This initiative is a welcome breath of fresh air for the business community. We alone can't solve California's health care crisis, but we want to be part of the solution," said Betty Jo Toccoli, President of the California Small Business Association.

"Healthier kids mean a stronger economy and a more productive workforce," said Cheyenne Cook, Public Policy Manager for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. "With the rising cost of premiums hurting everyone, the business community needs to support innovative efforts to insure more children and make health care more affordable."

Already ten counties have led the way in insuring all children by developing local health programs which provide coverage to children who fall through the cracks of our existing public/private programs. The new proposal is based on innovations developed at the county level and includes elements such as:

California's existing child health programs would be brought together under a single name, with one application, building on what works best in the existing programs.

New parents would have the opportunity to apply for health insurance for their newborn before they leave the hospital.
Families would be able to sign up for health coverage directly, through the Internet.

Small businesses, which currently cannot afford to provide family coverage to their workers, could "opt in" dependent children to the new lower-cost program.

The income eligibility level of Healthy Families would be raised to assist more middle class families.

"Every day we are proving that health care for all children is an achievable goal," said Howard A. Kahn, co-convener of the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles and CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan. "Twenty seven counties that already have successful local initiatives or plans to do provide a great head start, and include the vast majority of kids in the state. But the only way to make our efforts sustainable and available to every child in California is to take this effort statewide."

"This approach of building on what works will allow us to leverage and more effectively use the resources we are already investing to finish the job of providing comprehensive health coverage for all children in California," said Beth Osthimer, Director of Children's Defense Fund— California.

The "Californians for Healthy Kids" campaign is uniquely poised to achieve this goal because of the breadth and diversity of its supporters.

###

The 100% Campaign, a collaborative effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's Partnership, with primary funding from The California Endowment, was created to ensure that all of California's children obtain the health coverage they need to grow up strong and healthy.

About Nationwide Health Plans

2004-12-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

Nationwide Health Plans Main Site

Nationwide Health Plans In California

Our company has a tradition of financial strength and conservative management and has been providing insurance protection for decades.

Nationwide Health Plans is committed to providing high-quality, affordable products and superior service, while remaining responsive to ever-changing customer needs.

We remain dedicated to maintaining Nationwide’s financial strength and stability which is the cornerstone of the organization. Together with dedicated, professional agents and a portfolio of competitive health and Medicare supplement products, we look forward to delivering upon our promises.

Located in Sacramento, the California division provides insurance protection and peace of mind for customers located throughout the Golden State.

Nationwide Health Plans (NHP) is a member of Nationwide® Life Insurance Company, one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services companies in the United States. Nationwide maintains its home office in Columbus, Ohio and has attained excellent ratings from financial rating agencies since it started operations in 1925.

Nationwide facts include:

A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
More than $117.9 billion in assets
118th on the Fortune 500 listing of the largest U.S. companies
297th on the Global 500 listing
Largest provider of bundled retirement plans
Largest defined contribution recordkeeper
Third largest provider of variable universal life
Fourth largest US homeowner insurer
Fifth largest US auto insurer
Seventh largest property and casualty insurer
Eighth largest writer of individual variable annuities
Eleventh U.S. life insurer based on assets as of 9/30/02
Combined, the insurance companies have more than 16 million policies and certificates in force, which are serviced by more than 30,000 employees and agents. Nationwide operates in all 50 states and in more than 35 countries. Nationwide Health Plans markets health insurance products in Ohio and California.

All health products are underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

About PacificCare

2004-12-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

PacificCare

PacificCare SignatureFreedom Plan for California individuals

California plans are offered by: PacifiCare Behavioral Health of California, Inc. and PacifiCare Dental (in California).

PacifiCare Health Systems serves more than 3 million health plan members and approximately 9 million specialty plan members nationwide with annual revenues of more than $12 billion. PacifiCare is celebrating its 25th anniversary as one of the nation's largest consumer health organizations, offering individuals, employers and Medicare beneficiaries a variety of consumer-driven health care and insurance products. Specialty operations include behavioral health, dental and vision, life insurance, and complete pharmacy and medical management through its wholly owned subsidiary, Prescription Solutions. Our mission is to create long-term shareholder value as a leading consumer health organization committed to making people's lives healthier and more secure.

About Aetna

2004-12-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leaders in health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability, and long-term care insurance and employee benefits. The company is dedicated to helping people achieve health and financial security by providing easier access to safe, high-quality health care and protecting their finances against health-related risks. Aetna puts information and helpful resources to work for its members to help them make better informed decisions about their health care.

