November 20, 2023 • 21 mins
Host Evelyn Erives kicks off the first episode of "Covering Your Health" with IEHP CEO Jarrod McNaughton. Jarrod shares a wealth of knowledge about what perhaps will be the biggest issue facing the Medi-Cal program in history and how it may affect many in the Inland Empire.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
Welcome to Covering Your Health, awellness podcast dedicated to covering all areas of
living a healthy and happy lifestyle,from healthy hearts to understanding health plans and
everything in between. Each episode willprovide you with a better understanding of managing
your health, preventative care, andstaying on the right path for your family's
wellness journey. The Covering Your HealthPodcast is presented by i EhP. Now
(00:26):
your host Evelina Revez. Hello,well here we are the first ever episode
of the Covering Your Health Podcast,and I could not be more excited.
Yes, I'm Evelyn ear Revez.You may know me from the radio,
but what you may not know aboutme is I also have this huge love
(00:46):
of learning and through motherhood. Ihave three kids that's only grown it really
has so when the opportunity presented itselfto host this informational style wellness podcast,
I really jumped at the chance.I want to learn alongside you. Full
disclosure, my guests will be theexperts and I will not. This way,
(01:07):
I can hopefully ask the questions youwere thinking as you know somebody who
is an expert, and not asthe person who is in the health field
right or the expert in that field. I want you to feel like you
can be a part of these conversations, and I absolutely encourage your feedback.
You can get a hold of meso many ways at Evelyn erive A's e
(01:30):
V E l y n e ri V s on Instagram, slide into
my DMS, let me know whatyou think and what topics you would like
for us to cover. Another thing. You may not know I am on
my own wellness journey, but thereare really so many things I have yet
to learn about what really goes intoliving a healthy lifestyle. We're going to
(01:52):
get into that and so many thingsthat play into being covered on your family's
wellness journey. So I am delightedtoday to have from my very first guest,
someone who I think could probably talkabout every aspect of managing your health.
But with each episode we'll try tokeep it to one subject so that
way you have a full understanding aboutthat one thing in particular, and then
(02:15):
hopefully down the road you could scrollthrough all of our episodes and find the
show that may benefit you the mostat that particular time too. All right,
let's get into this my very firstguest, Please welcome Jared McNaughton,
the CEO at Inland Empire Health Planor IEHP as we so lovingly call them,
to chat about something that's very importantto many people in the ie the
(02:38):
medical renewal process and covered California,something I know nothing about. Let's learn
together. Hello Jared and welcome.Well, thanks so much, Evlin for
having me today. I really appreciateyour time. Absolutely, this is so
exciting. It's the first episode andyou're the perfect guest. I really feel
(02:58):
like you are the perfect one.You know so many things about so many
things. And before we get intothe medical process and cover California in all
of that, I want to talkabout you for a minute. Tell me
how you got to the position youare in. I've read your bio.
You are very distinguished and I justthink you're the coolest. So tell me
a little bit about how you becamethe CEO of the Inland Empire Health Plan.
(03:21):
Well, thank you so much.You know, it's kind of a
fun story because I'm a California kid. I grew up in the Central Valley
of California and actually grew up ina phenomenal, phenomenal family, but we
were pretty poor. I remember waitingin line for the government cheeses and peanut
butters and all of that stuff,and really worked very, very hard through
(03:46):
just seeing my parents, my momespecially who was raising two kids as a
single mom, my grandparents who supportedus, and just had that drive really
I think instilled by them to wantto do just something different for myself.
So I was the first person whograduated from college my whole family and started
out in the hospital world as aminimum wage marketing assistant and kind of worked
(04:12):
my way up through the ranks,if you will, over all of these
years and ended up becoming a hospitalCEO. And when the opportunity came up
to move back to California, wereally needed to get back to California to
care for our family, especially agingparents. It was so so cool that
a contact I had made years beforeat IHP had reached out and said,
(04:35):
hey, we heard you're trying toget back to California. We were out
on the East Coast at the time, and what could we do to have
you come to DIHP. A completelydifferent world, I kind of say,
it's a different planet in the samesolar system, between the provider or hospital
side versus the health plan side.Best decision I could ever make, and
it's just been an absolute blast toserve the ie. That is wonderful.
(04:58):
Wow, I am in awe ofyour trajectory. How you you know,
started at the minimum wage and marketingand just and you became an executive.
