Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Covered California claims 4 of 5 California doctors are in its networks
Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee.
(
Max Whittaker/Getty Images
)
Covered California claimed Wednesday that more than 80 percent of California's practicing physicians are included in plans offered through the state-run health insurance marketplace. The agency also claimed that a "substantial majority" of the state's hospitals are available.
"We believe our offerings compare favorably to commercial networks in the state in the individual and employer markets," said Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee.
Still, Lee acknowledged that "we also have contingency plans requiring health plans to expand their networks if needed."
Support for LAist comes from
More than 58,000 doctors are available through Covered California plans, compared with the 63,000 to 72,000 in the state's largest commercial networks, according to the state marketplace.
It claimed to have more than 360 hospitals available, adding that nearly two-thirds serve low-income or previously uninsured populations. Every member hospital of the California Children’s Hospital Association is available on at least one Covered California plan, the agency said.
The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development lists 365 general acute-care hospitals in California.
The Covered California website has a doctor search function, but it has worked intermittently at best. Consumers are urged to contact their doctor and/or hospital directly to confirm that they are included in a particular insurance plan.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist