Page numbers referenced within this brochure apply only to the printed brochure

Health Net of California

www.healthnet.com/fehb
800-522-0088

2022



IMPORTANT:
  • Rates
  • Changes for 2022
  • Summary of Benefits
  • Accreditations
A Health Maintenance Organization (High and Basic Options)

This plan’s health coverage qualifies as minimum essential coverage and meets the minimum value standard for the benefits it provides. See page 8 for details.  This plan is accredited.  See page 13

Serving: Northern California Service Areas

Enrollment in this plan is limited. You must live or work in our
geographic service area to enroll. See page 14 for requirements.

Enrollment codes for this Plan:

LB1 Northern CA High Option - Self Only
LB3 Northern CA High Option - Self Plus One
LB2 Northern CA High Option - Self and Family

T41 Northern CA Basic Option - Self Only
T43 Northern CA Basic Option - Self Plus One
T42 Northern CA Basic Option - Self and Family

As of January 1, 2022, Standard Option LB4, LB5,
and LB6 will no longer be available in the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program. Please see
Section 1 for more information.

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program seal
OPM Logo








Important Notice

Important Notice from Health Net of California About Our Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has determined that the Health Net of California prescription drug coverage is, on average, expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay for all plan participants and is considered Creditable Coverage.  This means you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D and pay extra for prescription drug coverage.  If you decide to enroll in Medicare Part D later, you will not have to pay a penalty for late enrollment as long as you keep your FEHB coverage.

However, if you choose to enroll in Medicare Part D, you can keep your FEHB coverage and your FEHB plan will coordinate benefits with Medicare.

Remember: If you are an annuitant and you cancel your FEHB coverage, you may not re-enroll in the FEHB Program.

Please be advised

If you lose or drop your FEHB coverage and go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, your monthly Medicare Part D premium will go up at least 1 percent per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. For example, if you go 19 months without Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, your premium will always be at least 19 percent higher than what many other people pay. You will have to pay this higher premium as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition, you may have to wait until the next Annual Coordinated Election Period (October 15 through December 7) to enroll in Medicare Part D.

Medicare’s Low Income Benefits

For people with limited income and resources, extra help paying for a Medicare prescription drug plan is available. Information regarding this program is available through the Social Security Administration (SSA) online at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call the SSA at 800-772-1213, (TTY:  800-325-0778). 

You can get more information about Medicare prescription drug plans and the coverage offered in your area from these places:

  • Visit www.medicare.gov for personalized help.
  • Call 800-MEDICARE 800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048.



Table of Contents

(Page numbers solely appear in the printed brochure)




Introduction

This brochure describes the benefits of Health Net of California under contract (CS 2956) between Health Net of California and the United States Office of Personnel Management, as authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits law.  The Customer Contact Center may be reached at 800-522-0088 or through our website:  www.healthnet.com/fehb.  The address for Health Net of California’s administrative offices is:

Health Net of California
P.O. Box 9103
Van Nuys, CA 91409-9103

This brochure is the official statement of benefits. No verbal statement can modify or otherwise affect the benefits, limitations, and exclusions of this brochure. It is your responsibility to be informed about your health benefits.

If you are enrolled in this Plan, you are entitled to the benefits described in this brochure. If you are enrolled in Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage, each eligible family member is also entitled to these benefits.  You do not have a right to benefits that were available before January 1, 2022, unless those benefits are also shown in this brochure.

OPM negotiates benefits and rates with each plan annually. Benefit changes are effective January 1, 2022 and changes are summarized on page 16.  Rates are shown at the end of this brochure.




Plain Language

All FEHB brochures are written in plain language to make them easy to understand.  Here are some examples:

  • Except for necessary technical terms, we use common words.  For instance, "you" means the enrollee and each covered family member, "we" means Health Net of California.
  • We limit acronyms to ones you know.  FEHB is the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.  OPM is the United States Office of Personnel Management.  If we use others, we will tell you what they mean.
  • Our brochure and other FEHB plans' brochures have the same format and similar descriptions to help you compare plans.



Stop HealthCare Fraud!

Fraud increases the cost of healthcare for everyone and increases your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium.

OPM’s Office of the Inspector General investigates all allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in the FEHB Program regardless of the agency that employs you or from which you retired.

Protect Yourself From Fraud - Here are some things that you can do to prevent fraud:

  • Do not give your plan identification (ID) number over the phone or to people you do not know, except for your healthcare providers, authorized health benefits plan or OPM representative.
  • Let only the appropriate medical professionals review your medical record or recommend services.
  • Avoid using healthcare providers who say that an item or service is not usually covered, but they know how to bill us to get it paid.
  • Carefully review explanations of benefits (EOBs) statements that you receive from us.
  • Periodically review your claim history for accuracy to ensure we have not billed for services you did not receive.
  • Do not ask your doctor to make false entries on certificates, bills, or records in order to get us to pay for an item or service.
  • If you suspect that a provider has charged you for services you did not receive, billed you twice for the same service, or misrepresented any information, do the following:

- Call the provider and ask for an explanation. There may be an error.

- If the provider does not resolve the matter, call us at 800-522-0088 and explain the situation.

- If we do not resolve the issue:

CALL --THE HEALTHCARE FRAUD HOTLINE

877-499-7295

OR go to www.opm.gov/our-inspector-general/hotline-to-report-fraud-waste-or-abuse/complaint-form/

The online reporting form is the desired method of reporting fraud in order to ensure accuracy, and a quicker response time.

You can also write to:

United States Office of Personnel Management
Office of the Inspector General Fraud Hotline
1900 E Street NW Room 6400
Washington, DC 20415-1100

  • Do not maintain as a family member on your policy:

- Your former spouse after a divorce decree or annulment is final (even if a court order stipulates otherwise)

- Your child age 26 or over (unless they are disabled and incapable of self-support prior to age 26).  

A carrier may request that an enrollee verify the eligibility of any or all family members listed as covered under the enrollee’s FEHB enrollment.

  • If you have any questions about the eligibility of a dependent, check with your personnel office if you are employed, with your retirement office (such as OPM) if you are retired, or with the National Finance Center if you are enrolled under Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC).
  • Fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material fact is prohibited under the Plan.  You can be prosecuted for fraud and your agency may take action against you.  Examples of fraud include falsifying a claim to obtain FEHB benefits, trying to or obtaining service or coverage for yourself or for someone who is not eligible for coverage, or enrolling in the Plan when you are no longer eligible.
  • If your enrollment continues after you are no longer eligible for coverage (i.e., you have separated from Federal service) and premiums are not paid, you will be responsible for all benefits paid during the period in which premiums were not paid.  You may be billed by your provider for services received.  You may be prosecuted for fraud for knowingly using health insurance benefits for which you have not paid premiums.  It is your responsibility to know when you or a family member is no longer eligible to use your health insurance coverage.



Discrimination is Against the Law

Health Net of California complies with all applicable Federal civil rights laws including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the Office of Personnel Management by mail at:  Office of Personnel Management Healthcare and Insurance Federal Employee Insurance Operations, Attention: Assistant Director, FEIO, 1900 E Street NW, Suite 3400-S, Washington, D.C. 20415-3610




Preventing Medical Mistakes

Medical mistakes continue to be a significant cause of preventable deaths within the United States.  While death is the most tragic outcome, medical mistakes cause other problems such as permanent disabilities, extended hospital stays, longer recoveries, and even additional treatments.  Medical mistakes and their consequences also add significantly to the overall cost of healthcare. Hospitals and healthcare providers are being held accountable for the quality of care and reduction in medical mistakes by their accrediting bodies. You can also improve the quality and safety of your own healthcare and that of your family members by learning more about and understanding your risks. Take these simple steps:

1. Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns.

  • Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers.
  • Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable talking.
  • Take a relative or friend with you to help you take notes, ask questions, and understand answers.

2. Keep and bring a list of all the medications you take.

  • Bring the actual medication or give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines and dosage that you take, including non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication and nutritional supplements .
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any drug, food and other allergies you have, such as to latex.
  • Ask about any risks or side effects of the medication and what to avoid while taking it. Be sure to write down what your doctor or pharmacist says.
  • Make sure your medication is what the doctor ordered. Ask your pharmacist about the medication if it looks different than you expected.
  • Read the label and patient package insert when you get your medication, including all warnings and instructions.
  • Know how to use your medication. Especially note the times and conditions when your medication should and should not be taken.
  • Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
  • Understand both the generic and brand names of your medication.  This helps to ensure you do not receive double dosing from taking both a generic and brand.  It also helps prevent you from taking a medication to which you are allergic.

3. Get the results of any test or procedure.

  • Ask when and how you will get the results of tests or procedures.  Will it be in person, by phone, mail, through the Plan or Provider's portal.
  • Don’t assume the results are fine if you do not get them when expected.  Contact your healthcare provider and ask for your results.
  • Ask what the results mean for your care.

4. Talk to your doctor about which hospital or clinic is best for your health needs.

  • Ask your doctor about which hospital or clinic has the best care and results for your condition if you have more than one hospital or clinic to choose from to get the healthcare you need.
  • Be sure you understand the instructions you get about follow-up care when you leave the hospital or clinic.

5. Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery.

  • Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation.
  • Ask your doctor, “Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital?”
  • Ask your surgeon: 
    • "Exactly what will you be doing?"
    • "About how long will it take?"
    • "What will happen after surgery?"
    • "How can I expect to feel during recovery?"
  • Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses about any allergies, bad reaction to anesthesia, and any medications or nutritional supplements you are taking.

Patient Safety Links

For more information on patient safety, please visit:

  • www.jointcommission.org/speakup.aspx.  The Joint Commission's Speak Up™ patient safety program.
  • www.jointcommission.org/topics/patient_safety.aspx.  The Joint Commission helps healthcare organizations to improve the quality and safety of the care they deliver.
  • www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers.  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality makes available a wide-ranging list of topics not only to inform consumers about patient safety but to help choose quality healthcare providers and improve the quality of care you receive. 
  • www.bemedwise.org The National Council on Patient Information and Education is dedicated to improving communication about the safe, appropriate use of medication.
  • www.leapfroggroup.org. The Leapfrog Group is active in promoting safe practices in hospital care.
  • www.ahqa.org. The American Health Quality Association represents organizations and healthcare professionals working to improve patient safety.

Preventable Healthcare Acquired Conditions (“Never Events”)

When you enter the hospital for treatment of one medical problem, you do not expect to leave with additional injuries, infections, or other serious conditions that occur during the course of your stay. Although some of these complications may not be avoidable, patients do suffer from injuries or illnesses that could have been prevented if doctors or the hospital had taken proper precautions. Errors in medical care that are clearly identifiable, preventable and serious in their consequences for patients, can indicate a significant problem in the safety and credibility of a healthcare facility. These conditions and errors are sometimes called “Never Events” or “Serious Reportable Events.”

We have a benefit payment policy that encourages hospitals to reduce the likelihood of hospital-acquired conditions such as certain infections, severe bedsores, and fractures, and to reduce medical errors that should never happen. When such an event occurs, neither you nor your FEHB plan will incur costs to correct the medical error.  When a Health Net member is admitted, Health Net requests hospitals submit inpatient hospital claims with Present on Admission (POA) indicators.  Present on admission is defined as a condition that is present at the time the order for admission occurs.  Conditions that develop during an outpatient encounter, including in the emergency department or during observation or outpatient surgery, are included within the definition of present on admission conditions.  Each condition reported during the admission must be catalogued according to when it occurred.  If a member experiences a Healthcare Acquired Condition (HAC), Health Net requests that the admitting hospital refrain from billing or adjust the billing to Health Net or the member for any charges associated with the HAC if it is determined it was preventable.




FEHB Facts

TermDefinition
Coverage information
  • No pre-existing condition limitation
We will not refuse to cover the treatment of a condition you had before you enrolled in this Plan solely because you had the condition before you enrolled.
  • Minimum essential coverage (MEC)

Coverage under this plan qualifies as minimum essential coverage.  Please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/questions-and-answers-on-the-individual-shared-responsibility-provision for more information on the individual requirement for MEC.

  • Minimum value standard
Our health coverage meets the minimum value standard of 60% established by the ACA.  This means that we provide benefits to cover at least 60% of the total allowed costs of essential health benefits. The 60% standard is an actuarial value; your specific out-of-pocket costs are determined as explained in this brochure.
  • Where you can get information about enrolling in the FEHB Program

See www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance for enrollment information as well as:

  • Information on the FEHB Program and plans available to you
  • A health plan comparison tool
  • A list of agencies that participate in Employee Express
  • A link to Employee Express
  • Information on and links to other electronic enrollment systems

Also, your employing or retirement office can answer your questions, and give you brochures for other plans and other materials you need to make an informed decision about your FEHB coverage. These materials tell you:

  • When you may change your enrollment
  • How you can cover your family members
  • What happens when you transfer to another Federal agency, go on leave without pay, enter military service, or retire
  • What happens when your enrollment ends
  • When the next Open Season for enrollment begins

We do not determine who is eligible for coverage and, in most cases, cannot change your enrollment status without information from your employing or retirement office.  For information on your premium deductions, disability leave, pensions, etc you must also contact your employing or retirement office.

Once enrolled in your FEHB Program Plan, you should contact your carrier directly for address updates and questions about your benefit coverage.

  • Types of coverage available for you and your family

Self Only coverage is only for the enrollee. Self Plus One coverage is for the enrollee and one eligible family member.  Self and Family coverage is for the enrollee and one or more eligible family members.  Family members include your spouse and your dependent children under age 26, including any foster children authorized for coverage by your employing agency or retirement office.  Under certain circumstances, you may also continue coverage for a disabled child 26 years of age or older who is incapable of self-support.

If you have a Self Only enrollment, you may change to a Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment if you marry, give birth, or add a child to your family. You may change your enrollment 31 days before to 60 days after that event.

The Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment begins on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. When you change to Self Plus One or Self and  Family because you marry, the change is effective on the first day of the pay period that begins after your employing office receives your enrollment form.  Benefits will not be available to your spouse until you are married.  A carrier may request that an enrollee verify the eligibility of any or all family members listed as covered under the enrollee’s FEHB enrollment.

Contact your carrier to obtain a Certificate of Creditable Coverage (COCC) or to add a dependent when there is already family Coverage.

Contact your employing or retirement office if you are changing from Self to Self Plus One or Self and Family or to add a newborn if you currently have a Self Only plan.

Your employing or retirement office will not notify you when a family member is no longer eligible to receive benefits, nor will we. Please tell us immediately of changes in family member status, including your marriage, divorce, annulment, or when your child reaches age 26.

If you or one of your family members is enrolled in one FEHB plan, you or they cannot be enrolled in or covered as a family member by another enrollee in another FEHB plan.

If you have a qualifying life event (QLE) - such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child - outside of the Federal Benefits Open Season, you may be eligible to enroll in the FEHB Program, change your enrollment, or cancel coverage.  For a complete list of QLEs, visit the FEHB website at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-events.  If you need assistance, please contact your employing agency, Tribal Benefits Officer, personnel/payroll office, or retirement office.

  • Family member coverage

Family members covered under your Self and Family enrollment are your spouse (including your spouse by a valid common-law marriage from a state that recognizes common-law marriages) and children as described in the chart below. A Self Plus One enrollment covers you and your spouse, or one other eligible family member as described in the chart below.

Natural children, adopted children, and stepchildren
Coverage: Natural children, adopted children, and stepchildren are covered until their 26th birthday.

Foster children
Coverage: Foster children are eligible for coverage until their 26th birthday if you provide documentation of your regular and substantial support of the child and sign a certification stating that your foster child meets all the requirements. Contact your human resources office or retirement system for additional information.

Children incapable of self-support
Coverage: Children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that began before age 26 are eligible to continue coverage. Contact your human resources office or retirement system for additional information.

Married children
Coverage: Married children (but NOT their spouse or their own children) are covered until their 26th birthday.

Children with or eligible for employer-provided health insurance
Coverage: Children who are eligible for or have their own employer-provided health insurance are covered until their 26th birthday.

Newborns of covered children are insured only for routine nursery care during the covered portion of the mother's maternity stay.

You can find additional information at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance.

  • Children’s Equity Act

OPM has implemented the Federal Employees Health Benefits Children’s Equity Act of 2000. This law mandates that you be enrolled for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage in the FEHB Program, if you are an employee subject to a court or administrative order requiring you to provide health benefits for your child(ren).

If this law applies to you, you must enroll in Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage in a health plan that provides full benefits in the area where your children live or provide documentation to your employing office that you have obtained other health benefits coverage for your children. If you do not do so, your employing office will enroll you involuntarily as follows:

  • If you have no FEHB coverage, your employing office will enroll you for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage, as appropriate, in the lowest-cost nationwide plan option as determined by OPM
  • If you have a Self Only enrollment in a fee-for-service plan or in an HMO that serves the area where your children live, your employing office will change your enrollment to Self Plus One or Self and Family, as appropriate, in the same option of the same plan; or
  • If you are enrolled in an HMO that does not serve the area where the children live, your employing office will change your enrollment to Self Plus One or Self and Family, as appropriate, in the lowest-cost nationwide plan option as determined by OPM

As long as the court/administrative order is in effect, and you have at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, you cannot cancel your enrollment, change to Self Only, or change to a plan that does not serve the area in which your children live, unless you provide documentation that you have other coverage for the children.

If the court/administrative order is still in effect when you retire, and you have at least one child still eligible for FEHB coverage, you must continue your FEHB coverage into retirement (if eligible) and cannot cancel your coverage, change to Self Only, or change to a plan that does not serve the area in which your children live as long as the court/administrative order is in effect.  Similarly, you cannot change to Self Plus One if the court/administrative order identifies more than one child.  Contact your employing office for further information.

  • When benefits and premiums start

The benefits in this brochure are effective January 1. If you joined this Plan during Open Season, your coverage begins on the first day of your first pay period that starts on or after January 1. If you changed plans or plan options during Open Season and you receive care between January 1 and the effective date of coverage under your new plan or option, your claims will be processed according to the 2022 benefits of your prior plan or option.  If you have met (or pay cost-sharing that results in your meeting) the out-of-pocket maximum under the prior plan or option, you will not pay cost-sharing for services covered between January 1 and the effective date of coverage under your new plan or option.  However, if your prior plan left the FEHB Program at the end of the year, you are covered under that plan’s 2021 benefits until the effective date of your coverage with your new plan. Annuitants’ coverage and premiums begin on January 1. If you joined at any other time during the year, your employing office will tell you the effective date of coverage.

If your enrollment continues after you are no longer eligible for coverage, (i.e., you have separated from Federal service) and premiums are not paid, you will be responsible for all benefits paid during the period in which premiums were not paid.  You may be billed for all services received directly from your provider.  You may be prosecuted for fraud for knowingly using health insurance benefits for which you have not paid premiums.  It is your responsibility to know when you or a family member are no longer eligible to use your health insurance coverage.

 

  • When you retire

When you retire, you can usually stay in the FEHB Program. Generally, you must have been enrolled in the FEHB Program for the last five years of your Federal service. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be eligible for other forms of coverage, such as Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC).

 

 




TermDefinition
When you lose benefits
  • When FEHB coverage ends

You will receive an additional 31 days of coverage, for no additional premium, when:

  • Your enrollment ends, unless you cancel your enrollment; or
  • You are a family member no longer eligible for coverage.

Any person covered under the 31 day extension of coverage who is confined in a hospital or other institution for care or treatment on the 31st day of the temporary extension is entitled to continuation of the benefits of the Plan during the continuance of the confinement but not beyond the 60th day after the end of the 31 day temporary extension.

You may be eligible for spouse equity coverage or assistance with enrolling in a conversion policy (non-FEHB individual policy).

  • Upon divorce

If you are divorced from a Federal employee or annuitant, you may not continue to get benefits under your former spouse’s enrollment. This is the case even when the court has ordered your former spouse to provide health coverage for you. But, you may be eligible for your own FEHB coverage under the spouse equity law or Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC). If you are recently divorced or are anticipating a divorce, contact your ex-spouse’s employing or retirement office to get information about your coverage choices. You can also visit OPM’s Website, www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/ A carrier may request that an enrollee verify the eligibility of any or all family members listed as covered under the enrollee’s FEHB enrollment

  • Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC)

If you leave Federal service, Tribal employment, or if you lose coverage because you no longer qualify as a family member, you may be eligible for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC).  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) did not eliminate TCC or change the TCC rules.  For example, you can receive TCC if you are not able to continue your FEHB enrollment after you retire, if you lose your Federal or Tribal job, if you are a covered dependent child and you turn 26, etc.   You may not elect TCC if you are fired from your Federal or Tribal job due to gross misconduct.

Enrolling in TCC.  Get the RI 79-27, which describes TCC from your employing or retirement office or from www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance.  It explains what you have to do to enroll.

Alternatively, you can buy coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace where, depending on your income, you could be eligible for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premiums. Visit www.HealthCare.gov to compare plans and see what your premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket costs would be before you make a decision to enroll.  Finally, if you qualify for coverage under another group health plan (such as your spouse’s plan), you may be able to enroll in that plan, as long as you apply within 30 days of losing FEHB Program coverage.

Converting to individual coverage

If you leave Federal or Tribal service, your employing office will notify you of your right to convert. You must contact us in writing within 31 days after you receive this notice. However, if you are a family member who is losing coverage, the employing or retirement office will not notify you. You must contact us in writing within 31 days after you are no longer eligible for coverage. 

Your benefits and rates will differ from those under the FEHB Program; however, you will not have to answer questions about your health waiting period will not be imposed, and your coverage will not be limited  due to pre-existing conditions. When you contact us, we will assist you in obtaining information about health benefits coverage inside or outside the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace in your state. For assistance in finding coverage, please contact us at 800-522-0088 or visit our website at www.healthnet.com/fehb.

  • Health Insurance Marketplace

If you would like to purchase health insurance through the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace, please visit www.HealthCare.gov.  This is a website provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides up-to-date information on the Marketplace.




Section 1. How This Plan Works

This Plan is a health maintenance organization (HMO).  OPM requires that FEHB plans be accredited to validate that plan operations and/or care management meet nationally recognized standards. Health Net holds an accredited status with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing healthcare quality information for consumers, purchasers, healthcare providers and researchers.  To learn more about this plan’s accreditation(s), please visit the following websites: National Committee for Quality Assurance (ncqa.org).  

Health Net requires you to see specific physicians, hospitals, and other providers that contract with us. These Plan providers coordinate your healthcare services.  We are solely responsible for the selection of these providers in your area. Contact us for a copy of our most recent provider directory.

HMOs emphasize preventive care such as routine office visits, physical exams, well-baby care, and immunizations, in addition to treatment for illness and injury. Our providers follow generally accepted medical practice when prescribing any course of treatment.

When you receive services from Plan providers, you will not have to submit claim forms or pay bills. You pay only the copayments and coinsurance described in this brochure. When you receive emergency services from non-Plan providers, you may have to submit claim forms.

You should join an HMO because you prefer the plan’s benefits, not because a particular provider is available. You cannot change plans because a provider leaves our Plan. We cannot guarantee that any one physician, hospital, or other provider will be available and/or remain under contract with us.

Note: As of January 1, 2022, the Standard Plan Option will no longer be available in the Federal Employee Health
Benefits Program.

General Features of our High Option

Our High Option is a HMO plan that offer comprehensive coverages with no deductible and varying copays.  New for 2022, CVS MinuteClinic coverage has been added and provides additional access to care. 

General Features of our Basic Option

Health Net continues to offer the Basic Option plan for 2022.  Our Basic Option plan utilizes SmartCare Network with affordable fixed copayments and access to CVS MinuteClinics.  Members with Medicare A and B can take advantage of the Basic Option Plan at no cost share for most services.  You can visit www.healthnet.com/fehb to view available providers or call the Health Net Customer Contact Center at 800-522-0088.

Health Net of California offers two benefit plans to Federal employees, High and Basic Options.   The provider networks we offer vary from plan options.  We highly recommend that you visit our website, www.healthnet.com/fehb to check if your physician is in our network.  The provider network selections are:

Location                   Coverage level         Enrollment Plan Codes        Provider Network Name

Northern California     High Option               LB1, LB2 and LB3           Full HMO (FEHB Northern CA High Option)

Northern California     Basic Option              T41, T42 and T43             SmartCare Network Large Group with walk-in clinics                                                                                                                     (FEHB Northern CA Basic Option)

How we pay providers

We contract with Participating Physician Groups (PPGs), rather than directly with physicians, on a capitated basis for HMO plans. These Plan providers accept a negotiated payment from us, and you will only be responsible for your cost-sharing (copayments, coinsurance, and non-covered services and supplies).  We will also contract directly with an individual physician in rural areas where PPGs do not exist.

Preventive Care services

Preventive care services are generally covered with no cost-sharing and are not subject to copayments, deductibles, or annual limits when received from a network provider.

Your rights and responsibilities

OPM requires that all FEHB plans provide certain information to their FEHB members. You may get information about us, our networks, and our providers.  OPM’s FEHB website www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance lists the specific types of information that we must make available to you.  Some of the required information is listed below.

  • Health Net of California received certification as a Federally Qualified HMO in 1979 and was licensed by the California Department of Corporations in 1991.

  • Health Net of California is a for profit, Mixed Model (MMP) HMO.

You are also entitled to a wide range of consumer protections and have specific responsibilities as a member of this Plan. You can view the complete list of these rights and responsibilities by visiting our website, Health Net of California at www.healthnet.com/fehb. You can also contact us to request that we mail a copy to you.

If you want more information about us, call 800-522-0088, or write to Health Net of California, P.O. Box 9103, Van Nuys, CA 91409-9103. You may also contact us by fax at 818-676-5198 or visit our Web site at www.healthnet.com/fehb.

By law, you have the right to access your protected health information (PHI). For more information regarding access to PHI, visit our website at www.healthnet.com/fehb to obtain our Notice of Privacy Practices.  You can also contact us to request that we mail you a copy of that Notice.

Your medical and claims records are confidential

We will keep your medical and claims records confidential.  Please note that we may disclose your medical and claims information (including your prescription drug utilization) to any of your treating physicians or dispensing pharmacies.

Service Area (Full HMO Network - Plan Code LB)

To enroll in this Plan, you must live in or work in our service area.  This is where our providers practice.  Our service area is: 

Full counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Kings, Madera, Marin, Merced, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Yolo counties, California 

Partial counties: El Dorado, Fresno, Nevada, Placer counties, California.  The following ZIP codes are those included in these partial counties: 

EL DORADO: 95613,95614,95619,95623,95633,95634,95635,95636,95651,95664,95667,95672,95682,95684,95709,95726,95762

FRESNO:  93210,93234,93242,93602,93605,93606,93607,93608,93609,93611,93612,93613,93616,93619,93621,93622,93624,93625,93626,93627, 93628,93630,93631,93634,93640,93641,93642,93646,93648,93649,93650,93651,93652,93654,93656,93657,93660,93662,93664,93667, 93668,93675,93701,93702,93703,93704,93705,93706,93707,93708,93709,93710,93711,93712,93714,93715,93716,93717,93718,93720, 93721,93722,93723,93724,93725,93726,93727,93728,93729,93730,93737,93740,93741,93744,93745,93747,93750,93755,93760,93761, 93764,93765,93771,93772,93773,93774,93775,93776,93777,93778,93779,93786,93790,93791,93792,93793,93794

NEVADA: 95712,95924,95945,95946,95949,95959,95960,95975

PLACER: 95602,95603,95604,95631,95648,95650,95658,95661,95663,95668,95677,95678,95681,95701,95703,95713,95714,95722, 95736,95746,95747,95765

Service Area (SmartCare HMO Network - Plan Code T4)

To enroll in this Plan, you must live in or work in our service area.  This is where our providers practice.  Our service area is: 

Full counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Kings, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Tulare, Yolo counties, California 

Partial counties: Fresno and Placer counties, California.  The following ZIP codes are those included in these partial counties: 

FRESNO:  93210,93234,93242,93602,93605,93606,93607,93608,93609,93611,93612,93613,93616,93619,93621,93622,93624,93625,93626,93627, 93628,93630,93631,93634,93640,93641,93642,93646,93648,93649,93650,93651,93652,93654,93656,93657,93660,93662,93664,93667, 93668,93675,93701,93702,93703,93704,93705,93706,93707,93708,93709,93710,93711,93712,93714,93715,93716,93717,93718,93720, 93721,93722,93723,93724,93725,93726,93727,93728,93729,93730,93737,93740,93741,93744,93745,93747,93750,93755,93760,93761, 93764,93765,93771,93772,93773,93774,93775,93776,93777,93778,93779,93786,93790,93791,93792,93793,93794

PLACER: 95648,95650,95661,95677,95678,95746,95747,95765

Ordinarily, you must get your care from providers who contract with us. If you receive care outside our service area, we will pay only for emergency care benefits. We will not pay for any other healthcare services out of our service area unless the services have prior plan approval.

If you or a covered family member move outside of our service area, you can enroll in another plan. If your dependents live out of the area (for example, if your child goes to college in another state), you should consider enrolling in a fee-for-service plan or an HMO that has agreements with affiliates in other areas. If you or a family member move, you do not have to wait until Open Season to change plans. Contact your employing or retirement office.




Section 2. Changes for 2022

Do not rely only on these change descriptions; this Section is not an official statement of benefits. For that, go to Section 5 Benefits. Also, we edited and clarified language throughout the brochure; any language change not shown here is a clarification that does not change benefits.

Program-wide change:

  • Effective in 2022, premium rates are the same for Non-Postal and Postal employees.

Changes to Standard Plan Option - Plan Code LB4, LB5 and LB6

  • The Standard Plan Option will no longer be offered to federal employees effective January 1, 2022.

Changes to High Plan Option - LB

  • CVS MinuteClinic is now available in the High Option effective January 1, 2022.  MinuteClinic is an additional access to care program. 
  • We are adding a Medicare Advantage option (Health Net Seniority Plus) for members enrolled in Part B and assign their
    Part B benefits to Health Net for its services. Details are available in Section 9, Coordinating Benefits with Medicare and
    Other Coverage.
  • Your share of the premium rate will increase for Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family.  See page 91.

Changes to Basic Plan Option - T4

  • Your share of the premium rate will increase for Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family.  See page 91.



Section 3. How You Get Care

TermDefinition

Identification cards

We will send you an identification (ID) card when you enroll. You should carry your ID card with you at all times. You must show it whenever you receive services from a Plan provider, or fill a prescription at a Plan pharmacy. Until you receive your ID card, use your copy of the Health Benefits Election Form, SF-2809, your health benefits enrollment confirmation (for annuitants), or your electronic enrollment system (such as Employee Express) confirmation letter.

If you do not receive your ID card within 30 days after the effective date of your enrollment, or if you need replacement cards, call us at 800-522-0088 or write to us at Health Net of California, PO Box 9103, Van Nuys, CA 91409-9103. You may also request replacement cards through our Website www.healthnet.com/fehb.

Where you get covered care

You get care from "Plan providers" and "Plan facilities." You will only pay copayments or coinsurance, and you will not have to file claims.

Balance Billing Protection

FEHB Carriers must have clauses in their in-network (participating) providers agreements.  These clauses provide that, for a service that is a covered benefit in the plan brochure or for services determined not medically necessary, the in-network provider agrees to hold the covered individual harmless (and may not bill) for the difference between the billed charge and the in network contracted amount.  If an in-network provider bills you for covered services over your normal cost share (deductible, copay, co-insurance) contact your Carrier to enforce the terms of its provider contract.

Plan providers

Plan providers are participating physician groups, physicians and other healthcare professionals in our service area that we contract with to provide covered services to our members. We maintain stringent credentialing and recredentialing criteria for our Plan Providers.

We list Plan providers in the provider directory, which we update periodically. The list is also on our Website.

This plan recognizes that transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming members require healthcare delivered by healthcare providers experienced in transgender health. While gender reassignment surgeons (benefit details found in Section 5(b)) and hormone therapy providers (benefit details found in Section 5(f)) play important roles in preventive care, you should see a primary care provider familiar with your overall healthcare needs. Benefits described in this brochure are available to all members meeting medical necessity guidelines. 

Plan facilitiesPlan facilities are hospitals and other facilities in our service area that we contract with to provide covered services to our members. We list these in the provider directory, which we update periodically. The list is also on our Website.

What you must do to get covered care

It depends on the type of care you need. First, you and each family member must choose a primary care physician. This decision is important since your primary care physician provides or arranges for most of your healthcare.

You must select a Participating Physicians Group (PPG) within a 30 mile radius of your home or work-site. Each family member may choose their own PPG and primary care physician.

You may transfer to another PPG by calling us at 800-522-0088. You may change PPG’s once a month or upon our approval.  The request will be denied if you are more than three months pregnant, confined to a hospital, in a surgery follow-up period (not yet released by the surgeon) or receiving treatment for an illness that is not yet complete.

Primary care

Your primary care physician can be a family practitioner, internist or pediatrician. Your primary care physician will provide most of your healthcare, or give you a referral to see a specialist.  If you want to change primary care physicians or if your primary care physician leaves the Plan, call us. We will help you select a new one.

Specialty care

Your primary care physician will refer you to a specialist for needed care. When you receive a referral from your primary care physician, you must return to the primary care physician after the consultation, unless your primary care physician authorized a certain number of visits without additional referrals. The primary care physician must provide or authorize all follow-up care. Do not go to the specialist for return visits unless your primary care physician gives you a referral. However, you may see a participating chiropractor (as described on page 41) and a woman may see her participating gynecologist at anytime without a referral.

Here are some other things you should know about specialty care:

  • If you need to see a specialist frequently because of a chronic, complex, or serious medical condition, your primary care physician will develop a treatment plan that allows you to see your specialist for a certain number of visits without additional referrals.
  • Your primary care physician will create your treatment plan. The physician may have to get an authorization or approval from us beforehand. If you are seeing a specialist when you enroll in our plan, talk to your primary care physician. If they decide to refer you to a specialist, ask if you can see your current specialist.
  • If your current specialist does not participate with us, you must receive treatment from a specialist who does. Generally, we will not pay for you to see a specialist who does not participate with our Plan.
  • If you are seeing a specialist and your specialist leaves the Plan, call your primary care physician, who will arrange for you to see another specialist. You may receive services from your current specialist until we can make arrangements for you to see someone else.
  • If you have a chronic and disabling condition and lose access to your specialist because we: 

- terminate our contract with your specialist for other than cause;

- drop out of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and you enroll in another FEHB program plan; or

- reduce our service area and you enroll in another FEHB plan;

you may be able to continue seeing your specialist for up to 90 days after you receive notice of the change. Contact us, or if we drop out of the Program, contact your new plan.

  • If you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and you lose access to your specialist based on the above circumstances, you can continue to see your specialist until the end of your postpartum care, even if it is beyond the 90 days.
  • If you are a new Health Net of California member and are currently receiving treatment for a qualifying medical condition from a provider who is not in our network, you may be eligible to complete treatment of your condition with the provider. Or, if you are an existing member and are currently receiving treatment for a qualifying medical condition from a provider who is leaving our network, you may be eligible to complete treatment of your condition with the provider. In order to receive more information about continuity of care and qualifying medical conditions and situations, please contact us at 800-522-0088 and we will assist you.

You also have the right to a second opinion when:

  • your primary care physician or a referral physician gives a diagnosis or recommends a treatment plan that you are not satisfied with;
  • you are not satisfied with the result of treatment you have received; 
  • you are diagnosed with, or a treatment plan is recommended for a condition that threatens loss of life, limb or bodily function, or a substantial impairment, including but not limited to a serious chronic condition; or
  • your primary care physician or a referral physician is unable to diagnose your condition, or test results are conflicting.

