Covered California encourages plans to expand provider networks

At a May meeting, Covered California officials said the state exchange is working to address consumers' concerns by encouraging insurers to expand their provider networks as it negotiates contracts for 2015.
 
The controversy over narrow networks is on the radar of the federal government. In a recent statement issued to Medscape Medical News, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said that it was working to strengthen requirements under the ACA for provider networks to adequately serve exchange plan enrollees.
 
Some plans have already responded positively. For example, Anthem has added 3,800 physicians to its network since January. Health Net said it has expanded its network by 64 percent. 
 
COA continues to push for doctors of optometry to be included in the medical networks for these plans.

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