Covered California notifications under fire

The leader of California’s health insurance exchange says the state is trying to improve notifications to consumers who are shifted to Medi-Cal during income checks and eligibility updates.

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee told board members Thursday that an unknown number of individuals were taken off their private health plans and switched to the state’s Medicaid program for the poor without adequate notification.

Lee says it’s an important issue that he does not take lightly.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that people who purchased individual health insurance coverage through Covered California were being dropped or transferred – often without notice – to Medi-Cal, which fewer doctors and providers accept.

Covered California said the shifts are happening when making sure policyholders are eligible for the exchange.