Health Net Group Health Insurance Plans

Health Net, LLC is a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, an American health insurance provider and Fortune 500 company. It was originally formed in 1977 by Blue Cross as the nonprofit Health Net of California. Although the company was founded over 40 years ago, they remain committed to changing the health of communities, one individual at a time. The team at Health Net believes that everyone deserves to have an affordable safety net for their health, regardless of their income, age, current health conditions, or employment status.

 So, if you’re searching for a high-quality, affordable health insurance plan for you, you and your family, or your employees, Health Net is an excellent choice. Whether you own a small business or you’re an HR representative at a major corporation, Health Net has numerous quality health plans to choose from to fit your needs. With that said, let’s take a more comprehensive look at what this provider can offer you in terms of group health insurance.

What is Group Health Insurance?

Before we go any further, it is absolutely crucial that you understand what exactly group health insurance is and what these plans entail. Put simply, group health insurance is coverage given through an employer or other entity that offers coverage to all eligible members of the group. In most cases, this ‘group’ refers to employees at a company or members of a particular organization. These health plans also extend coverage to the member’s immediate family members and dependents, as desired.

Group health insurance applies to both small and large groups, which are regulated differently. In most states, small groups are defined as those that have up to 50 employees. However, there are four states in the U.S. that classify a “small group” as having up to 100 employees. If a company has more employees than the state’s designation of a small group, it is considered a large group health insurance plan.

The key advantage to this form of health insurance is that members generally receive insurance at a much lower rate than they would if they were to opt for an individual plan. This happens because the insurer’s risk is distributed between all covered members of the group. Employers, on the other hand, benefit from the ability to handle all of their employee’s health needs in a single convenient plan and at an affordable rate.

Group health insurance plans are common throughout both the United States and Canada. However, they can only be bought by groups and usually require no less than 70% participation by the members of the group in order to be valid.

Health Net Group Health Plans

When it comes to your business, the team at Health Net understands how crucial each decision you make is. Health Net provides appropriate and affordable insurance plan solutions for both large and small employer groups. When you choose Health Net for your group health insurance, you and your employees receive the care to easily and efficiently manage your medical needs.

However, as all businesses are different, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Health Net will work closely with you to understand your unique needs and goals, in order to develop the ideal group health insurance package for your situation. Although their plan offerings vary slightly depending on the size of your business, here are some of the group health insurance plans that you can expect to receive from Health Net:

Tailored Networks

Health Net is acknowledged as a propelling force when it comes to tailored network strategies, stemming from their ability to take a closer look at key provider partners that share their commitment to providing high-quality, cost-effective products. This has resulted in Health Net creating more network solutions that meet the unique needs of their customers.

The idea of ‘tailored networks,’ founded by Health Net, seeks to offer affordability without compromising benefits or excellence.

• SmartCare: SmartCare was formed on a tailored network of dependable, first-rate provider groups and hospitals. The plan is ideal for both small businesses and mid-sized/large employer groups. It takes a comprehensive approach to healthcare, offering much more than just medical benefits. Each plan also includes prescription drug coverage, acupuncture, and chiropractic services.
• WholeCare: Health Net’s original and largest tailored network, WholeCare provides quality health care to Californians at a reasonable price. Coverage also includes convenient access to CVS clinics, acupuncture, and the option to add chiropractic services.
• Salud: Created for members of the Hispanic community, Salud plans offer access to health care that is local, affordable, and culturally adept. Plan members get access to quality medical professionals that recognize the health concerns and cultural preferences of Latinos.

HMO Plans

Health maintenance organization plans (HMO) involve members selecting their preferred primary care physician (PCP) from Health Net’s network of providers and then they pay a set monthly rate. The primary care physician they choose will manage all of their health care associated services, including authorizations and referrals.

HMO plans are ideal employees who prefer to have a single doctor handle all their care at costs that are always predictable. Copayments may vary depending on the plan but your employees will enjoy access to essential, inpatient, and emergency services. Many HMO plans also include lab services, hospitalization, office visits, X-rays, mental health, prenatal and postnatal services, and more.

PPO Plans

Those who select Health Net’s preferred provider organization (PPO) will enjoy access to an extensive network of local and out-of-state providers. Consumers who choose PPO often desire more flexibility and options regarding their health care. They receive coverage for a wide array of medical services, and visits to specialists do not require a referral. The key highlights of a Health Net PPO plan are as follows:

• Referrals not required to see in-network specialists.
• Massive network of local and out-of-state providers.
• The flexibility to choose providers in-network or out-of-network.
• Wide variety of covered medical services.
• No claims need to be filed when you see in-network providers.

The downside to PPO plans is that premiums tend to be much higher and you’ll often end up paying higher out-of-pocket costs if you choose to go out of the network for care. Though, if you want more flexibility for your employees and some reasonable cost-savings, PPO may be the way to go.

EZ Access HSA Plans

Health Net developed their EZ Access HSA plans for groups to allow members a convenient way to manage their personal health savings account. This convenient program also includes low monthly premiums for members and potential tax savings for employers. Put simply, a Health Savings Plan (HSA) is a way for members to put aside some of their pre-tax income in an interest-bearing account to be used for future medical expenses.

This money will stay with you, even if you choose to switch jobs down the line. There is also no time limit on using the money and all contributions are not subjected to FICA or FUTA taxes. With Health Net’s EZ Access HSA plans, members have 24/7 access to their account online, including investment and expense tracking, and bill pay.

Have more questions about group health insurance and what plans Health Net can offer you and your employees? We can help!

Whether you are located in California’s Bay Area or anywhere else in the country, the skilled and proficient brokers at Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency are available to outline your plan options, explain all the little details, and help you choose the best Health Net group health insurance plan for your business.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t hesitate – contact us now to get the process started.