To request an authorization for a second opinion, contact your Primary Care Physician or Health Net of California Member Services at 800-522-0088. Physicians at your Physician Group or Health Net of California will review your request in accordance with Health Net of California’s second opinion policy. You may obtain a copy of this policy from Health Net of California’s Member Service Department. All second opinions must be provided by a participating network physician who specializes in the illness, disease or condition associated with the request. If there is no appropriately qualified physician in the network, your primary care physician will arrange for an out-of-network second opinion.

Hospital Care

Your Plan primary care physician or specialist will make necessary hospital arrangements and supervise your care. This includes admission to a skilled nursing or other type of facility.

  • If you are hospitalized when your enrollment begins

We pay for covered services from the effective date of your enrollment.  However, if you are in the hospital when your enrollment in our Plan begins, call our customer service department immediately at 800-522-0088. If you are new to the FEHB Program, we will arrange for you to receive care and provide benefits for your covered services while you are in the hospital beginning on the effective date of your coverage.

If you changed from another FEHB plan to us, your former plan will pay for the hospital stay until:

  • you are discharged, not merely moved to an alternative care center;
  • the day your benefits from your former plan run out; or
  • the 92nd day after you become a member of this Plan, whichever happens first.

These provisions apply only to the benefits of the hospitalized person. If your plan terminates participation in the FEHB Program in whole or in part, or if OPM orders an enrollment change, this continuation of coverage provision does not apply. In such cases, the hospitalized family member’s benefits under the new plan begin on the effective date of enrollment.

You need prior Plan approval for certain servicesSince your primary care physician arranges most referrals to specialists and inpatient hospitalization, the pre-service claim approval process only applies to care shown under Other services.  You must get prior approval for those services listed.  Failure to do so will result in denied claims and member will be responsible for the full cost.
  • Inpatient hospital admission

Precertification is the process by which - prior to your inpatient hospital admission - we evaluate the medical necessity of your proposed stay and the number of days required to treat your condition.

 

  • Other services

Your primary care physician has authority to refer you for most services.  For certain services, however, your physician must obtain prior approval from us.  Before giving approval, we consider if the service is covered, medically necessary, and follows generally accepted medical practice.  You must obtain prior authorization for some services such as but not limited to:

  • Acute rehabilitation and behavioral health facility admissions
  • Air ambulance and non-emergent ambulance transportation
  • All bariatric-related consultations, services and surgical services
  • Clinical trials
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Home health services, including but not limited to IV infusion, hospice
  • Outpatient diagnostic procedures, including but not limited to CT, MRA, MRI, PET and SPECT
  • Transplants
  • Growth Hormone Treatment (GHT)
  • Certain formulary and non-formulary prescription drugs

Services that are not authorized by your primary care physician or Health Net of California will not be covered.

How to request precertification for an admission or get prior authorization for Other services

First, your physician, your hospital, you, or your representative, must call us at 800-977-7282 before admission or services requiring prior authorization are rendered.

Next, provide the following information:

  • enrollee's name and Plan identification number;
  • patient's name, birth date, identification number and phone number;
  • reason for hospitalization, proposed treatment, or surgery;
  • name and phone number of admitting physician;
  • name of hospital or facility; and
  • number of days requested for hospital stay.
  • Non-urgent care claims

For non-urgent care claims, we will tell the physician and/or hospital the number of approved inpatient days, or the care that we approve for other services that must have prior authorization.  We will make our decision within 15 days of receipt of the pre-service claim.  If matters beyond our control require an extension of time, we may take up to an additional 15 days for review and we will notify you of the need for an extension of time before the end of the original 15-day period.  Our notice will include the circumstances underlying the request for the extension and the date when a decision is expected.

If we need an extension because we have not received necessary information from you, our notice will describe the specific information required and we will allow you up to 60 days from the receipt of the notice to provide the information.

  • Urgent care claims

If you have an urgent care claim, (i.e., when waiting for the regular time limit for your medical care or treatment could seriously jeopardize your life, health, or ability to regain maximum function, or in the opinion of a physician with knowledge of your medical condition, would subject you to severe pain that cannot be adequately managed without this care or treatment), we will expedite our review and notify you of our decision within 72 hours.  If you request that we review your claim as an urgent care claim, we will review the documentation you provide and decide whether or not it is an urgent care claim by applying the judgment of a prudent layperson that possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine.

If you fail to provide sufficient information, we will contact you within 24 hours after we receive the claim to let you know what information we need to complete our review of the claim.  You will then have up to 48 hours to provide the required information.  We will make our decision on the claim within 48 hours of (1) the time we received the additional information or (2) the end of the time frame, whichever is earlier.

We may provide our decision orally within these time frames, but we will follow-up with written or electronic notification within three days of oral notification.

You may request that your urgent care claim on appeal be reviewed simultaneously by us and OPM.  Please let us know that you would like simultaneous review of your urgent care claim by OPM either in writing at the time you appeal our initial decision, or by calling us at 800-522-0088.  You may also call OPM's FEHB 3 at 202-606-0737 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time to ask for the simultaneous review.  We will cooperate with OPM so they can quickly review your claim on appeal.  In addition, if you did not indicate that your claim was a claim for urgent care, call us at 800-522-0088.  If it is determined that your claim is an urgent care claim, we will expedite our review (if we have not yet responded to your claim). 

 

  • Concurrent care claims

A concurrent care claim involves care provided over a period of time or over a number of treatments.  We will treat any reduction or termination of our pre-approved course of treatment before the end of the approved period of time or number of treatments as an appealable decision. This does not include reduction or termination due to benefit changes or if your enrollment ends.  If we believe a reduction or termination is warranted, we will allow you sufficient time to appeal and obtain a decision from us before the reduction or termination takes effect. 

If you request an extension of an ongoing course of treatment at least 24 hours prior to the expiration of the approved time period and this is also an urgent care claim, we will make a decision within 24 hours after we receive the claim.

 

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program – FSAFEDS

  • HealthCare FSA (HCFSA) – Reimburses you for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses (such as copayments, deductibles, physician prescribed over-the counter drugs and medications, vision and dental expenses, and much more) for you and your tax dependents, including adult children (through the end of the calendar year in which they turn 26).
  • FSAFEDS offers paperless reimbursement for your HCFSA through a number of FEHB and FEDVIP plans. This means that when you or your provider files claims with your FEHB or FEDVIP plan, FSAFEDS will automatically reimburse your eligible out-of-pocket expenses based on the claim information it receives from your plan.
  • Emergency inpatient admission   

If you have an emergency admission due to a condition that you reasonably believe puts your life in danger or could cause serious damage to bodily function, you, your representative, the physician, or the hospital must phone us within two business days following the day of the emergency admission, even if you have been discharged from the hospital.

  • Maternity care    

Emergency services and the minimum Hospital stay requirements for maternity do not require Prior Authorization.  All other Hospital Services, whether Inpatient or Outpatient, must be arranged through the Primary Care Physician.  Any member who receives Emergency Services must contact their Primary Care Physician within 48 hours of treatment, or as soon thereafter as is medically possible.

Further, if your baby stays after you are discharged, then your physician or the hospital must contact us for precertification of additional days for your baby.

Note: When a newborn requires definitive treatment during or after the mother’s confinement, the newborn is considered a patient in their own right. If the newborn is eligible for coverage, regular medical or surgical benefits apply rather than maternity benefits.

  • If your treatment needs to be extended

If you request an extension of an ongoing course of treatment at least 24 hours prior to the expiration of the approved time period and this is also an urgent care claim, we will make a decision within 24 hours after we receive the claim.

What happens when you do not follow the precertification rules when using non-network facilities

Prior authorization may be obtained by you or your Provider.  Coverage for those services will be provided only if Prior Authorization has been obtained from us.  If a Member receives care from a nonparticipating Physician or other healthcare Provider without a required Prior Authorization, the Member shall be responsible for the cost of these services.  Failure of the nonparticipating Provider to obtain the Prior Authorization shall in no way relieve the Member of the financial responsibility for services received from that Provider.

Circumstances beyond our control

Under certain extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters, we may have to delay your services or we may be unable to provide them. In that case, we will make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the necessary care.

If you disagree with our pre-service claim decision

If you have a pre-service claim and you do not agree with our decision regarding precertification of an inpatient admission or prior approval of other services, you may request a review in accord with the procedures detailed below.

If you have already received the service, supply, or treatment, then you have a post-service claim and must follow the entire disputed claims process detailed in Section 8.

  • To reconsider a non-urgent care claim

Within 6 months of our initial decision, you may ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision. Follow Step 1 of the disputed claims process detailed in Section 8 of this brochure.

In the case of a pre-service claim and subject to a request for additional information, we have 30 days from the date we receive your written request for reconsideration to

1. Pre-certify your hospital stay or, if applicable, arrange for the healthcare provider to give you the care or grant your request for prior approval for a service, drug, or supply; or

2. Ask you or your provider for more information.

You or your provider must send the information so that we receive it within 60 days of our request. We will then decide within 30 more days.

If we do not receive the information within 60 days, we will decide within 30 days of the date of the information was due. We will base our decision on the information we already have. We will write to you with our decision.

3. Write to you and maintain our denial.

  • To reconsider an urgent care claim

In the case of an appeal of a pre-service urgent care claim, within 6 months of our initial decision, you may ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision. Follow Step 1 of the disputed claims process detailed in Section 8 of this brochure.


Unless we request additional information, we will notify you of our decision within 72 hours after receipt of your reconsideration request. We will expedite the review process, which allows oral or written requests for appeals and the exchange of information by phone, electronic mail, facsimile, or other expeditious methods.

  • To file an appeal with OPM

After we reconsider your pre-service claim, if you do not agree with our decision, you may ask OPM to review it by following Step 3 of the disputed claims process detailed in Section 8 of this brochure.




Section 4. Your Cost for Covered Services

This is what you will pay out-of-pocket for covered care:




TermDefinition
Cost-sharing Cost-sharing is the general term used to refer to your out-of-pocket costs (e.g. deductible, coinsurance, and copayments) for the covered care you receive.

Copayments

A copayment is a fixed amount of money you pay to the provider, facility, pharmacy, etc., when you receive services.

Example: When you see your primary care physician, you pay a copayment of $20 per office visit for the High Option and $40 per office visit for the Basic Option.  When you go in the hospital you pay $150 per day (5 day max copay) per admission on the High Option and $500 per day (3 day max copay) per admission on the Basic Option.

DeductibleWe do not have a deductible.
Coinsurance

Coinsurance is the percentage of our negotiated fee that you must pay for your care.

Example: In our Plan, you pay 50% of our allowance for infertility services and 20% to a maximum of $200 per day for injectable medications.

Differences between our Plan allowance and the bill

You should also see section Important Notice About Surprise Billing – Know Your Rights below that describes your protections against surprise billing under the No Surprises Act.

Your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum

High Option: After your copayments and/or coinsurance for the High Option plan total $1,500 for Self Only, $3,000 for Self Plus One or $4,500 for Self and Family enrollment in any calendar year, you do not have to pay any more for covered services. However, your prescription drug benefit on the High plan has a separate out-of-pocket maximum of $2,900 for Self Only, $5,800 for Self Plus One and $8,700 for Self and Family that must be met before prescription copayments or coinsurance are waived.  

Basic Option: After your copayments and/or coinsurance for the Basic Option plan total $3,500 for Self Only, $7,000 for Self Plus One or $7,000 for Self and Family enrollment in any calendar year, you do not have to pay any more for covered services.  However, your prescription drug benefit on the Basic Option plan has a separate out-of-pocket maximum of $2,000 for Self Only, $4,000 for Self Plus One and $4,000 for Self and Family that must be met before prescription copayments or coinsurance are waived.

The maximum annual limitation on cost sharing listed under Self Only of $1,500 for the High Option and $3,500 for the Basic Option apply to each individual, regardless of whether the individual is enrolled in Self Only, Self Plus One, or Self and Family.

However, copayments and coinsurance, if applicable for the following services do not count toward your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum, and you must continue to pay copayments and coinsurance for these services:

• Eyeglasses or contact lenses

• Copayments or coinsurance for infertility treatment

• Expenses for services and supplies that exceed the stated maximum dollar or day limit

• Expenses from utilizing out-of-network providers

Be sure to keep accurate records and receipts of your copayments and coinsurance since you are responsible for informing us when you reach the maximum.

Carryover

If you changed to this Plan during Open Season from a plan with a catastrophic protection benefit and the effective date of the change was after January 1, any expenses that would have applied to that plan’s catastrophic protection benefit during the prior year will be covered by your prior plan if they are for care you received in January before your effective date of coverage in this Plan. If you have already met your prior plan’s catastrophic protection benefit level in full, it will continue to apply until the effective date of your coverage in this Plan. If you have not met this expense level in full, your prior plan will first apply your covered out-of-pocket expenses until the prior year’s catastrophic level is reached and then apply the catastrophic protection benefit to covered out-of pocket expenses incurred from that point until the effective date of your coverage in this Plan. Your prior plan will pay these covered expenses according to this year’s benefits; benefit changes are effective January 1.

Note:  If you change options in this Plan during the year, we will credit the amount of covered expenses already accumulated toward the catastrophic out-of-pocket limit of your prior option to the catastrophic protection limit of your new option.

When Government facilities bill usFacilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and the Indian Health Services are entitled to seek reimbursement from us for certain services and supplies they provide to you or a family member.  They may not seek more than their governing laws allow.  You may be responsible to pay for certain services and charges.  Contact the government facility directly for more information.

Important Notice About Surprise Billing – Know Your Rights

The No Surprises Act (NSA) is a federal law that provides you with protections against “surprise billing” and “balance billing” under certain circumstances. A surprise bill is an unexpected bill you receive from a nonparticipating healthcare provider, facility, or air ambulance service for healthcare. Surprise bills can happen when you receive emergency care – when you have little or no say in the facility or provider from whom you receive care. They can also happen when you receive non-emergency services at participating facilities, but you receive some care from nonparticipating providers.

Balance billing happens when you receive a bill from the nonparticipating provider, facility, or air ambulance service for the difference between the nonparticipating provider's charge and the amount payable by your health plan.

Your health plan must comply with the NSA protections that hold you harmless from unexpected bills. 

Per section 2799A-5(c) of the PHS Act, section 9820(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, section 720(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act -

For more information, please visit out website at www.healthnet.com on:

(1) the restrictions on balance billing in certain circumstances,

(2) any applicable state law protections against balance billing,

(3) the requirements described under Code section 9816, ERISA section 716, and PHS Act section 2799A-1, and

(4) information on contacting appropriate state and federal agencies in the case that an individual believes that a provider or facility has violated the restrictions against balance billing.




Section 5. High and Basic Option Benefits (High and Basic Options)

See page 16 for how our benefits changed this year. Pages 87 and 89 are benefits summaries for the High and Basic Option.  Make sure that you review the benefits that are available under the option in which you are enrolled.




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Section 5. High and Basic Option Benefits Overview (High and Basic Options)

This Plan offers a High and Basic Option.  All benefit packages are described in Section 5.  Make sure that you review the benefits that are available under the option in which you are enrolled.

The High and Basic Options Section 5 is divided into subsections.  Please read Important things you should keep in mind at the beginning of the subsections.  Also read the general exclusions in Section 6; they apply to the benefits in the following subsections.  To obtain claim forms, claims filing advice, or more information about High or Basic Option benefits, contact us at 800-522-0088 or on our Website at www.healthnet.com/fehb.

Health Net of California offers three benefit plans to Federal members, High and Basic Options.  All Options include preventive and acute care services, but offer different levels of benefits and services for you to choose between to best fit your healthcare needs.

All plans offer comprehensive coverage but have varying copays.  The High Option has lower copayments while the Basic Option offers lower premiums.  You can visit www.healthnet.com/fehb to view available providers.

Our High Option benefits include:

  • PCP office visit copay - $20; Specialist office visit copay - $30
  • Telehealth services through Health Net preferred vendor is $0; Telehealth services through the medical group,
    office/specialist copay applies.
  • Inpatient Hospitalization - $150 copay per day up to 5 days
  • Prescriptions Drug Copays - $10 generic, $35 brand, $60 non-formulary, 20% to a maximum $200 per prescription for specialty drugs
  • Chiropractic and Acupuncture - $10 copay, 20 visits

Our Basic Option benefits include:

  • PCP and Specialist office visit copay - $40
  • Telehealth services through Health Net preferred vendor is $0; Telehealth services through the medical group,
    office/specialist copay applies.
  • Inpatient Hospitalization - $500 copay per day up to 3 days
  • Prescriptions Drug Copays Retail- $15 generic, $30 brand, $50 non-formulary, 20% to a maximum $200 per prescription for specialty drugs
  • Chiropractic and Acupuncture - $15 copay, 10 visits




Section 5(a). Medical Services and Supplies Provided by Physicians and Other Healthcare Professionals (High and Basic Options)

Important things you should keep in mind about these benefits:

  • Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.
  • Plan physicians must provide or arrange your care.
  • A facility copay applies to services that appear in this section but are performed in an amubulatory surgical center or the outpatient department of a hospital.
  • We have no calendar year deductible.
  • Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost-sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.



Benefit Description : Diagnostic and treatment servicesHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Professional services of physicians

  • In physician’s office
  • Office medical consultations
  • Second surgical opinion 
$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per visit

Professional services of healthcare professionals at CVS MinuteClinics

$20 per visit

$30 per visit

Preventive Care Services at CVS MinuteClinics

Nothing

Nothing

Professional services of physicians
• In an urgent care center

$20 per visit

$40 per visit

Professional services of physicians

  • During a hospital stay
  • In a skilled nursing facility
NothingNothing

At home

$20 per visit

$50 per visit

Not covered:

  • Treatment that is not authorized by a plan physician
  • Treatment that is not medically necessary

 

All charges

 

All charges

Immunizations for occupational and foreign travel

Note: Any procedure, injection, diagnostic service, laboratory, or X-ray service done in conjunction with a routine examination and is not included in the preventive recommended listing of services will be subject to the applicable member copayments, coinsurance, and deductible. 

