Consumer group implores judge to prevent Anthem from ending OON coverage for 500k Californians

Anthem recently filed plans to switch 500,000 Californians to health plans that do not offer coverage for out-of-network care, leading Santa Monica, Calif.-based Consumer Watchdog to file papers asking a judge to step in, according to Los Angeles Times.

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Here are five takeaways:

1. Consumer Watchdog filed court papers that stated Anthem violated the law by failing to adequately inform its consumers about its agenda to change health plans.

2. Anthem’s move to change health plans from preferred provider organization plans to exclusive provider organizations means the payer will only pay for OON care on an emergency basis.

3. Following news of the filed court papers, Anthem officials told the Los Angeles Times that the group’s case lacks merit.

4. Anthem said it did properly inform its customers and state officials approved the change to EPOs.

5. Today, Judge John Shepard Wiley Jr. is scheduled to hear Consumer Watchdog’s request in Los Angeles.

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