Blue Cross Files Medi-Cal Managed Care Termination Notices in Eight Counties
[Posted 07/21/08]

CMA recently learned that Blue Cross has filed Medi-Cal Managed Care termination notices in eight California counties. These notices do not necessarily mean that Blue Cross will terminate, but rather that they have the option to terminate. (Last year they filed a similar notice in San Diego, but ultimately decided not to terminate when the state gave them an 8.3 percent rate increase.)

All of the affected counties — Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Fresno, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare — are two-plan model counties. If Blue Cross does choose to terminate, beneficiaries in these counties will be given a choice of moving into their counties’ other Medi-Cal plans or into fee for service. The California Department of Health Services has not yet decided which will be the default.

If Blue Cross does terminate, the effective date would be September 30 and beneficiaries would be notified in early September.

Contact: David Ford, 916/444-5532 or dford@cmanet.org.