20% of charges

20% of charges

Benefit Description : Telehealth servicesHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Telehealth consultations provided by Health Net's preferred vendor board-certified doctors and pediatricians by secure video, mobile app or phone.  Available 24 hours, 7 days a week for non-emergency conditions such as:

  • Allergies
  • Cold/flu
  • Ear problems
  • Respiratory problems
  • Sore throats
  • Urinary problems/UTI

Note: 

Telehealth services also include access to behavioral therapy services including mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

For more information, please visit www.healthnet.com/fehb.

NothingNothing

Telehealth consultations provided by the physicians in your medical group.

$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per visit

Benefit Description : Lab, X-ray and other diagnostic testsHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Tests, such as:

  • Blood tests
  • Urinalysis
  • Non-routine pap tests
  • Pathology
  • X-rays
  • Non-routine mammograms
  • Ultrasound
  • Electrocardiogram and EEG
NothingNothing
CT, MRI, PET, SPECT and other specialized scans$250 Copay

$200 Copay

Benefit Description : Preventive care, adultHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Routine physical every year

The following preventive services are covered at the time interval recommended at each of the links below:

• Immunizations such as Pneumococcal, influenza, shingles, tetanus/DTaP, and human papillomavirus (HPV). For a complete list of immunizations go to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/

• Screenings such as cancer, osteoporosis, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, total blood cholesterol, HIV, and colorectal cancer screening.  For a complete list of screenings go to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) website at https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org

• Individual counseling on prevention and reducing health risks

• Well woman care such as Pap smears, gonorrhea prophylactic medication to protect newborns, annual counseling for sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive methods, and screening for interpersonal and domestic violence.  For a complete list of Well Women preventive care services please visit the Health and Human Services (HHS) website at https://www.healthcare.gov/preventive-care-women/

To build your personalized list of preventive services go to https://health.gov/myhealthfinder

Nothing

Nothing

Routine mammogram - covered for women

NothingNothing

Adult immunizations endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) schedule

NothingNothing

Not covered: Physical exams and immunizations required for obtaining or continuing employment or insurance, attending schools or camp, athletic exams, or travel.

All chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : Preventive care, childrenHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Well-child visits, examinations, and other immunizations as described in the Bright Future Guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  For a complete list of the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures Guidelines go to https://brightfutures.aap.org.

  • Immunizations such as DTaP, Polio, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR),and Varicella. For a complete list of immunizations go to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html

  • You can also find a complete list of preventive care services recommended under the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) online at https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org
  • To build your personalized list of preventive services go to https://health.gov/myhealthfinder

Note: Any procedure, injection, diagnostic service, laboratory, or X-ray service done in conjunction with a routine examination and is not included in the preventive recommended listing of services will be subject to the applicable member copayments, coinsurance, and deductible.

NothingNothing

Not covered: Physical exams required for obtaining or continuing employment or insurance, attending schools or camp, athletic exams, or for travel.

All chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : Maternity careHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Complete maternity (obstetrical) care, such as:

  • Prenatal care 
  • Postnatal care

$20 per visit PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per visit

Screening for gestational diabetes for pregnant women 

Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling for each birth    

NothingNothing

Delivery

Note: Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • You do not need to pre-certify your vaginal delivery;
  • You may remain in the hospital up to 48 hours after a vaginal delivery and 96 hours after a cesarean delivery. We will extend your inpatient stay if medically necessary.
  • We cover routine nursery care of the newborn child during the covered portion of the mother’s maternity stay. We will cover other care of an infant who requires non-routine treatment only if we cover the infant under a Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment. Surgical benefits, not maternity benefits, apply to circumcision.
  • We pay hospitalization and surgeon services for non-maternity care the same as for illness and injury.
  • Hospital services are covered under Section 5(c) and Surgical benefits Section 5(b).

Note: When a newborn requires definitive treatment during or after the mother’s confinement, the newborn is considered a patient in their own right. If the newborn is eligible for coverage, regular medical or surgical benefits apply rather than maternity benefits.

NothingNothing
Benefit Description : Family planning High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
Contraceptive counseling on an annual basisNothingNothing

A broad range of voluntary family planning services, limited to:

  • Surgically implanted contraceptives
  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
  • Diaphragms
NothingNothing
  • Injectable contraceptive drugs (such as Depo Provera)

Note:  We cover oral contraceptives under the prescription drug benefit.

NothingNothing
  • Voluntary sterilization (females)(e.g., Tubal ligation)
NothingNothing
  • Voluntary sterilization (males)(e.g., Vasectomy)

$50 Copay

$50 Copay

Genetic testing for mother/child are subject to medical necessity and experimental/investigational review by the Plan. 

Cell-free fetal DNA testing is a screening test of the woman’s blood taken after 10 weeks of pregnancy. It measures the relative amount of free fetal DNA and indicates if the fetus is at increased risk of having Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13).


One cell-free fetal DNA test per pregnancy is
medically necessary for members meeting all
of the following criteria:


• Underwent pretest counseling, and


• Current pregnancy not a multiple gestation, and


• Current pregnancy between 10 and 22 weeks gestation at the time the blood was drawn, and 

• High risk for fetal aneuploidy as
evidenced by one of the following:


- Maternal age >35 years at delivery, or
- Maternal history of a child affected
with trisomy, or
- Abnormal ultrasound findings, or
- Positive test result for aneuploidy,
including first trimester, sequential, or
integrated screen, or quadruple screen,
or
- A parent carrying a balanced
Robertsonian translocation with
increased risk of trisomy 13 or trisomy
21.

Cell-free fetal DNA testing for any indication not listed above is considered not medically necessary.


Cell-free fetal DNA testing for additional chromosomal abnormalities other than trisomy 21, 18 or 13 are considered not medically necessary, including, but not limited to, other trisomies, aneuploidies, or microdeletions.

Nothing

Nothing

Cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy carrier testings are subject to medical
necessity and experimental/investigational review by the Plan.


Cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy carrier screenings medically necessary for women who are pregnant and meet the following criteria:


• No prior CF or SMA screening results are
available, and

• Pregnancy 22 weeks gestation, and


• Underwent pretest counseling.


Cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy carrier screenings anytime other than during pregnancy are subject to medically necessary review by the Plan when meeting the most current version of the relevant nationally recognized decision support tools.

Nothing

Nothing

Not covered:

  • Reversal of voluntary surgical sterilization
  • Genetic counseling and testing not listed above

All charges

All charges

Benefit Description : Infertility servicesHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Diagnosis and treatment of infertility such as:

  • Artificial insemination (AI):

- Intravaginal insemination (IVI)

- Intracervical insemination (ICI)

- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

- Fertility drugs

  • Embryo transfer and gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)

Note: We cover injectible fertility drugs under medical benefits and oral fertility drugs under the prescription drug benefit.

50% of charges50% of charges

Not covered:

  • Assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, such as:
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Embryo transfer and zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT)
  • Services and supplies related to ART procedures
  • Cost of donor sperm, ova or their collection or storage
  • Injectable medications for infertility treatments not covered by the plan
  • Artificial insemination cycles in excess of 6 cycles

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Allergy careHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Testing and treatment
  • Allergy injections
  • Allergy serum 
Nothing

Nothing

Not covered:

  • Provocative food testing
  • Sublingual allergy desensitization

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Treatment therapiesHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Note: High dose chemotherapy in association with autologous bone marrow transplants is limited to those transplants listed under Organ/Tissue Transplants on page 49.

  • Respiratory and inhalation therapy
  • Dialysis – hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
  • Intravenous (IV)/Infusion Therapy – Home IV or antibiotic therapy administered at home by home health nurse
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nothing

Nothing

  • Cardiac rehabilitation following qualifying event/condition is provided in accordance with the treatment plan

  • Growth hormone therapy (GHT)

Note: – We only cover GHT when we preauthorize the treatment. We will ask you to submit information that establishes that the GHT is medically necessary. Ask us to authorize GHT before you begin treatment.  We will only cover GHT services and related services and supplies that we determine are medically necessary.  See Other services under You need prior Plan approval for certain services on page 20.

Nothing

 

20% to a maximum of $200 per day

$40 per office visit

 

20% to a maximum of $200 per day

Benefit Description : Physical and occupational therapiesHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Services of each of the following:

  • Qualified physical therapists
  • Occupational therapists

Note:  We only cover therapy when a provider:

  • orders the care
  • identifies the specific professional skills the patient requires and the medical necessity for skilled services; and 
  • indicates the length of time the services are needed.

 

Nothing

$40 per visit 

Not covered:

  • Long-term rehabilitative therapy
  • Exercise programs
  • When medical documentation does not support the medical necessity because of the member’s inability to progress toward the treatment plan goals or when the member has already met the treatment plan goals.

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Speech therapy High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
Services for speech therapy are coveredNothing

$40 per visit

Benefit Description : Injectable MedicationsHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Office Based - Therapeutic Injections
  • Self Administered - acquired through specialty pharmacy with prescription
  • Growth Hormone Therapy (GHT)

Note: Does not apply to: Allergy serum injections (see page 36); Injectable fertility drugs (see page 35); Routine immunizations (see page 31) and Immunizations for occupational and foreign travel (see page 29).

20% to a maximum of $200 per day

20% to a maximum of $200 per day

Benefit Description : Hearing services (testing, treatment, and supplies)High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • For treatment related to illness or injury, including evaluation and diagnostic hearing tests performed by an M.D., D.O., or audiologist 

Note:  For routine hearing screening performed during a child's preventive care visit, see Section 5(a) Preventive care, children. 

$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit 

$40 per visit 

  • External hearing aids
  • Implanted hearing-related devices, such as bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and cochlear implants

Note:  For benefits for the devices, See Section 5(a) Orthopedic and prosthetic devices.  

$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit 

$40 per visit

Not covered:

  • Hearing services that are not shown as covered

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Vision services (testing, treatment, and supplies)High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

  • One pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct an impairment directly caused by accidental ocular injury or intraocular surgery (such as for cataracts)
  • Eye exam to determine the need for vision correction (see preventive care). Annual eye refractions

$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per visit

Not covered:

  • Eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • Eye exercises and orthoptics
  • Radial keratotomy and other refractive surgery
  • Eyeglasses or contact lenses after Interocular lens implant

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Foot careHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Routine foot care when you are under active treatment for a metabolic or peripheral vascular disease, such as diabetes.

Note: See Orthopedic and prosthetic devices for information on podiatric shoe inserts.
$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per visit

Not covered:

  • Cutting, trimming or removal of corns, calluses, or the free edge of toenails, and similar routine treatment of conditions of the foot, except as stated above
  • Treatment of weak, strained or flat feet or bunions or spurs; and of any instability, imbalance or subluxation of the foot (unless the treatment is by open cutting surgery)

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Orthopedic and prosthetic devices High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  •  Artificial limbs and eyes
  • Prosthetic sleeve or sock
  • Externally worn breast prostheses and surgical bras, including necessary replacements following a mastectomy
  • Corrective orthopedic appliances for non-dental treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain dysfunction syndrome
  • Internal prosthetic devices, such as artificial joints, pacemakers, and surgically implanted breast implant following mastectomy. 
 Nothing

 Nothing

  • External hearing aids for children  (under 18 years of age) with hearing loss - $1,500 maximum benefit every 36 months
  • External hearing aids for adults - 2 hearing aids every 36 months with a maximum benefit of $1,500 every 36 months
  • Implanted hearing-related devices, such as bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and cochlear implants 

Note:  For information on the professional charges for the surgery to insert an implant, see Section 5(b) Surgical procedures.  For information on the hospital and/or ambulatory surgery center benefits, see Section 5(c) Services provided by a hospital or other facility, and ambulance services.

Nothing

Nothing

Not covered:

  • Orthopedic and corrective shoes, arch supports, foot orthotics, except when they have been incorporated into a cast, splint, brace or strapping of the foot,or except to treat diabetes-related complications when prescribed by your Plan physician, heel pads and heel cups
  • Lumbosacral supports
  • Corsets, trusses, elastic stockings, support hose, and other supportive devices
  • Prosthetic replacements provided less than 3 years after the last one we covered
 All charges All charges
Benefit Description : Durable medical equipment (DME)High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

We cover rental or purchase of durable medical equipment, at our option, including repair and adjustment. Covered items include:

  • Oxygen
  • Dialysis equipment
  • Hospital beds
  • Standard wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs if medically necessary
  • Crutches
  • Walkers
  • Speech generating devices
  • Blood glucose monitors
  • Insulin pumps

Note: Call us at 800-522-0088 as soon your Plan physician prescribes this equipment.  We will arrange with a healthcare provider to rent or sell you durable medical equipment at discounted rates and will tell you more about this service when you call.  

NothingNothing

Not covered:

  • Exercise equipment
  • Hygienic equipment and supplies (to achieve cleanliness even when related to other covered medical services)
  • Stockings
  • Surgical dressings, except primary dressings that are applied by a Plan physician or a Hospital to lesions of the skin or surgical incisions
  • Jacuzzis and whirlpools
  • Orthotics which are not custom made to fit your body (Orthotics are supports or braces for weak or ineffective joints or muscles)
  • Foot orthotic, except when they have been incorporated into a cast, splint, brace or strapping of the foot
  • Laptop computers, desktop computers or PDA's that are not dedicated speech generating devices are not covered

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Home health servicesHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Home healthcare ordered by a Plan physician and provided by a registered nurse (R.N.), licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.), licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.), or home health aide.
  • Services include oxygen therapy, intravenous therapy and medications.

Note: Your Plan physician will review the home health service program for continuing appropriateness.

Nothing for the first 30 visits, $10 per visit thereafter

Nothing for the first 30 visits, $40 per visit, 100 visits max

Not covered:

  • Nursing care requested by, or for the convenience of, the patient or the patient’s family.
  • Home care primarily for personal assistance that does not include a medical component and is not diagnostic, therapeutic, or rehabilitative

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Chiropractic High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Chiropractic and Acupuncture services – by the chiropractors/acupuncturists that participate in the American Specialty Health Plan (ASHP) network.


20 visits per calendar year (High Option) and 10 visits per calendar year (Basic Option) are covered for these services without a referral from the Plan physician 

 

$10 per office visit

$15 per office visit

Chiropractic appliances are covered up to $50 per calendar yearAll charges above $50 per calendar yearAll charges above $50 per calendar year
Benefit Description : Alternative treatmentsHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Acupuncture - by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (when medically necessary and authorized by PPG) for:

  • anesthesia
  • pain relief
$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per visit

Not covered:

  • Naturopathic services
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Biofeedback
  • Massage therapy

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Educational classes and programsHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Coverage is provided for:

  • Tobacco cessation programs, including individual, group, telephonic counseling, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs approved by the FDA to treat tobacco dependence.
  • The following Smoking/Tobacco Cessation prescribed medications:  Zyban, Chantix, Nicotrol Inhaler, and Nicotrol NS, dosage limits and prior authorization requirements apply
  • FDA approved over-the-counter Nicotine replacement therapy medications.  Written prescription required and dosage limits apply

 

Nothing

Nothing for drugs filled at a Plan pharmacy

Nothing for drugs filled through mail order program

Nothing

Nothing for drugs filled at a Plan pharmacy

Nothing for drugs filled through mail order program

Health Net's Decision Power and Wellness Programs

  • Weight management
  • Diabetes self-management
  • Emotional health
  • Exercise
  • Nutrition
  • Stress management
  • Prenatal education
  • Treatment support videos
  • Omada Health's Prevent Program
NothingNothing



Section 5(b). Surgical and Anesthesia Services Provided by Physicians and Other Healthcare Professionals (High and Basic Options)

Important things you should keep in mind about these benefits:

  • Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.
  • Plan physicians must provide or arrange your care.
  • We have no calendar year deductible
  • Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost-sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.
  • The services listed below are for the charges billed by a physician or other healthcare professional for your surgical care. See Section 5(c) for charges associated with a facility (i.e. hospital, surgical center, etc.).
  • YOUR PHYSICIAN MUST GET PRECERTIFICATION FOR SOME SURGICAL PROCEDURES



Benefit Description : Surgical proceduresHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

A comprehensive range of services, such as:

  • Operative procedures
  • Treatment of fractures, including casting
  • Normal pre- and post-operative care by the surgeon
  • Correction of amblyopia and strabismus
  • Endoscopy procedures
  • Biopsy procedures
  • Removal of tumors and cysts
  • Correction of congenital anomalies (see Reconstructive surgery )
  • Surgical treatment of morbid obesity (bariatric surgery)

Health Net considers the following bariatric surgical procedures medically appropriate when all of the general criteria and all of the criteria specific to the procedures are met. Here is a list of the general criteria:

  • Patient is an adult greater than 18 and less than 65 years of age unless the patient is greater than 65 and is considered a low-risk candidate;
  • Morbid obesity has persisted for at least 5 years, especially in the year prior to the scheduled surgery;
  • The patient has clinically severe obesity defined by either Body mass index greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2 or a weight of at least two times the ideal weight for frame, age, height, and gender, as specified in the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance tables; or BMI of between 35 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2 with one or more of life-threatening, obesity-related co-morbidities which have not responded to optimal medical management.
  • In the two years prior to the planned date of surgery, the patient has failed to lose weight or has regained weight despite participation in a six-month dietary program supervised by either a physician or professional.
  • All patients must undergo a psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist/psychologist familiar with the implications of weight reduction surgery to rule out the presence of major psychological pathology (active substance abuse, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, uncontrolled depression) and to determine whether the patient will comply with the strict postoperative diet and lifelong follow-up.
  • Treatable metabolic causes for obesity, especially hypothyroidism, should be excluded before surgery.

