Covered Calif. Says 80% of State Physicians Included in Plans

On Wednesday, Covered California officials said that about 58,000 doctors -- or more than 80% of the state's practicing physicians -- and 360 hospitals are available in health plans offered through the state health insurance exchange, KPCC's "KPCC News" reports (Glickman, "KPCC News," KPCC, 12/11).

Background

In order to keep plans offered through the exchange affordable for consumers, some insurers have started to renegotiate their contracts with some health care providers.

For instance, Blue Shield of California has said it will include just 50% of the physicians and 75% of the hospitals in 2014 that it did in this year's individual plans (California Healthline, 12/10).

Details of Networks

Covered California said about 66% of the 360 hospitals offered on its plans serve low-income populations and previously uninsured individuals.

According to the exchange, every member of the California Children's Hospital Association is available through at least one of Covered California's plans.

In comparison, the state's two largest commercial insurers offer 63,000 and 72,000 physicians, respectively, the exchange noted.

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said, "We believe our offerings compare favorably to commercial networks ... in the individual and employer markets" ("KPCC News," KPCC, 12/11).