• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Health Net of California Gives Small-Business Owners Innovative New Health Insurance Options

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 October 2006, 12:00 CDT

Health Net of California is introducing new, flexible and innovative health insurance options for small-business owners statewide.

Called Hn Options, the new plans give small businesses the opportunity to offer Health Net policies alongside another health carrier's policies and are aimed at business owners who are looking for more health insurance choices for their employees.

"Health Net is always looking for ways to help small businesses offer affordable health coverage for their employees, and Hn Options is ideal for those who want the powerful combination of affordability and flexibility," said Douglas King, Health Net's general segment manager of individual and small business plans.

King said the Hn Options offerings resulted from input from insurance brokers who voiced a need to provide small-business owners with more flexibility and options in choosing the health plans that meet the need of their employees.

Health insurance costs for small businesses have been rising faster than for large companies, resulting in many small employers dropping health coverage altogether and adding to California's more than 6 million uninsured. The latest challenge for small-business owners offering health insurance is the upcoming closure of Pacific Health Advantage, a California health insurance purchasing consortium serving small-business employees and their families.

With Hn Options, small businesses that enroll a minimum of five employees with Health Net are able to offer a choice of 10 Health Net plans, including health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, as well as traditional indemnity coverage and plans that provide access to medical care on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. And with a minimum of 10 Health Net enrollees, the list of Hn Options plans grows to 15 and includes coverage that allows HMO members to self-refer to physicians in a PPO network.

Additionally, Hn Options gives small employers the opportunity to offer the Health Net plans side by side with another health plan, providing a comprehensive array of health insurance choices and access to Health Net's more than 51,000 physicians, 300-plus hospitals and nearly 5,000 retail pharmacies.

All Hn Options plans come with Decision Powersm, Health Net's 24/7 access to Health Coaches who provide evidence-based health information and coaching support to help members better evaluate their available health care choices. And Decision Power provides independent access to information resources and online tools, as well as support videos, as appropriate, to assist members in making better health care decisions.

Other Health Net online decision-support tools include a hospital comparison report that provides independent analysis of area hospitals, access to evidence-based medical treatment information, and health surveys.

To be eligible for Hn Options, small businesses must have at least 75 percent of their employees enrolled in a health plan, whether Health Net or another carrier.

For information about Hn Options, small-business owners may call 1-800-447-8812 and brokers may call 1-800-448-4411, extension 4.

Health Net of California, a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), is one of the largest health plans in the state, serving nearly 2.3 million members statewide. It contracts with more than 51,000 physicians, 300-plus hospitals and nearly 5,000 pharmacies, giving its members greater choice and more convenient access to care. Its commercial, POS and Medicare lines of business have received the "excellent" accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information about Health Net, please visit its Web site at www.healthnet.com.

Cautionary Statements

Certain matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes,""anticipates,""plans,""expects,""may,""should,""could,""estimate,""intend" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other things, rising health care costs, negative prior period claims reserve developments, trends in medical care ratios, issues relating to provider contracts, operational issues, health care reform and general business conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors" section included within the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and the risks discussed in the company's other periodic filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category