Consult with your physician for all specific criteria related to the above procedures.  Health Net has a designated network of bariatric surgical centers to perform weight loss surgery.  Your Member Physician can provide you with information about these centers.  You will be directed to a Health Net designated bariatric surgical center at the time authorizations is obtained.  If you live 50 miles or more from the nearest Health Net designated bariatric surgical center, you are eligible to receive travel expense reimbursement.  All requests for travel reimbursement must be prior approved by Health Net. 

  • Insertion of internal prosthetic devices . See 5(a) – Orthopedic and prosthetic devices for device coverage information
  • Treatment of burns

Note: Generally, we pay for internal prostheses (devices) according to where the procedure is done. For example, we pay Hospital benefits for a pacemaker and Surgery benefits for insertion of the pacemaker.

  • Gender reassignment surgery for the treatment of gender dysphoria/ gender identity disorder is subject to medical necessity and plan criteria must be met.

    Gender nonconformity refers to the extent to which a person’s gender identity, role, or expression differs from the cultural norms prescribed for people of a particular sex. Gender dysphoria refers to the discomfort or distress that is cause by a discrepancy between a person’s gender identity and that person’s sex assigned at birth (and the associated gender role and/or primary and secondary sex characteristics).  Only some transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming people experience gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. 

    Services for gender affirmation most often include hormone treatment, counseling, psychotherapy, complete hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy, chest reconstruction or augmentation as appropriate, genital reconstruction, facial hair removal, and certain facial plastic reconstruction.  Not every individual will require each intervention so necessity needs to be considered on an individualized basis.  Eligible candidates must be 18 years old and above, exceptions to adolescent female to male patients under 18 years old is listed in the policy.   

    For Health Net’s full policy on gender affirming procedures, please visit www.healthnet.com/content/healthnet/en_us/providers/working-with-hn/medical_policies.html#clinical_practice_guidelines

$20 per PCP visit, $30 per specialist visit

Nothing for surgery - $150 copayment per day up to 5 days per inpatient admission or $200 copayment for outpatient surgery

$40 per visit

Nothing for surgery - $500 copayment per day up to 3 days per inpatient admission or $500 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at a hospital / $200 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at an ambulatory surgery center 

  • Voluntary sterilization (e.g., Tubal ligation)

 

NothingNothing
  • Voluntary sterilization (e.g., Vasectomy)
$50 copay$50 copay

Not covered:

  • Reversal of voluntary sterilization
  • Routine treatment of conditions of the foot; (see Foot care)
  • Gender reassignment services that are not considered medically necessary or meet
    reconstructive surgery criteria.

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Reconstructive surgery High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Surgery to correct a functional defect

  • Surgery to correct a condition caused by injury or illness if:

    - the condition produced a major effect on the member’s appearance and

    - the condition can reasonably be expected to be corrected by such surgery

  • Surgery to correct a condition that existed at or from birth and is a significant deviation from the common form or norm. Examples of congenital anomalies are: protruding ear deformities; cleft lip; cleft palate; birth marks; webbed fingers and toes.

  • All stages of breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy, such as:

    - surgery to produce a symmetrical appearance of breasts;

    - treatment of any physical complications, such as lymphedemas;

    - breast prostheses and surgical bras and replacements (see Prosthetic devices)

     Note: If you need a mastectomy, you may choose to have the procedure performed on an inpatient basis and remain in the hospital up to 48 hours after the procedure.

  • Gender reassignment surgery for the treatment of gender dysphoria/ gender identity disorder is subject to medical necessity and plan criteria must be met.

    Gender nonconformity refers to the extent to which a person’s gender identity, role, or expression differs from the cultural norms prescribed for people of a particular sex.  Gender dysphoria refers to the discomfort or distress that is cause by a discrepancy between a person’s gender identity and that person’s sex assigned at birth (and the associated gender role and/or primary and secondary sex characteristics).  Only some transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming people experience gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. 

    Services for gender affirmation most often include hormone treatment, counseling, psychotherapy, complete hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy, chest reconstruction or augmentation as appropriate, genital reconstruction, facial hair removal, and certain facial plastic reconstruction.  Not every individual will require each intervention so necessity needs to be considered on an individualized basis.  Eligible candidates must be 18 years old and above, exceptions to adolescent female to male patients under 18 years old is listed in the policy.   

    For Health Net’s full policy on gender affirming procedures, please visit www.healthnet.com/content/healthnet/en_us/providers/working-with-hn/medical_policies.html#clinical_practice_guidelines

Nothing for surgery - $150 copayment per day up to 5 days per inpatient admission or $200 copay for outpatient surgery

Nothing for surgery - $500 copayment per day up to 3 days per inpatient admission or $500 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at a hospital / $200 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at an ambulatory surgery center

Not covered:

  • Cosmetic surgery – any surgical procedure (or any portion of a procedure) performed primarily to improve physical appearance through change in bodily form, except repair of accidental injury.  Breast augmentation and/or facial feminization surgical services are considered cosmetic when provided in
    conjunction with transgender surgical services.

All chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : Oral and maxillofacial surgery High Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Oral surgical procedures, limited to:

  • Reduction of fractures of the jaws or facial bones;
  • Surgical correction of cleft lip, cleft palate or severe functional malocclusion;
  • Removal of stones from salivary ducts;
  • Excision of leukoplakia or malignancies;
  • Excision of cysts and incision of abscesses when done as independent procedures; and
  • Other surgical procedures that do not involve the teeth or their supporting structures.
Nothing for surgery - $150 copayment per day up to 5 days per inpatient admission or $200 copayment for outpatient surgery

Nothing for surgery - $500 copayment per day up to 3 days per inpatient admission or $500 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at a hospital / $200 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at an ambulatory surgery center

Not covered:

  • Oral implants and transplants
  • Procedures that involve the teeth or their supporting structures (such as the periodontal membrane, gingival, and alveolar bone)

 

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Organ/tissue transplantsHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

These solid organ transplants are subject to medical necessity and experimental/investigational review by the Plan.  Refer to Other services in Section 3 for prior authorization procedures.

Autologous pancreas islet cell transplant (as an adjunct to total or near total pancreatectomy) only for patients with chronic pancreatitis

  • Cornea
  • Heart
  • Heart/lung
  • Intestinal Transplant

   - Isolated small intestine

   - Small intestine with the liver

   - Small intestine with multiple organs, such as the liver, stomach, and pancreas

  • Kidney
  • Kidney-pancreas
  • Liver  
  • Lung:  single/bilateral/lobar
  • Pancreas

These tandem blood or marrow cell transplants for covered transplants are subject to medical necessity review by the Plan.  Refer to Other services in Section 3 for prior authorization procedures.

  • Autologous tandem transplants for
    • AL Amyloidosis
    • Multiple myeloma (de novo and treated)
    • Recurrent germ cell tumors (including testicular cancer)
Nothing for surgery - $150 copayment per day up to 5 days for inpatient admission

Nothing for surgery - $500 copayment per day up to 3 days for inpatient admission

Blood or marrow stem cell transplants

The plan extends coverage for the diagnoses as indicated below.

  • Allogeneic transplants for
    • Acute lymphocytic or non-lymphocytic (i.e., myelogenous) leukemia
    • Acute myeloid leukemia
    • Advanced Hodgkins lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Advanced Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPDs)
    • Advanced neuroblastoma
    • Advanced non-Hodgkins lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Amyloidosis
    • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)
    • Hemoglobinopathy
    • Infantile malignant osteoporosis
    • Kostmann's syndrome
    • Leukocyte adhesion deficiencies
    • Marrow failure and related disorders (i.e. Fanconi's PNH, Pure Red Cell Aplasis)
    • Mucolipidosis (e.g. Gaucher's disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy)
    • Mucopolysaccharidosis (e.g. Hurler's syndrome, Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome variants)
    • Myelodysplasia/Myelodyplastic syndromes
    • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
    • Phagocytic/Hemophagocytic deficiency diseases (e.g. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
    • Severe combined immunodeficiency
    • Severe or very severe aplastic anemia
    • Sickle cell anemia
    • X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome
  • Autologous transplants for
    • Acute lymphocytic or non-lymphocytic (i.e., myelogenous) leukemia
    • Advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Amyloidosis  
    • Breast Cancer
    • Ependymoblastoma
    • Epithelial ovarian cancer
    • Advanced Ewing's sarcoma (pediatric only)
    • Medulloblastoma
    • Multiple myeloma
    • Pineoblastoma
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Testicular, Mediastinal, Refroperitoneal, and Ovarian germ cell tumors

Mini-transplants performed in a clinical trial setting (non-myeloablative, reduced intensity conditioning or RIC) for members with a diagnosis listed below are subject to medical necessity review by the Plan.

Refer to Other services in Section 3 for prior authorization procedures:

  • Allogeneic transplants for
    • Acute Lymphocytic or non-lymphocytic (i.e., myelogenous) leukemia
    • Acute myeloid  leukemia (when criteria is met)
    • Advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Advanced Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPDs)(when criteria is met)
    • Advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Amyloidosis
    • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)
    • Hemoglobinopathy
    • Marrow failure and related disorders (i.e. Fanconi's PNH, Pure Red Cell Aplasia)
    • Myelodysplasia/Myelodysplastic syndromes
    • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
    • Severe combined immunodeficiency
    • Severe or very severe aplastic anemia
  • Autologous transplants for
    • Acute lymphocytic or nonlymphocytic (i.e., myelogenous) leukemia
    • Advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with recurrence (relapsed)
    • Amyloidosis
    • Neuroblastoma
Nothing for surgery - $150 copayment per day up to 5 days for inpatient admission

Nothing for surgery - $500 copayment per day up to 3 days for inpatient admission

These blood or marrow stem cell transplants are covered only in a National Cancer Institute or National Institutes of health approved clinical trial or a Plan-designated center of excellence if approved by the Plan's medical director in accordance with the the Plan's protocols.  

If you are a participant in a clinical trial, the Plan will provide benefits for related routine care that is medically necessary (such as doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays and scans, and hospitalization related to treating the patient's condition) if it is not provided by the clinical trial.  Section 9 has additional information on costs related to clinical trials.  We encourage you to contact the Plan to discuss specific services if you participate in a clinical trial.

  • Allogeneic transplants for
    • Advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Beta Thalassemia Major
    • Early stage (indolent or non-advanced) small cell lymphocytic lymphoma
    • Multiple myeloma
    • Sickle Cell anemia
  • Mini-transplants (non-myeloblative allogeneic, reduced intensity conditioning or RIC) for
    • Acute lymphocytic or non-lymphocytic (i.e. myelogenous) leukemia
    • Advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Breast cancer
    • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
    • Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)
    • Chronic myelogenous leukemia
    • Colon cancer
    • Early stage (indolent or non-advanced) small cell lymphocytic lymphoma
    • Multiple myeloma
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Myelodysplasia/Myelodyplastic syndromes
    • Myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs)
    • Non-small cell lung cancer
    • Ovarian cancer
    • Prostate cancer
    • Renal cell carcinomas
    • Sarcomas
    • Sickle cell anemia
  • Autologous Transplants for
    • Advanced childhood kidney cancers
    • Advanced Ewing sarcoma (pediatric only)
    • Advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Breast cancer
    • Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma
    • Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL)
    • Chronic myelogenous leukemia
    • Early stage (indolent or non-advanced) small cell lymphocytic lymphoma
    • Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
    • Mantle Cell (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma) (adults only)
    • Small cell lung cancer
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus
    • Systemic sclerosis

Note:  We cover related medical and hospital expenses of the donor when we cover the recipient.  We cover donor testing for the actual solid organ donor or up to four bone marrow/stem cell transplant donors in addition to the testing of family members.

Nothing for surgery - $150 copayment per day up to 5 days for inpatient admission

Nothing for surgery - $500 copayment per day up to 3 days for inpatient admission

Not covered:

  • Donor screening tests and donor search expenses, except as shown above
  • Implants of artificial organs
  • Transplants not listed as covered

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : AnesthesiaHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Professional services provided in –

  • Hospital (inpatient)
  • Hospital outpatient department
  • Skilled nursing facility
  • Ambulatory surgical center
  • Office
Nothing after $150 copayment per day up to 5 days for inpatient admission or after $200 copayment for outpatient surgery

Nothing after $500 copayment per day up to 3 days for inpatient admission or after $500 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at a hospital / $200 copayment for outpatient surgery when performed at an ambulatory surgery center




Section 5(c). Services Provided by a Hospital or Other Facility, and Ambulance Services (High and Basic Options)

Important things you should keep in mind about these benefits:

  • Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.
  • Plan physicians must provide or arrange your care and you must be hospitalized in a Plan facility.
  • We have no calendar year deductible.
  • Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services for valuable information about how cost-sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.
  • The amounts listed below are for the charges billed by the facility (i.e., hospital or surgical center) or ambulance service for your surgery or care. Any costs associated with the professional charge (i.e., physicians, etc.) are in Sections 5(a) or (b).



Benefit Description : Inpatient hospitalHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

Room and board, such as

  • Ward, semiprivate, or intensive care accommodations
$150 copayment per day up to 5 days per inpatient admission 

$500 copayment per day up to 3 days per inpatient admission

  • General nursing care
  • Meals and special diets

Note: If you want a private room when it is not medically necessary, you pay the additional charge above the semiprivate room rate.

Nothing

Nothing

Other hospital services and supplies, such as:

  • Operating, recovery, maternity, and other treatment rooms
  • Prescribed drugs and medications
  • Diagnostic laboratory tests and X-rays
  • Administration of blood and blood products
  • Blood or blood plasma, if not donated or replaced
  • Dressings, splints, casts, and sterile tray services
  • Medical supplies and equipment, including oxygen
  • Anesthetics, including nurse anesthetist services
  • Take-home items
  • Medical supplies, appliances, medical equipment, and any covered items billed by a hospital for use at home
Nothing

Nothing

Not covered:

  • Custodial care
  • Non-covered facilities, such as nursing homes, schools
  • Personal comfort items, such as phone, television, barber services, guest meals and beds
  • Private nursing care

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : Outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical centerHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)
  • Operating, recovery, and other treatment rooms
  • Prescribed drugs and medicines
  • Diagnostic laboratory tests, X-rays , and pathology services
  • Administration of blood, blood plasma, and other biologicals
  • Blood and blood plasma , if not donated or replaced
  • Pre-surgical testing
  • Dressings, casts , and sterile tray services
  • Medical supplies, including oxygen
  • Anesthetics and anesthesia service

Note: We cover hospital services and supplies related to dental procedures when necessitated by a non-dental physical impairment. We do not cover the dental procedures.

$200 per outpatient surgery

$500 per outpatient surgery when performed at a hospital / $200 per outpatient surgery when performed at an ambulatory surgery center

Not covered: Blood and blood derivatives not replaced by the memberAll chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : Extended care benefits/Skilled nursing care facility benefitsHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

Extended care/Skilled nursing facility (SNF): Up to 100 days per calendar year for services such as:

  • Bed, board and general nursing care
  • Drugs, biologicals, supplies and equipment ordinarily provided or arranged by the skilled nursing facility when prescribed by a Plan physician
Nothing

Nothing - Days 1-10, $25 per day - Days 11-100

Not covered:  Custodial care and personal comfort items such as phone and television   

All chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : Hospice careHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

Hospice care: Up to 210 days for services such as:

  • Inpatient and outpatient care
  • Family counseling
Note: Hospice care services are provided under the direction of a Plan physician who certifies that the patient is in the terminal stages of illness, with a life expectancy of approximately six months or less
NothingNothing
Not covered: Independent nursing, homemaker servicesAll chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : End of life careHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

The Plan has a comprehensive program for end of life care.  the program makes available

  • Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare
  • Addresses financial counseling
  • Includes legal counseling 
  • Addresses caregiver needs
  • Includes bereavement counseling for many members

Note: This program is based on Medicare guidelines for hospice coverage, and the Plan contracts with open access hospice programs that allow medical services not limited to palliative care.

Nothing

Nothing

Benefit Description : AmbulanceHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)
Local professional ambulance service when medically appropriateNothing

$100 per trip 




Section 5(d). Emergency Services/Accidents (High and Basic Options)

Important things to keep in mind about these benefits:

  • Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.
  • We have no calendar year deductible.
  • Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost-sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.



What is a medical emergency?

A medical emergency is the sudden and unexpected onset of a condition or an injury that you believe endangers your life or could result in serious injury or disability, and requires immediate medical or surgical care. Some problems are emergencies because, if not treated promptly, they might become more serious; examples include deep cuts and broken bones. Others are emergencies because they are potentially life-threatening, such as heart attacks, strokes, poisonings, gunshot wounds, or sudden inability to breathe. An emergency will also include screening, examination and evaluation by a physician (or other healthcare professional acting within the scope of their license) to determine if a psychiatric medical emergency condition exists and the treatment necessary to relieve or eliminate such condition, is within the capability of the facility. There are many other acute conditions that we may determine are medical emergencies – what they all have in common is the need for quick action.




What to do in case of emergency:

Emergencies within our service area:If you are in an emergency situation, contact the local emergency system (i.e., the 911 phone system) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Please call your Participating Physician Group. In extreme emergencies, if you are unable to contact your medical group be sure to tell the emergency room personnel that you are a Health Net of California member so they can notify us at 800-522-0088. You or a family member should notify us within 48 hours, unless it was not reasonably possible to do so. It is your responsibility to ensure that we have been notified in a timely manner.

If you need to be hospitalized, we must be notified within 48 hours or on the first working day following your admission, unless it was not reasonably possible to notify us within that time. If you are hospitalized in a non- Health Net of California facility and Health Net of California doctors believe care can be better provided in a participating hospital, you will be transferred when medically feasible with any ambulance charges covered in full. Benefits are available for care from non- Health Net of California providers in a medical emergency only if delay in reaching a participating provider would result in death, disability or significant jeopardy to your condition.

Any follow-up care recommended by non-Health Net of California providers must be approved by us or provided by our participating providers.