Aetna provides benefits through employers in all 50 states, with products and services targeted specifically to small, mid-sized, and large multi-site national employers, serving more Fortune 1000 companies than any of its competitors. The company also serves individuals and Medicare beneficiaries in certain markets.

In addition to its broad range of insurance and employee benefits products, Aetna offers a wide array of programs, services and information that help control rising employee benefits costs, while striving to improve the quality of health care and increase employee productivity. These include case management, disease management and patient safety programs; integrated medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health and disability information; and networks of specialist physicians based on clinical performance and cost efficiency.

As the first national full-service health insurer to offer a consumer-directed health plan, Aetna continues to be a leader in this area with its Aetna HealthFund® line of products. With more choices and control over their health insurance plans than ever before, Aetna HealthFund members have access to convenient tools and easy-to-understand information that can help them make smart, effective decisions about their health and financial well-being.

About Health Net

2004-12-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation’s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company’s HMO, POS, insured PPO and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 7.3 million individuals in 27 states and the District of Columbia through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE programs. Health Net’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to behavioral health and prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

About Kaiser Permanente

2004-12-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

Kaiser Permanente

Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is the nation's largest nonprofit health plan, serving 8.2 million members, with headquarters in Oakland, California. It is made up of:

* Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
* Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries
* The Permanente Medical Groups
* An affiliation with Group Health Cooperative based in Seattle

At Kaiser Permanente, physicians are responsible for medical decisions. The Permanente Medical Groups, who provide care for Kaiser Permanente members, continuously develop and refine medical practices to help ensure that care is delivered in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Kaiser Permanente was born out of the challenge of providing Americans medical care during the Great Depression and World War II, when most people could not afford to go to a doctor. Among the innovations it has brought to American health care are:

* prepaid insurance to spread the cost to make it more affordable
* physician group practice to maximize their abilities to care for patients
* a focus on preventing illness as much as on caring for the sick * an organized delivery system, putting as many services as possible under one roof.

Kaiser Permanente is distinguished from other health care organizations in a variety of ways:

Revenues are devoted to patient care rather than shareholder profit.

Facilities and services are nationally accredited.

Kaiser Permanente receives consistent high marks in quality measurement and member satisfaction surveys conducted by outside experts. As of September 2003, six KP regions were awarded top national and regional ratings in the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2003 State of Health Care Quality report.

Kaiser Permanente research centers are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and improving the delivery of medical care.

An historic labor management partnership was forged with the AFL-CIO, the first of its kind in health care.

An automated medical record system was announced in 2003, a model that will revolutionize the way health care is delivered.

Membership: 8.2 million

States: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C.

Hospitals: 30

Medical office buildings: 431

Employees: 136,511

Physicians: 11,000 (approximate)

Operating revenues (for year ended December 31, 2002): $22.5 billion

California Association of Health Plans

2004-12-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO CAHP

For nearly 20 years the California Association of Health Plans—a statewide trade association representing the majority of licensed health care service plans—has been an active voice for the health care industry.

Through legislative advocacy, informational communications, and collaborative efforts with other organizations the Association promotes high quality affordable health care to California consumers—21 million of which receive their coverage from CAHP member health plans.

Blue Shield of California - Medical healthcare provider

2004-12-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

Blue Shield of California - Medical healthcare provider

About Blue Shield

With 3.2 million members and $6 billion in annual revenue, Blue Shield of California is the state's third largest health plan.

Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield is a not-for-profit corporation with approximately 4,200 employees and more than 20 offices throughout California.

Corporate Headquarters
Blue Shield of California
50 Beale St.
San Francisco, CA 94105-1808
Phone: (415) 229-5000

Health Insurance: BlueCross of California

2004-12-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

BlueCross of California

Blue Cross of California has been serving the health care needs of Californians since 1937. Blue Cross of California, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 6.8 million members.

Offering a full continuum of product and coverage options, Blue Cross provides customers with unparalleled choice and flexibility in meeting their health plan needs. These options are continually fine-tuned to enhance access to affordable, quality health care. The Company, with its strong track record for innovation, focuses on progressive products and services designed to improve the health status of all Californians. Unique product offerings available in the individual, small group, large group, senior and Medi-Cal markets include a full range of integrated medical and specialty products.

California Health Insurance Information

2004-12-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the California Health Insurance Information Blog. The purpose of this blog is to provide one source for accessing information concerning all the major health insurers for the state of California. It is our desire to provide convenient and timely information that you will be able to access whenever you are making decisions concerning your health insurance.

In the following articles you will find a description and contact information for several of the major health insurance companies that provide services for the California market. We will also be posting press releases from each company whenever they are relevant. We hope you will find this information useful.

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