Members of the San Benito County Board of Supervisors voiced concerns Tuesday about implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act, as the controversial law revs up enrollment starting Oct. 1 under the state-run “Covered California” health care exchange.
“It’s kind of hard to establish a program when the state hasn’t established guidelines,” Supervisor Anthony Botelho said.
Supervisor Margie Barrios echoed those remarks, calling guidelines issued by the state to local officials “moving targets” that make it harder to implement the law at a local level.
San Benito County has passive open enrollment, according to Health and Human Services deputy director Enrique Arreola. That means that citizens will not have to affirmatively make any changes to their health plans.
He said if people don’t choose to stay in Medi-Cal, they are “passively switched” to Anthem health care plans.
According to California Health Benefit Advisors, sample rates for catastrophic plans for 25-year-olds in San Benito County will range from $163 under Health Net to $209 under Blue Shield. For 40-year-olds, catastrophic coverage ranges from $279 bronze plans under Blue Shield to $538 platinum plans under Anthem.