Emergencies outside our service area: Benefits are available for any medically necessary health service that is immediately required because of injury or unforeseen illness. If you need to be hospitalized, the Plan must be notified within 48 hours or on the first working day following your admission, unless it was not reasonably possible to notify the plan within that time. If a Health Net doctor believes care can be better provided by a participating hospital, you will be transferred when medically feasible with any ambulance charges covered in full.

Any follow-up care recommended by non-Health Net of California providers must be approved by us or provided by our participating providers.




Benefit Description : Emergency within our service areaHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Emergency care at a doctor’s office
  • Emergency care at an urgent care center

$20 per visit

 

$40 per visit

  • Emergency care at an emergency room
  • Emergency care as an outpatient or inpatient at a hospital, including doctors’ services
Note: If the emergency results in admission to a hospital, the copay is waived
$100 per visit

$100 per visit

Not covered: Elective care or non-emergency careAll chargesAll charges
Benefit Description : Emergency outside our service areaHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )
  • Emergency care at a doctor’s office
  • Emergency care at an urgent care center
$20 per visit

$40 per visit

  • Emergency care at an emergency room
  • Emergency care as an outpatient or inpatient at a hospital, including doctors’ services
Note: If the emergency results in admission to a hospital, the copay is waived
$100 per visit

$100 per visit 

Not covered:

  • Elective care or non-emergency care
  • Emergency care provided outside the service area if the need for care could have been foreseen before leaving the service area
  • Follow-up care not authorized by your participating physician group

 

All charges

 

All charges

Benefit Description : AmbulanceHigh Option (You pay )Basic Option (You pay )

Professional ground and air ambulance service when medically appropriate.

Note: See 5(c) for non-emergency service.
Nothing

$100 copay per trip




Section 5(e). Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits (High and Basic Options)

Important things to keep in mind about these benefits:

Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

We do not have a calendar year deductible.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost -sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

• All services must be Medically Necessary.  We will provide medical review criteria or reasons for treatment plan denials to enrollees, members or providers upon request or as otherwise required.  

OPM will base its review of disputes about treatment plans on the treatment plan’s clinical appropriateness. OPM will generally not order us to pay or provide one clinically appropriate treatment plan in favor of another.




Benefit Description : Professional servicesHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

If we approve part or all of a treatment plan, we cover professional services by licensed professional mental health and substance use disorder treatment practitioners as long as they act within the scope of their license.  This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

Your cost-sharing responsibilities are no greater than for other illnesses or conditionsYour cost-sharing responsibilities are no greater than for other illnesses or conditions

Diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions, mental illness, or mental disorders.  Services include:

  • Diagnostic evaluation
  • Crisis intervention and stabilization for acute episodes
  • Medication evaluation and management
  • Psychological and neuropsychological testing when necessary to determine the appropriate psychiatric treatment
  • Treatment and counseling (including individual or group therapy visits)
  • Diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders, including detoxification, treatment and counseling by licensed practitioners. 
  • Professional charges for intensive outpatient treatment in a provider’s office or other professional setting
  • Electroconvulsive therapy
$20 per visit   

$40 per visit

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for autism spectrum disorderNothingNothing
Benefit Description : DiagnosticsHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)
  • Outpatient diagnostic tests provided and billed by a licensed mental health and substance use disorder treatment practitioner
$20 per visit    

$40 per visit 

  • Outpatient diagnostic tests provided and billed by a laboratory, hospital or other covered facility

No charge for laboratory, X-ray and other diagnostic tests.

See Section 5(c) for facility charges

No charge for laboratory, X-ray and other diagnostic tests.

See Section 5(c) for facility charges

  • Inpatient diagnostic tests provided and billed by a hospital or other covered facility
$150 per day up to 5 days per admission

$500 per day up to 3 days per admission

Benefit Description : Inpatient hospital or other covered facilityHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

Inpatient services provided and billed by a hospital or other covered facility

  • Room and board, such as semiprivate or intensive accommodations, general nursing care, meals and special diets, and other hospital services
$150 per day up to 5 days per admission

$500 per day up to 3 days per admission

Benefit Description : Outpatient hospital or other covered facilityHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

Outpatient services provided and billed by a hospital or other covered facility

  • Services in approved treatment programs, such as partial hospitalization, half-way house, residential treatment, full-day hospitalization, or facility-based intensive outpatient treatment
$150 per day up to 5 days per admission

$500 per day up to 3 days per admission




TermDefinition

Preauthorization

The Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder benefits are administered by MHN Services, an affiliate behavioral health administrative services company (the Behavioral Health Administrator) which contracts with Health Net to administer these benefits. When you need to see a Participating Mental Health Professional, contact the Behavioral Health Administrator by calling the Health Net Customer Contact Center at the phone number on your Health Net I.D. card.

Certain services and supplies for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder require prior authorization by the Behavioral Health Administrator to be covered. The services and supplies that require prior authorization are:

  • Outpatient procedures that are not part of an office visit (for example: psychological and neuropsychological testing, outpatient electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), outpatient detoxification, partial hospitalization, day treatment, half-day partial hospitalization and 23-hour outpatient observation; and
  • Inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, inpatient ECT, Inpatient psychological and neuropsychological testing and;
  • Behavioral health treatment for Autism (see below under “Outpatient Services”).

No prior authorization is required for outpatient office visits.

We will provide medical review criteria or reasons for treatment plan denials to enrollees, members or providers upon request or as otherwise required.

OPM will base its review of disputes about treatment plans on the treatment plan's clinical appropriateness.  OPM will generally not order us to pay or provide one clinically appropriate treatment plan in favor of another.




Section 5(f). Prescription Drug Benefits (High and Basic Options)

Important things to keep in mind about these benefits:

  • We cover prescribed drugs and medications, as described in the chart beginning on page 65.
  • Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.
  • Members must make sure their prescribers obtain prior approval/authorizations for certain prescription drugs and supplies before coverage applies.  Prior approval/authorizations must be renewed periodically.
  • Federal law prevents the pharmacy from accepting unused medications.
  • We do not have a calendar year deductible.
  • Some formulary and non-formulary drugs require prior authorization from us. Contact us at 800-522-0088 to find out if your medication requires it and for information on what your physician must do to obtain prior authorization.
  • Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost-sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.
  • Covered preventive drugs including statin (low to moderate-dose) when prescribed to adults age 40-75 years who meet all 3 of the following criteria:
    -Do not have a history of cardiovascular disease (e.g., symptomatic CVD or ischemic stroke)
    -Have one or more CVD risk factors (e.g., dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension or smoking)
    -Have a calculated 10-year risk of a cardiovascular event of 10% or greater



There are important features you should be aware of. These include:

  • Who can write your prescription. A licensed physician or dentist, and in states allowing it, licensed/ certified providers with prescriptive authority prescribing within their scope of practice must prescribe your medication.
  • Where you can obtain them. You must fill the prescription at a plan pharmacy, or by mail if a maintenance medication.  It may be required to obtain Specialty Drugs from a Specialty Pharmacy.
  • We use a formulary. A formulary is the approved list of drugs that are covered. It identifies whether a generic version of a brand name drug exists, and if prior authorization is required. Drugs that are not excluded or limited from coverage are also covered and are considered non-formulary drugs. Non-formulary drugs require a higher copayment.

You can get a copy of the formulary by calling us at 800-522-0088 or visit our web site at www.healthnet.com/fehb.

 If your physician believes a name brand product is necessary or there is no generic available, your physician may prescribe a name drug from a formulary list. This list of name brand drugs is a preferred list of drugs that we selected to meet patient needs at a lower cost.

  • These are the dispensing limitations.
  • When the prescription drug is filled at a Plan pharmacy: The pharmacy may dispense up to a 30-day supply for each drug or for each refill at the appropriate time interval.
  • When the prescription drug is filled through the mail order program, the mail order pharmacy may dispense up to a 90-day supply for each medication drug or refill allowed by the prescription at the appropriate time interval.

If you send in an order too soon after the last one was filled, you will get a notice from the pharmacy indicating that it is too early to fill the prescription and when the next fill is available.

  • If a member requires an interim supply of medication due to an active military duty assignment or if there is a national emergency, call us at 800-522-0088 for immediate assistance

Mail order is for the dispensing of chronic medications that your physician has already approved for long-term use. Not all drugs are available via mail order, such as

  • Drugs requiring immediate use that the delay in obtaining such drugs would interfere with the physician’s treatment plan

Drugs requiring detailed instruction which cannot be provided by the mail order pharmacy compared to a retail pharmacist at the time the prescription is filled.

  • A generic equivalent will be dispensed if it is available, unless your physician specifically requires a name brand. If you receive a name brand drug when a Federally-approved generic drug is available, and your physician has not specified Dispense as Written for the name brand drug, you have to pay the difference in cost between the name brand drug and the generic.

The prescribed supply may not always be an appropriate drug treatment plan, according to the FDA or our usage guidelines. If this is the case, the amount of medication dispensed may be reduced.

If there is no generic equivalent available, you will still have to pay the brand name copayment.

  • Why use generic drugs? Generic drugs are lower-priced drugs that are the therapeutic equivalent to more expensive brand-name drugs. They must contain the same active ingredients and must be equivalent in strength and dosage to the original brand-name product. Generics cost less than the equivalent brand-name product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets quality standards for generic drugs to ensure that these drugs meet the same standards of quality and strength as brand-name drugs.

Some formulary, non-formulary and specialty drugs may require prior authorization from us to be covered.  If a drug does require a prior authorization, it is noted on the Drug List with a PA.  You can ask your doctor to contact Health Net to request coverage for the prescribed medication.  Compounded drugs (that use FDA approved drugs for an FDA approved indication) and that are not commercially available are covered.  Coverage for compounded drugs is subject to prior authorization and medical necessity.

When you do have to file a claim. In most cases you do not have to file a claim when purchasing drugs at the Plan pharmacy. However, you must pay for the drug when it is dispensed, and file a claim for reimbursement when the following occurs:

  • Your Plan ID card is not available.
  • Eligibility cannot be determined.
  • The prescription drug is dispensed outside of California for a medical emergency.

For claims questions and assistance, or to request a prescription drug claim form or mail order request form, call us at 800-522-0088.




Benefit Description : Covered medications and suppliesHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

We cover the following medications and supplies prescribed by a Plan physician and obtained from a Plan pharmacy or through our mail order program:

  • Drugs and medicines that by Federal law of the United States require a physician’s prescription for their purchase, except those listed as Not covered.
  • Insulin
  • Diabetic supplies limited to (specific brands apply):
    • blood glucose monitoring strips, Ketone test strips and lancet
    • Disposable needles and syringes for the administration of covered medications
  • Drugs for sexual dysfunction (see limits listed in the Drug List)
  • Drugs to treat gender dysphoria

For Health Net’s full policy on gender affirming procedures, please visit www.healthnet.com/content/healthnet/en_us/providers/working-with-hn/medical_policies.html#clinical_practice_guidelines

For drugs filled at a Plan pharmacy:

$10 for generic drugs

$35 for brand drugs

$60 for non-formulary drugs

20% to a maximum of $200 per prescription for specialty drugs

 

 

For drugs filled through the mail order program:

$20 for generic drugs

$70 for brand drugs

$120 for non-formulary drugs

Note: If there is no generic equivalent available, you will still have to pay the brand name copay

For drugs filled at a Plan pharmacy:

$15 for generic drugs

$30 for brand drugs

$50 for non-formulary drugs

20% to a maximum of $200 per prescription for specialty drugs

 

 

For drugs filled through the mail order program:

$30 for generic drugs

$60 for brand drugs

$100 for non-formulary drugs

Note: If there is no generic equivalent available, you will still have to pay the brand name copay

Women's contraceptive drugs and devices  

Note: The "morning after pill" is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive drug. It is considered a preventive service under contraceptives, with no cost to the member if prescribed by a physician and purchased at a network pharmacy.

Not covered

  • Drugs and supplies for cosmetic purposes
  • Drugs to enhance athletic performance
  • Fertility drugs (for non-covered fertility services)
  • Drugs obtained at a non-Plan pharmacy; except for out-of-area emergencies 
  • Nonprescription medications

NOTE: Over-the-counter and appropriate prescription drugs approved by the FDA to treat tobacco dependence are covered under the Tobacco cessation benefit. (See page 42)

No charge

No charge

Limited benefits:

  • Drugs for sexual dysfunction are limited to 2 doses per week or 8 tablets per month

Fertility drugs associated with covered services under the diagnosis and treatment of infertility are covered services under the diagnosis and treatment of infertility are covered under the Medical Services and Supplies Benefits (see page 35).

50% of charges50% of charges
Benefit Description : Preventive care medicationsHigh Option (You pay)Basic Option (You pay)

Medications to promote better health as recommended by ACA.

The following drugs and supplements are covered without cost-share, even if over-the-counter, when prescribed by a healthcare professional and filled at a network pharmacy.

  • Aspirin ( 81 mg) for men age 45-79 and women age 55-79 and women of childbearing age
  • Folic acid supplements for women of childbearing age 400 & 800 mcg
  • Liquid iron supplements for children age 6 months - 1 year
  • Vitamin D supplements (prescription strength) (400 & 1000 units) for members 65 or older
  • Fluoride tablets, solution ( not toothpaste, rinses) for children age 0-6

Note: To receive this benefit a prescription from a doctor must be presented to pharmacy.

NothingNothing

Not covered:

  • Drugs and supplies for cosmetic purposes
  • Drugs with no FDA approved indications
  • Medical supplies such as dressings and antiseptics
  • Vitamins, nutrients, and food supplements not listed as a covered benefit even if a physician prescribes or administers them.
  • Drugs available without a prescription or for which there is a nonprescription equivalent
  • Drugs to enhance athletic performance
  • Injectable Fertility Drugs
  • Drugs obtained at a non-Plan pharmacy; except for out-of-area emergencies
  • Anorectics (appetite suppressants), except for treatment of morbid obesity
  • Non-prescription medications                                             

Note:  Over-the-counter and appropriate prescription drugs approved by the FDA to treat tobacco dependence are covered under the Tobacco cessation benefit. (See page 42)

All chargesAll charges



Section 5(g). Dental Benefits (High and Basic Options)

Important things to keep in mind about these benefits:

  • Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary
  • Plan dentists must provide or arrange your care.
  • We have no calendar year deductible.
  • We cover hospitalization for dental procedures only when a non-dental physical impairment exists which makes hospitalization necessary to safeguard the health of the patient. See Section 5(c) for inpatient hospital benefits. We do not cover the dental procedure unless it is described below.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost-sharing works. Also, read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.




Benefit Description : Accidental injury benefit High Option (You Pay)Basic Option (You Pay)
We cover restorative services and supplies necessary to promptly repair (but not replace) sound natural teeth. The need for these services must result from an accidental injury.$20 copay at the PCP's office, $30 at the specialist's office and a $100 copayment at the emergency room

$40 per office visit and a $100 copayment at the emergency room

Benefit Description : Dental benefits High Option (You Pay)Basic Option (You Pay)
Dental examinations and treatment of the gingival tissues (gums) when performed for the diagnosis or treatment of a tumor.$20 per PCP office visit, $30 per specialist visit

$40 per office visit 

Not covered:

Other dental services not shown as covered

 

All charges

 

All charges




Section 5(h). Wellness and Other Special Features (High and Basic Options)

TermDefinition
Flexible benefits option

Under the flexible benefits option, we determine the most effective way to provide services.

  • We may identify medically appropriate alternatives to regular contract benefits as a less costly alternative. If we identify a less costly alternative, we will ask you to sign an alternative benefits agreement that will include all of the following terms in addition to other terms as necessary.  Until you sign and return the agreement, regular contract benefits will continue.
  • Alternative benefits will be made available for a limited time period and are subject to our ongoing review.  You must cooperate with the review process.
  • By approving an alternative benefit, we do not guarantee you will get it in the future.
  • The decision to offer an alternative benefit is solely ours, and except as expressly provided in the agreement, we may withdraw it at any time and resume regular contract benefits.
  • If you sign the agreement, we will provide the agreed-upon alternative benefits for the stated time period (unless circumstances change).  You may request an extension of the time period, but regular contract benefits will resume if we do not approve your request.
  • Our decision to offer or withdraw alternative benefits is not subject to OPM review under the disputed claims process.  However, if at the time we make a decision regarding alternative benefits, we also decide that regular contract benefits are not payable, then you may dispute our regular contract benefits decision under the OPM disputed claim process (See Section 8).
Services for deaf and hearing impaired

Please contact our Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-995-0852.

Centers of Excellence For organ and tissue transplants, we contract with premier transplant centers of excellence in Northern, Southern and Central California that have established their superior ability to perform certain transplant procedures. Your participating physician group will work with you to find the best center for your condition.

Decision Power

Decision Power addresses the health needs of the whole person - from wellness health coaching to chronic condition management to chronic case management. The member chooses how and when to use the information, resources and support available.

Members can take a Health Risk Questionnaire (HRQ) to identify potential health risks, create an action plan for improving health and measure how lifestyle changes will impact overall health. Experienced nurses are available 24/7 through the Nurse Advice Line  to help you with your health related questions and guide you through next steps with your immediate care.

Quality and cost tools such as Hospital and Medical Group Comparison Reports or Treatment Cost Estimators help ensure the care members receive is the right care for them. To get more information on The Decision Power Health and Wellness Programs, members can call the Customer Service number found on the back of the Health Net member ID card or go to www.healthnet.com/fehb and click on "Wellness Center" Decision Power.

Active & Fit Direct program

Active and Fit Direct program offers fitness center membership to 11,000+ fitness centers nationwide for just $25 a month (plus a one time $25 enrollment fee).  For more information, please visit our website at www.healthnet.com/fehb or contact us at 800-522-0088.




Non-FEHB Benefits Available to Plan Members

The benefits on this page are not part of the FEHB contract or premium, and you cannot file an FEHB disputed claim about them. Fees you pay for these services do not count toward FEHB deductibles or catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximums.  These programs and materials are the responsibility of the Plan, and all appeals must follow their guidelines.  For additional information contact the Plan at 800-522-0088 or visit the website at www.healthnet.com/fehb.




