California Attorney General Rob Bonta landed a $40 million settlement with Health Net, a subsidiary of Centene, over inaccurate provider directories, according to an Oct. 13 news release.
The settlement includes a $12 million payment and roughly $28.5 million in investments over six years to ensure representative directories. Health Net will implement automation processes and verification procedures as part of the settlement.
Inaccurate provider directories make it challenging for members to understand who their plan covers and who is accepting patients.
“When insurance companies misrepresent their networks, they create barriers that leave families scrambling and vulnerable patients without access to doctors they were promised,” said San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert, who partnered with the attorney general on the case. “This settlement ensures accountability and puts protections in place to stop Health Net’s misleading practices and give patients access to the care they expect from their health insurance.”
Health Net provides coverage to more than 3 million Californians.
