Health Net Is Leaving. Here’s How to Answer Your Employees’ Questions.
Health Net is exiting California’s group health insurance market, and group coverage is expected to end February 28, 2027. As soon as your team hears the news, the questions will start.
We’ll be honest: if you replace Health Net with a single new carrier, many of these answers get complicated. Complicated enough that we’d need a much longer blog post (and probably a few aspirin) to cover them.
But if your business moves to CaliforniaChoice, most answers get short and simple. Here are the questions you’re most likely to hear, and how you can answer them.
Common Employee Questions About Health Nets Market Exit
Q: How will I keep my child’s doctor with Health Net leaving?
A: We’re planning to switch to CaliforniaChoice, so you’ll be able to choose from up to 7 health plans and find one whose network includes your son’s doctor. That could be a Health Net plan for next year, or Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare or another major carrier that the doctor accepts. You can use the CaliforniaChoice Provider Directory to look up which plans and networks your child’s doctor is in before you enroll.
Q: My monthly payment and copays were perfect for my budget. How will the new plan keep me on budget?
A: With CaliforniaChoice, you’re not stuck with one replacement plan. You can compare plans from multiple carriers side by side and choose the premium, deductible, and copays that fit your budget. If you want a lower monthly cost, you can choose a plan with a lower premium. If you see the doctor often, you can choose a plan with lower copays.
Q: When does my Health Net coverage actually end?
A: Health Net group coverage is expected to end February 28, 2027. Because we’re moving to CaliforniaChoice before January 1, 2027, many of you can stay on a Health Net plan for a full 12-month plan year. You’ll have plenty of time to plan your next step.
Q: Can I just keep my current Health Net plan?
A: For one more year, in many cases, yes. CaliforniaChoice lets groups that switch by January 1, 2027 keep many Health Net plans for a full plan cycle. After that, you’ll pick a new carrier within CaliforniaChoice at renewal.
Q: What happens after that year on Health Net?
A: At renewal, you’ll choose a new plan from the other carriers in CaliforniaChoice, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthcare, or one of the regional options. There’s no new program to sign up for and no new company plan to learn. You just pick the plan that fits you best.
Q: Will I have to change my prescriptions or pharmacy?
A: It depends on the plan you choose, and with CaliforniaChoice you’ll have several to choose from. Before you enroll, check each plan’s drug list (formulary) for your medications. If you take ongoing medications, talk with your doctor and pharmacist before your coverage changes.
Q: I’m in the middle of treatment. What happens to my care?
A: Start by looking up your current doctors and specialists in the CaliforniaChoice Provider Directory to find a plan that keeps them in network. If you’re in active treatment, call the new carrier once you enroll and ask about continuity of care so your treatment isn’t interrupted.
Q: Do I have to be on the same plan as everyone else at work?
A: No. That’s one of the biggest benefits of CaliforniaChoice. Each employee can choose the carrier and plan that works best for them, within the options our company offers. Your coworker might pick a Kaiser Permanente HMO while you choose an Anthem Blue Cross PPO.
Q: Can my spouse and kids stay on my plan?
A: Yes. Your eligible dependents can enroll with you. Because you’ll have several plans to choose from, you can pick one whose network covers your whole family’s doctors.
Q: I have an HSA. Can I keep contributing?
A: CaliforniaChoice offers HSA-compatible plans. If you want to keep contributing to your HSA, choose one of those plans. The money already in your HSA is yours and stays with you no matter which plan you pick.
Q: Will my ID card and claims change?
A: If you stay on a Health Net plan for the next year, your coverage will feel familiar. When you move to a new carrier, you’ll get a new ID card from that carrier. Give it to your doctors and pharmacy at your next visit. Health Net will continue processing claims during the transition.
Q: What if this happens again with another insurance company?
A: That’s exactly why we chose CaliforniaChoice. With 7 carriers in one program, no single insurance company holds our whole plan. If a carrier ever leaves or changes its plans, you’ll simply choose a different carrier at renewal. Our company plan stays put.
Q: Who do I ask if I have more questions?
A: Start with HR or our benefits broker. You can also compare plans and search for doctors before open enrollment.
A Multi Carrier Option Makes Things Easier
Without a multi-carrier option, every one of these questions turns into a long conversation about networks, waivers, and compromises. With CaliforniaChoice, the answer is almost always the same: you get to choose.
Make the switch before January 1, 2027 to keep Health Net for one more year and give your employees the simplest possible answers. Talk to your broker or contact CaliforniaChoice to get started.
Quick Answers
| Employee question | Short answer with CaliforniaChoice |
| Can I keep my doctor? | Choose from up to 7 carriers and pick one whose network includes your doctor |
| Can I stay on budget? | Compare premiums, deductibles and copays across carriers and pick what fits |
| When does Health Net end? | Group coverage ends Feb 28, 2027; through CaliforniaChoice, many plans continue a full plan year |
| Can I keep my Health Net plan? | For one more year, in many cases, yes |
| What happens after that year? | Choose another CaliforniaChoice carrier at renewal |
| Will my prescriptions change? | Check each plan’s drug list before you enroll |
| I’m mid-treatment. What now? | Pick a plan with your doctors in network and ask about continuity of care |
| Do I need the same plan as coworkers? | No. Each employee chooses |
| Can my family stay on my plan? | Yes, eligible dependents can enroll with you |
| Can I keep my HSA? | Yes. Choose an HSA-compatible plan to keep contributing |
| Will I get a new ID card? | Only when you move to a new carrier |
| What if another carrier leaves? | Pick a different carrier; the company plan stays |
| Who do I ask? | HR, our benefits broker or calchoice.com |