TermDefinition
Medicare Prepaid Plan EnrollmentThis Plan offers Medicare recipients the opportunity to enroll in the Plan (Health Net Seniority Plus program) through Medicare. Annuitants and former spouses with FEHB coverage and Medicare Part B may elect to drop their FEHB coverage and enroll in a Medicare prepaid plan when one is available in their area. They may then later reenroll in the FEHB Program. Most Federal annuitants have Medicare Part A. Those without Medicare Part A may join Health Net Seniority Plus but will have to pay for Medicare Part A in addition to the Part B premium. Before you join the plan, ask whether the plan covers hospital benefits and, if so, what you will have to pay. Contact your retirement system for information on dropping your FEHB enrollment and changing to a Medicare prepaid plan. Contact us at 800-596-6565 for information on the Health Net Seniority Plus Medicare prepaid plan and the cost of that enrollment. If you are eligible for Medicare and are interested in enrolling in a Medicare HMO sponsored by Health Net of California without dropping your enrollment in Health Net’s FEHB plan, call 800-596-6565 for information on the benefits available under the Medicare HMO.

Individual Plans for Domestic Partners

Health Net has affordable healthcare plans members can depend on. We offer a wide range of competitively-priced plans with the benefits your dependents are looking for. Members can also take advantage of our Wellness Center® a free series of tools and services to help you manage and support your well-being.

For more information on Health Net Individual and Family plans go to www.healthnet.com and click on Shoppers or call Health Net at 800-909-3447.




Section 6. General Exclusions - Services, Drugs and Supplies We Do Not Cover

The exclusions in this section apply to all benefits.  There may be other exclusions and limitations listed in Section 5 of this brochure.  Although we may list a specific service as a benefit, we will not cover it unless it is medically necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat your illness, disease, injury, or condition.  For information on obtaining prior approval for specific services, such as transplants, see Section 3 When you need prior Plan approval for certain services.

We do not cover the following:

  • Care by non-Plan providers except for authorized referrals or emergencies (see Emergency services/accidents).
  • Extra care costs associated with clinical trials.
  • Services, drugs, or supplies you receive while you are not enrolled in this Plan.
  • Services, drugs, or supplies not medically necessary.
  • Services, drugs, or supplies not required according to accepted standards of medical, dental, or psychiatric practice.
  • Experimental or investigational procedures, treatments, drugs or devices (see specifics regarding transplants).
  • Services, drugs, or supplies related to abortions, except when the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or when the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.
  • Services, drugs, or supplies you receive from a provider or facility barred from the FEHB Program.
  • Services, drugs, or supplies you receive without charge while in active military service.
  • Services or supplies we are prohibited from covering under the Federal law.



Section 7. Filing a Claim for Covered Services

This Section primarily deals with post-service claims (claims for services, drugs or supplies you have already received).  See Section 3 for information on pre-service claims procedures (services, drugs or supplies requiring prior Plan approval), including urgent care claims procedures.  When you see Plan providers, receive services at Plan hospitals and facilities, or obtain your prescription drugs at Plan pharmacies, you will not have to file claims. Just present your identification card and pay your copayment or coinsurance.

You will only need to file a claim when you receive emergency services from non-plan providers. Sometimes these providers bill us directly. Check with the provider. If you need to file the claim, here is the process:




TermDefinition

Medical and hospital benefits

In most cases, providers and facilities file claims for you. Providers must file on the form CMS-1500, Health Insurance Claim Form. Your facility will file on the UB-04 form. For claims questions and assistance, contact us at 800-522-0088, or at our Website www.healthnet.com/fehb.

When you must file a claim – such as for services you receive outside the Plan’s service area – submit it on the CMS-1500 or a claim form that includes the information shown below. Bills and receipts should be itemized and show:

 

  • Covered member’s name, date of birth, address, phone number and ID number  
  • Name and address of the provider or facility that provided the service or supply  
  • Dates you received the services or supplies
  • Diagnosis  
  • Type of each service or supply 
  • The charge for each service or supply 
  • A copy of the explanation of benefits, payments, or denial from any primary payor – such as the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) 
  • Receipts, if you paid for your services

Note:  Canceled checks, cash register receipts, or balance due statements are not acceptable substitutes for itemized bills.

Submit your claims to:

Health Net of California, Commercial Claims, P.O. Box 9040, Farmington, MO 63640-9040

Prescription drugs

When you purchase a prescription drug, and your Plan ID card is not available, eligibility cannot be determined, or the prescription is for a medical emergency outside of California, you must pay for the drug when it is dispensed, and file a claim for reimbursement. For claims questions and assistance, or to request a prescription drug claim form call us at 800-522-0088.

Deadline for filing your claim

Send us all of the documents for your claim as soon as possible. You must submit the claim by December 31 of the year after the year you received the service, unless timely filing was prevented by administrative operations of Government or legal incapacity, provided the claim was submitted as soon as reasonably possible.

Post-service claim procedures

We will notify you of our decision within 30 days after we receive your post-service claim.  If matters beyond our control require an extension of time, we may take an additional 15 days for review and we will notify you before the expiration of the original 30-day period.  Our notice will include the circumstances underlying the request for the extension and the date when a decision is expected.

If we need an extension because we have not received necessary information from you, our notice will describe the specific information required and we will allow you up to 60 days from the receipt of the notice to provide the information.

If you do not agree with our initial decision, you may ask us to review it by following the disputed claims processed in Section 8 of this brochure.

Authorized Representative

You may designate an authorized representative to act on your behalf for filing a claim or to appeal claims decisions to us.  For urgent care claims, a healthcare professional with knowledge of your medical condition will be permitted to act as your authorized representative without your express consent.  For the purposes of this section, we are also referring to your authorized representative when we refer to you.

Notice Requirements

If you live in a county where at least 10 percent of the population is literate only in a non-English language (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services), we will provide language assistance in that non-English language.  You can request a copy of your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement, related correspondence, oral language services (such as phone customer assistance), and help with filing claims and appeals (including external reviews) in the applicable non-English language.  The English versions of your EOBs and related correspondence will include information in the non-English language about how to access language services in that non-English language.

Any notice of an adverse benefit determination or correspondence from us confirming an adverse benefit determination will include information sufficient to identify the claim involved (including the date of service, the healthcare provider, and the claim amount, if applicable), and a statement describing the availability, upon request, of the diagnosis and procedure codes.




Section 8. The Disputed Claims Process

You may appeal directly to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) if we do not follow the required claims processes.  For more information about situations in which you are entitled to immediately appeal to OPM, including additional requirements not listed in Sections 3, 7 and 8 of this brochure, please call your plan's customer service representative at the phone number found on your enrollment card, plan brochure, or plan website. 

Please follow this Federal Employees Health Benefits Program disputed claims process if you disagree with our decision on your post-service claim (a claim where services, drugs or supplies have already been provided).  In Section 3 If you disagree with our pre-service claim decision, we describe the process you need to follow if you have a claim for services, referrals, drugs or supplies that must have prior Plan approval, such as inpatient admissions.

To help you prepare your appeal, you may arrange with us to review and copy, free of charge, all relevant materials and Plan documents under our control relating to your claim, including those that involve any expert review(s) of your claim.  To make your request, please contact our Appeals and Grievance Department by writing to P.O. Box 10348, Van Nuys, CA 91410-0348 or calling 800-522-0088.

Our reconsideration will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by you relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

When our initial decision is based (in whole or in part) on a medical judgment (i.e., medical necessity, experimental/investigational), we will consult with a healthcare professional who has appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine involved in the medical judgment and who was not involved in making the initial decision.

Our reconsideration will not take into account the initial decision.  The review will not be conducted by the same person, or their subordinate, who made the initial decision.

We will not make our decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as claims adjudicator or medical expert) based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.




StepDescription
1

Ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision. You must:

         a) Write to us within 6 months from the date of our decision; and

         b) Send your request to us at: Health Net of California, P.O. Box 10348, Van Nuys, CA 91410-0348; and

         c) Include a statement about why you believe our initial decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure; and

         d) Include copies of documents that support your claim, such as physicians' letters, operative reports, bills, medical records, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms.

         e) Include your email address (optional for member), if you would like to receive our decision via email.  Please note that by giving us your email, we may be able to provide our decision more quickly.

    We will provide you, free of charge and in a timely manner, with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by us or at our direction in connection with your claim and any new rationale for our claim decision.  We will provide you with this information sufficiently in advance of the date that we are required to provide you with our reconsideration decision to allow you a reasonable opportunity to respond to us before that date.  However, our failure to provide you with new evidence or rationale in a sufficient time to allow you to timely respond shall not invalidate our decision on reconsideration.  You may respond to that new evidence or rationale at the OPM review stage described in step 4.

        

    2

    In the case of a post-service claim, we have 30 days from the date we receive your request to:

       

       a) Pay the claim or

       b) Write to you and maintain our denial or

       c) Ask you or your provider for more information

    You or your provider must send the information so that we receive it within 60 days of our request.  We will then decide within 30 more days.

    If we do not receive the information within 60 days we will decide within 30 days of the date the information was due.  We will base our decision on the information we already have.  We will write to you with our decision.

     

    3

    If you do not agree with our decision, you may ask OPM to review it.

    You must write to OPM within:

    • 90 days after the date of our letter upholding our inital decision; or
    • 120 days after you first wrote to us - - if we did not answer that request in some way within 30 days; or
    • 120 days after we asked for additional information.

    Write to OPM at:  United States Office of Personnel Management, Healthcare and Insurance, Federal Employee Insurance Operations, FEHB 3, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-3630.

    Send OPM the following information:

    • A statement about why you believe our decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure;
    • Copies of documents that support your claim, such as physicians' letters, operative reports, bills, medical records, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms;
    • Copies of all letters you sent to us about the claim;
    • Copies of all letters we sent to you about the claim; and
    • Your daytime phone number and the best time to call.
    • Your email address, if you would like to receive OPM's decision via email.  Please note that by providing your email address, you may receive OPM's decision more quickly.

    Note:  If you want OPM to review more than one claim, you must clearly identify which documents apply to which claim.

    Note:  You are the only person who has a right to file a disputed claim with OPM.  Parties acting as your representative, such as medical providers, must include a copy of your specific written consent with the review request.  However, for urgent care claims, a healthcare professional with knowledge of your medical condition may act as your authorized representative without your express consent.

    Note:  The above deadlines may be extended if you show that you were unable to meet the deadline because of reasons beyond your control.

    4

    OPM will review your disputed claim request and will use the information it collects from you and us to decide whether our decision is correct.  OPM will send you a final decision within 60 days.  There are no other administrative appeals.

    If you do not agree with OPM's decision, your only recourse is to sue.  If you decide to file a lawsuit, you must file the suit against OPM in Federal court by December 31 of the third year after the year in which you received the disputed services, drugs or supplies or from the year in which you were denied precertification or prior approval.  This is the only deadline that may not be extended.

    OPM may disclose the information it collects during the review proces to support their disputed claim decision.  This information will become part of the court record.

    You may not file a lawsuit until you have completed the disputed claims process.  Further, Federal law governs your lawsuit, benefits, and payment of benefits.  The Federal court will base its review on the record that was before OPM when OPM decided to uphold or overturn our decision.  You may recover only the amount of benefits in dispute.

     




    Note: If you have a serious or life threatening condition (one that may cause permanent loss of bodily functions or death if not treated as soon as possible), and you did not indicate that your claim was a claim for urgent care, then call us at 800-522-0088.  We will expedite our review (if we have not yet responded to your claim); or we will inform OPM so they can quickly review your claim on appeal.  You may call OPM's FEHB 3 at 202-606-0737 between 8 am and 5 pm Eastern Time.

    Please remember that we do not make decisions about plan eligibility issues.  For example, we do not determine whether you or a dependent is covered under this plan.  You must raise eligibility issues with your Agency personnel/payroll office if you are an employee, your retirement system if you are an annuitant or the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs if you are receiving Workers' Compensation benefits.

      




    Section 9. Coordinating Benefits with Medicare and Other Coverage

    TermDefinition

    When you have other health coverage

    You must tell us if you or a covered family member has coverage under any other health plan or has automobile insurance that pays healthcare expenses without regard to fault. This is called “double coverage.”

    When you have double coverage, one plan normally pays its benefits in full as the primary payor and the other plan pays a reduced benefit as the secondary payor. We, like other insurers, determine which coverage is primary according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) guidelines. For more information on NAIC rules regarding the coordinating of benefits, visit our website at www.healthnet.com/fehb.

    When we are the primary payor, we will pay the benefits described in this brochure.

    When we are the secondary payor, we will determine our allowance. After the primary plan pays, we will pay what is left of our allowance, up to our regular benefit. We will not pay more than our allowance.

    TRICARE and CHAMPVA

    TRICARE is the healthcare program for eligible dependents of military persons, and retirees of the military. TRICARE includes the CHAMPUS program. CHAMPVA provides health coverage to disabled Veterans and their eligible dependents. IF TRICARE or CHAMPVA and this Plan cover you, we pay first. See your TRICARE or CHAMPVA Health Benefits Advisor if you have questions about these programs.

    Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in TRICARE or CHAMPVA: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in one of these programs, eliminating your FEHB premium. (OPM does not contribute to any applicable plan premiums.) For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage under TRICARE or CHAMPVA.

    Workers’ Compensation

    We do not cover services that:

    • You (or a covered family member) need because of a workplace-related illness or injury that the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) or a similar federal or state agency determines they must provide; or
    • OWCP or a similar agency pays for through a third-party injury settlement or other similar proceeding that is based on a claim you filed under OWCP or similar laws.

    Once OWCP or similar agency pays its maximum benefits for your treatment, we will cover your care.

    Medicaid

    When you have this Plan and Medicaid, we pay first.

    Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in Medicaid or a similar state-sponsored program of medical assistance: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in one of these state programs, eliminating your FEHB premium. For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage under the state program.

    When other Government agencies are responsible for your care

    We do not cover services and supplies when a local, state, or federal government agency directly or indirectly pays for them.

    When others are responsible for injuries

    Our right to pursue and receive subrogation and reimbursement recoveries is a condition of, and a limitation on, the nature of benefits or benefit payments and on the provision of benefits under our coverage.

    If you have received benefits or benefit payments as a result of an injury or illness and you or your representatives, heirs, administrators, successors, or assignees receive payment from any party that may be liable, a third party’s insurance policies, your own insurance policies, or a workers’ compensation program or policy, you must reimburse us out of that payment.  Our right of reimbursement extends to any payment received by settlement, judgment, or otherwise.

    We are entitled to reimbursement to the extent of the benefits we have paid or provided in connection with your injury or illness.  However, we will cover the cost of treatment that exceeds the amount of the payment you received.

    Reimbursement to us out of the payment shall take first priority (before any of the rights of any other parties are honored) and is not impacted by how the judgment, settlement, or other recovery is characterized, designated, or apportioned.  Our right of reimbursement is not subject to reduction based on attorney fees or costs under the “common fund” doctrine and is fully enforceable regardless of whether you are “made whole” or fully compensated for the full amount of damages claimed.

    We may, at our option, choose to exercise our right of subrogation and pursue a recovery from any liable party as successor to your rights.

    If you do pursue a claim or case related to your injury or illness, you must promptly notify us and cooperate with our reimbursement or subrogation efforts.

    When you have Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Plan (FEDVIP) coverage

    Some FEHB plans already cover some dental and vision services.  When you are covered by more than one vision/dental plan, coverage provided under your FEHB plan remains as your primary coverage.  FEDVIP coverage pays secondary to that coverage.  When you enroll in a dental and/or vision plan on BENEFEDS.com or by phone at 877-888-3337, (TTY 877-889-5680), you will be asked to provide information on your FEHB plan so that your plans can coordinate benefits.  Providing your FEHB information may reduce your out-of-pocket cost.

    Clinical Trials

    An approved clinical trial includes a phase I, phase II, phase III, or phase IV clinical trial that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition and is either Federally funded; conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or is a drug trial that is exempt from the requirement of an investigational new drug application.

    If you are a participant in a clinical trial, this health plan will provide related care as follows, if it is not provided by the clinical trial:

    • Routine care costs - costs for routine services such as doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays and scans, and hospitalizations related to treating the patient's condition, whether the patient is in a clinical trial or is receiving standard therapy. 
    • Extra care costs - costs related to taking part in a clinical trial such as additional tests that a patient may need as part of the trial, but not as part of the patient's routine care.  This plan does not cover these costs.
    • Research costs - costs related to conducting the clinical trial such as research physician and nurse time, analysis of results, and clinical tests performed only for research purposes.  These costs are generally covered by the clinical trials.  This plan does not cover these costs.



    TermDefinition

    When you have Medicare

    For more detailed information on “What is Medicare?” and “Should I Enroll in Medicare?” please contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or at www.medicare.gov.

    • The Original Medicare Plan (Part A or Part B)

    The Original Medicare Plan (Original Medicare) is available everywhere in the United States. It is the way everyone used to get Medicare benefits and is the way most people get their Medicare Part A and Part B benefits now. You may go to any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare. The Original Medicare Plan pays its share and you pay your share.

    All physicians and other providers are required by law to file claims directly to Medicare for members with Medicare Part B, when Medicare is primary.  This is true whether or not they accept Medicare.

    When you are enrolled in Original Medicare along with this Plan, you still need to follow the rules in this brochure for us to cover your care. Your care must continue to be authorized by your Plan physician.

    Claims process when you have the Original Medicare Plan – You will probably not need to file a claim form when you have both our Plan and the Original Medicare Plan.

    When we are the primary payor, we process the claim first.

    When Original Medicare is the primary payor, Medicare processes your claim first. In most cases, your claim will be coordinated automatically and we will then provide secondary benefits for covered charges. You will not need to do anything. To find out if you need to do something to file your claim, call us at 800-522-0088 or see our website at www.healthnet.com/fehb.

    We do not waive any costs on the High Option if the Original Medicare Plan is your primary payor:

    Deductible
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): N/A - No deductible

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option):  N/A - No deductible 

    Out-of-Pocket Maximum
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $1,500 Self Only/$3,000 Self Plus One/$4,500 Self and Family

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option): $1,500 Self Only/$3,000 Self Plus One/$4,500 Self and Family

    Part B Premium Reimbursement Offered 
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): N/A 

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option):  N/A


    Primary Care Physician
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $20 copay

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option): $20 copay

    Specialist
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $30 copay

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option): $30 copay


    Inpatient Hospital
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $150/per day (5 day max copay)

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option):  $150/per day (5 day max copay)

    Outpatient Surgery - Hospital
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $200 copay

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option):  $200 copay

    Incentives Offered 
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): N/A 

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (High Option): N/A


    We waive some costs on the Basic Option Plan if the Original Medicare Plan is your primary Payor and you are a U.S. resident - We will waive some out-of-pocket costs as follows:

    Please review the following table it illustrates your cost share if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you purchase Medicare Part B, your provider is in our network and participates in Medicare, then we waive some costs because Medicare will be the primary payor.

    Deductible
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): N/A - No deductible

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option):  N/A - No deductible

    Out-of-Pocket Maximum
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): $3,500 Self Only/$7,000 Self Plus One/$7,000 Self Plus Family

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option): $3,500 Self Only/$7,000 Self Plus One/$7,000 Self Plus Family

    Part B Premium Reimbursement Offered 
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): N/A 

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option):  N/A

    Primary Care Physician
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): $40 copay

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option): $0 copay

    Specialist
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): $40 copay

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option): $0 copay

    Inpatient Hospital
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): $500/ per day (3 day max copay)

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option):  $0 copay

    Outpatient Surgery - Hospital
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): $500 copay when performed at a hospital/ $200 copay when performed at an ambulatory surgery center

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option):  $0 copay

    Incentives Offered 
    You pay without Medicare- (Basic Option): N/A 

    You pay with Medicare Part B - (Basic Option): N/A 

    • Tell us about your Medicare coverage
    You must tell us if you or a covered family member has Medicare coverage, and let us obtain information about services denied or paid under Medicare if we ask.  You must also tell us about other coverage you or your covered family members may have, as this coverage may affect the primary/secondary status of this Plan and Medicare.
    • Medicare Advantage (Part C)

    If you are eligible for Medicare, you may choose to enroll in and get your Medicare benefit from a Medicare Advantage plan. These are private healthcare choices (like HMOs and regional PPOs) in some areas of the country. To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or at www.medicare.gov.

    If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan the following options are available to you:

     
    This Plan and our Medicare Advantage plan:

    We offer a plan that will offer lower office visit copayments, urgent care and emergency care, plus additional coverage for additional benefits such as dental and the Silver and Fit Fitness program. You may enroll in the plan if:


    • You enroll in the Plan’s High Option
    • You enroll in Seniority Plus for Federal Members
    • The FEHB subscriber completes an additional application for enrollment in Seniority
    Plus


    For more information on our Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus, please contact us at 800-275-4737.

    Deductible
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): N/A - No deductible
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: N/A - No deductible

    Out-of-Pocket Maximum
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $1,500 Self Only/$3,000 Self Plus One/$4,500 Self and Family
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: $3,400 for Self Only

    Part B Premium Reimbursement Offered
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): N/A
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: No

    Primary Care Physician
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $20 copay
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: $5 copay

    Specialist
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $30 copay
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: $5 copay

    Inpatient Hospital
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $150/per day (5 day max copay)
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: $0 copay

    Outpatient Surgery - Hospital
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): $200 copay
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: $0 copay

    Incentives Offered
    You pay without Medicare- (High Option): N/A
    You pay with Health Net Medicare Advantage Seniority Plus: This plan includes Dental and Vision benefits. It also offers Silver and Fit Fitness program at no cost to you.

    This Plan and another Plan’s Medicare Advantage plan:
    You may enroll in another plan’s Medicare Advantage plan and also remain enrolled in our FEHB plan. We will still provide benefits when your Medicare Advantage plan is primary, even out of the Medicare Advantage plan’s network and/or service area (if you use our Plan providers). However, we will not waive any of our copayments or coinsurance. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, tell us. We will need to know whether you are in the Original Medicare Plan or in a Medicare Advantage plan so we can correctly coordinate benefits with Medicare.


    Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan:
    If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, eliminating your FEHB premium. (OPM does not contribute to your Medicare Advantage plan premium.) For more information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to reenroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage or move out of the Medicare Advantage plan’s service area.

    • Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D)

    When we are the primary payor, we process the claim first. If you enroll in Medicare Part D and we are the secondary payor, we will review claims for your prescription drug costs that are not covered by Medicare Part D and consider them for payment under the FEHB Plan.




    Primary Payor Chart

    A. When you – or your covered spouse are age 65 or over and have Medicare and you...The primary payor for the individual with Medicare is MedicareThe primary payor for the individual with Medicare is this Plan
    1) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an active employee
    2) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an annuitant or through your spouse who is an annuitant
    3) Have FEHB through your spouse who is an active employee
    4) Are a reemployed annuitant with the Federal government and your position is excluded from the FEHB (your employing office will know if this is the case) and you are not covered under FEHB through your spouse under #3 above
    5) Are a reemployed annuitant with the Federal government and your position is not excluded from the FEHB (your employing office will know if this is the case) and...
    • You have FEHB coverage on your own or through your spouse who is also an active employee
    • You have FEHB coverage through your spouse who is an annuitant
    6) Are a Federal judge who retired under title 28, U.S.C., or a Tax Court judge who retired under Section 7447 of title 26, U.S.C. (or if your covered spouse is this type of judge) and you are not covered under FEHB through your spouse under #3 above
    7) Are enrolled in Part B only, regardless of your employment status ✓ for Part B services ✓ for other services
    8) Are a Federal employee receiving Workers' Compensation ✓ *
    9) Are a Federal employee receiving disability benefits for six months or more


    B. When you or a covered family member...The primary payor for the individual with Medicare is MedicareThe primary payor for the individual with Medicare is this Plan
    1) Have Medicare solely based on end stage renal disease (ESRD) and..
    • It is within the first 30 months of eligibility for or entitlement to Medicare due to ESRD (30-month coordination period)
    • It is beyond the 30-month coordination period and you or a family member are still entitled to Medicare due to ESRD
    2) Become eligible for Medicare due to ESRD while already a Medicare beneficiary and...
    • This Plan was the primary payor before eligibility due to ESRD (for 30-month coordination period)
    • Medicare was the primary payor before eligibility due to ESRD
    3) Have Temporary Continuation of Coverage(TCC) and...
    • Medicare based on age and disability
    • Medicare based on ESRD (for the 30-month coordination period)
    • Medicare based on ESRD (after the 30-month coordination period)


    C. When either you or a covered family member are eligible for Medicare solely due to disability and you...The primary payor for the individual with Medicare is MedicareThe primary payor for the individual with Medicare is this Plan
    1) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an active employee or through a family member who is an active employee
    2) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an annuitant or through a family member who is an annuitant
    D. When you are covered under the FEHB Spouse Equity provision as a former spouse

    *Workers' Compensation is primary for claims related to your condition under Workers’ Compensation.




    Section 10. Definitions of Terms We Use in This Brochure

    TermDefinition
    Calendar year

    January 1 through December 31 of the same year. For new enrollees, the calendar year begins on the effective date of their enrollment and ends on December 31 of the same year.

    Clinical Trials Cost Categories

    An approved clinical trial includes a phase I, phase II, phase III, or phase IV clinical trial that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition and is either Federally funded; conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or is a drug trial that is exempt from the requirement of an investigational new drug application.

    • Routine care costs - costs for routine services such as doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays and scans, hospitalizations related to treating the patient's condition, whether the patient is in a clinical trial or is receiving standard therapy
    • Extra care costs - costs related to taking part in a clinical trial such as additional tests that a patient may need as part of the trial, but not as part of the patient's routine care
    • Research costs - costs related to conducting the clinical trial such as research physician and nurse time, analysis of results, and clinical tests performed only for research purposes.  These costs are generally covered by the clinical trials.  This plan does not cover these costs.

    Coinsurance

    See Section 4, page 24

    Copayment

    See Section 4, page 24

    Cost-sharing

    See Section 4, page 24

    Covered services Care we provide benefits for, as described in this brochure.
    Custodial care Custodial care is care provided to assist in meeting the activities of daily living such as help in walking, getting in and out of bed, bathing, feeding, and supervision of medications which are ordinarily self-administered. Custodial care that lasts 90 days or more is sometimes known as Long term care.

    Deductible

    See Section 4, page 24

    Experimental or investigational service

    Experimental or investigational services are services that are not widely accepted or recognized within the organized medical community as standards of care. Our Medical Policy Committee determines what procedures and services are experimental/investigational using published peer review medical and surgical literature. The procedure or service will be evaluated based on its health effects, safety, quality and cost effectiveness. In some cases, we use an independent medical review for expert evaluation and determination of coverage.

    Group health coverage Health coverage provided through a group policy, such as the FEHB program.

    Healthcare professional

    A physician or other healthcare professional licensed, accredited, or certified to perform specified health services consistent with state law.

    Medical necessity

    Medical necessity is the criteria used by us and the participating physician group to provide covered services in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of your illness or condition. Determination of whether services or supplies are medically necessary will be made according to procedures we and the participating physician group have established. Medically necessary services are determined to be:

    • Not experimental or investigational
    • Appropriate and necessary for the symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment of a condition, illness or injury
    • Provided for the diagnosis or care and treatment of the condition, illness or injury
    • Not primarily for the convenience of the member, member’s physician, or anyone else
    • The most appropriate supply or level that can safely be provided. For example, outpatient rather than inpatient surgery may be authorized when the setting is safe and adequate.

    PCP office visit Primary care physician office visit

    Plan allowance

    Plan allowance is the amount we use to determine our payment and your coinsurance for covered services. Plans determine their allowances in different ways. 

    You should also see Important Notice About Surprise Billing – Know Your Rights in Section 4 that describes your protections against surprise billing under the No Surprises Act.

    Post-service claimsAny claims that are not pre-service claims.  In other words, post-service claims are those claims where treatment has been performed and the claims have been sent to us in order to apply for benefits.
    Pre-service claimsThose claims (1) that require precertification, prior approval, or a referral and (2) where failure to obtain precertification, prior approval, or a referral results in a reduction of benefits.
    ReimbursementA carrier's pursuit of a recovery if a covered individual has suffered an illness or injury and has received, in connection with that illness or injury, a payment from any party that may be liable, any applicable insurance policy, or a workers' compensation program or insurance policy, and the terms of the carrier's health benefits plan require the covered individual, as a result of such payment, to reimburse the carrier out of the payment to the extent of the benefits initially paid or provided. The right of reimbursement is cumulative with and not exclusive of the right of subrogation.
    SubrogationA carrier's pursuit of a recovery from any party that may be liable, any applicable insurance policy, or a workers' compensation program or insurance policy, as successor to the rights of a covered individual who suffered an illness or injury and has obtained benefits from that carrier's health benefits plan.

    Urgent care claims

    A physician or other healthcare professional licensed, accredited, or certified to perform specified health services consistent with state law.

    A claim for medical care or treatment is an urgent care claim if waiting for the regular time limit for non-urgent care claims could have one of the following impacts:

    • Waiting could seriously jeopardize you life or health;
    • Waiting could seriously jeopardize your ability to regain maximum function; or
    • In the opinion of a physician with knowledge of your medical condition, waiting would subject you to severe pain that cannot be adequately managed without the care or treatment that is the subject of the claim.

    Urgent care claims usually involve Pre-service  and not Post-service claims.  We will determine whether or not a claim is an urgent care claim by applying the judgment of a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine.

    If you believe your claim qualifies as an urgent care claim, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800-522-0088.  You may also prove that your claim is an urgent care claim by providing evidence that a physician with knowledge of your medical condition has determined that your claim involves urgent care.

    Us/We Us and We refer to Health Net of California.
    You You refers to the enrollee and each covered family member.



    Index

    Do not rely on this page; it is for your convenience and may not show all pages where the terms appear.



    Index Entry
    (Page numbers solely appear in the printed brochure)



    Summary of Benefits for the High Option of Health Net of California - 2022

    • Do not rely on this chart alone. This is a summary.  All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure.  Before making a final decision, please read this FEHB brochure.  You can also obtain a copy of our Summary of Benefits and Coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act at www.healthnet.com/fehb. 
    • If you want to enroll or change your enrollment in this Plan, be sure to put the correct enrollment code from the cover on your enrollment form.
    • We only cover services provided or arranged by Plan physicians, except in emergencies.



    High Option BenefitsYou payPage

    Medical services provided by physicians: Diagnostic and treatment services provided in the office

    $20 primary care; $30 specialist

    29

    Services provided by a hospital: Inpatient

    $150 per day up to 5 days per admission copay

    56

    Services provided by a hospital: Outpatient Surgery at a Hospital or Ambulatory Surgical Center

    $200 copay

    57

    Emergency benefits: In-area

    $100 per visit (waived if admitted to Hospital)

    60

    Emergency benefits: Out-of-area

    $100 per visit (waived if admitted to Hospital)

    60

    Mental health and substance use disorder treatment:

    Regular cost-sharing

    61

    Prescription drugs:

    $10 copay for a 30-day supply of formulary generic drugs - $20 for a 90-day supply through mail order.

    $35 copay for a 30-day supply of formulary brand name drugs - $70 for a 90-day supply through mail order.

    $60 copay for a 30-day supply of non-formulary drugs - $120 for a 90-day supply through mail order.

    20% to a maximum of $200 per prescription for specialty drugs - not available through mail order.

    65

    Dental care - Accidental Injury

    $20 PCP office visit; $30 specialist visit; $100 Emergency Room

    69

    Vision care:

    $20 PCP office visit, $30 specialist visit

    38

    Special features:

    Services for the deaf and hearing impaired, Centers of Excellence, Decision Power, Active & Fit Direct program

    70

    Protection against catastrophic costs (your catastrophic out-of-pocket maximum):

    Nothing after $1,500/Self Only, $3,000/Self Plus One or $4,500/Self and Family enrollment per year.  

    For prescriptions Nothing after $2,900/Self Only, $5,800/Self Plus One or $8,700/Family enrollment per year.

    24




    Summary of Benefits for the Basic Option of Health Net of California - 2022

    • Do not rely on this chart alone. This is a summary.  All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure.  Before making a final decision, please read this FEHB brochure.  You can also obtain a copy of our Summary of Benefits and Coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act at www.healthnet.com/fehb. 
    • If you want to enroll or change your enrollment in this Plan, be sure to put the correct enrollment code from the cover on your enrollment form.
    • We only cover services provided or arranged by Plan physicians, except in emergencies.



    Basic Option BenefitsYou payPage

    Medical services provided by physicians: Diagnostic and treatment services provided in the office

    $40 per office visit 

    29

    Services provided by a hospital: Inpatient

    $500 copayment per day up to 3 days for inpatient admission

    56

    Services provided by a hospital: Outpatient surgery at a hospital or ambulatory surgical center

    $500 copayment when performed at a hospital / $200 copayment when performed at an ambulatory surgery center

    57

    Emergency benefits: In-area

    $100 per visit 

    60

    Emergency benefits: Out-of-area

    $100 per visit

    60

    Mental health and substance use disorder treatment:

    Regular cost-sharing

    61

    Prescription drugs:

    $15 copay for a 30-day supply of formulary generic drugs - $30 for a 90-day supply through mail order.

    $30 copay for a 30-day supply of formulary brand name drugs - $60 for a 90-day supply through mail order.

    $50 copay for a 30-day supply of non-formulary drugs - $100 for a 90-day supply through mail order.

    20% to a maximum of $200 per prescription for specialty drugs - not available through mail order.

    65

    Dental care - accidental injury

    $40 per office visit; $100 copay at emergency room 

    69

    Vision care:

    $40 per office visit

    38

    Special features:

    Services for the deaf and hearing impaired; Centers of Excellence, Decision Power, Active & Fit Direct program

    70

    Protection against catastrophic costs (your catastrophic out-of-pocket maximum):

    Nothing after $3,500/Self Only, $7,000/Self Plus One or $7,000/Self and Family enrollment per year.

    For prescriptions Nothing after $2,000/Self Only, $4,000/Self Plus One or $4,000/Family enrollment per year.

    24




    2022 Rate Information for Health Net of California

    To compare your FEHB health plan options please go to www.opm.gov/fehbcompare.

    To review premium rates for all FEHB health plan options, please go to www.opm.gov/FEHBpremiums or www.opm.gov/Tribalpremium

    Premiums for Tribal employees are shown under the monthly non-Postal column.  The amount shown under employee contribution is the maximum you will pay. Your Tribal employer may choose to contribute a higher portion of your premium. Please contact your Tribal Benefits Officer for exact rates.




    California
    Type of EnrollmentEnrollment CodePremium Rate
    BiWeekly
    Gov't Share
    Premium Rate
    BiWeekly
    Your Share
    Premium Rate
    Monthly
    Gov't Share
    Premium Rate
    Monthly
    Your Share
    High Option Self OnlyLB1$244.86$502.23$530.53$1,088.17
    High Option Self Plus OneLB3$524.63$1,118.97$1,136.70$2,424.43
    High Option Self and FamilyLB2$574.13$1,218.88$1,243.95$2,640.91
    California
    Type of EnrollmentEnrollment CodePremium Rate
    BiWeekly
    Gov't Share
    Premium Rate
    BiWeekly
    Your Share
    Premium Rate
    Monthly
    Gov't Share
    Premium Rate
    Monthly
    Your Share
    Basic Option Self OnlyT41$244.86$195.06$530.53$422.63
    Basic Option Self Plus OneT43$524.63$443.19$1,136.70$960.24
    Basic Option Self and FamilyT42$574.13$481.69$1,243.95$1,043.66