I mean, that's something for peopleto really look at and strive for that
they can understand. You do startsomewhere. Everyone starts somewhere, right,
Yeah, that's right. And youknow, I share all the time with
(05:20):
folks that for me, some ofthe best things that ever happened to me
was really having those mentors you know, in my life that helped to give
me guidance and counsel and just somepeople that they're only biased was really my
success. And I just still tothis day those folks are in my life
(05:42):
that I can reach out to andjust get that just insight and wisdom from
so many of them who have liveda very unique life as well. And
I encourage folks just whatever you cando, try to find mentors that are
around you to help support and guideyou on your future success. Beautifully said,
I have to tell you, Itell my children this now too.
(06:02):
You are who you surround yourself withand that is just one of the biggest
things I've I know for myself aswell, having mentors, having someone to
go back to who doesn't look atyou as competition or look at you as
anything else really but a friend andsomeone who could actually give you solid advice.
(06:24):
There's nothing like it there really isn'tso true. Excellent, excellent wisdom
for your kids. I couldn't agreemore. Yeah, my daughter, my
oldest, is twenty years old now, so she's really starting to get understand
that mom wasn't lying, Like thisis real. Yeah, that's rights,
exactly right, that's exactly right.Sometimes they have to start living those experiences,
(06:44):
don't they. Yes, they doas they go through college. Now.
I'm so proud of her, andshe really is. She understands the
value of having the mentors. SoI love that you said that. Well,
okay, so let's get into thenitty gritty. Every episode here at
Covering your Health, we're going totalk about a different topic and this particular
topic. I feel like we couldtalk to you about all kinds of things,
but I think one that's really reallyimportant, especially now, is the
(07:08):
annual medical renewal process and covered California, really right, yes, that's right.
Yeah, there's some really unique thingshappening in the state and actually across
the whole country when it comes tohealthcare right now for folks that are in
the US in California in particular,and probably the biggest issue that's faced the
medical program just about in its historyis this thing that's called the redetermination process.
(07:34):
And this is really a process that'ssupposed to happen every year for members
that are in the medical program,but it was actually put on hold during
the pandemic for three years, sothere was no redetermination process, no re
eligibility process for the medical program foractually three years during all of the COVID
(07:55):
period that we lived in that season. But it started back up actually this
year in twenty twenty three, andthat means that all of the folks that
are in the medical program actually haveto go through this process to see if
they actually are still eligible for themedical program. So for IHP, that
means about one hundred and twenty thousandpeople a month or around that are actually
(08:20):
going to go through this process,and we're worried that about twenty percent or
so of our members could actually losetheir coverage because there's a very some unique
things that they have to do inorder to keep their coverage. So,
yeah, this is a big,big deal of one. Yeah it sounds
like it. Okay, so thisis all foreign to me, but I'm
glad I'm learning it now. Sothere are going to be a lot of
(08:43):
people who actually think that they don'thave to go through this process again because
they were covered during that time thateverything was sort of paused, So they're
not even going to know. Soit's a matter of you need to be
in the know to know that youhave to be redetermined in this case exactly
that apps. You're absolutely spot on. And there are, of course some
factors that play into this where folksmaybe they got a new job and so
(09:07):
their income has increased, or maybethey've moved out of our two counties so
they're not eligible for our program atHP, but they could be eligible for
another medical program. So there aresome factors there. But really the biggest
reason that we're seeing folks fall outof the medical program is simply because they're
not taking the time to actually completetheir renewal application that was mailed to them
(09:30):
in a yellow envelope from our twocounty partners and So if folks see that
yellow envelope come in the mail,it is incredibly vital that they take just
a minute open that thing up andjust check it out and look at it.
And we actually have an entire teamat HP that can actually support and
help folks in the community to completethat packet if they need help too.
(09:52):
Right, you don't have to dothis alone at all. You can have
someone that is in your corner IHPspecifically to help you get through that process.
That's wonderful. How is ITEHB actuallyhelping the members now? Beside obviously
that part, what else are theydoing? How are they spreading the word
about this redetermination that's taking place.Yeah, we're doing a ton of work.
(10:13):
If folks are driving out and about, they may have seen billboards,
they might see television ads, theymight see social media campaigns all focus on
the idea of keeping your HP medicalcoverage. We've partnered with providers, so
this is doctors and hospitals, communitybased organizations the two counties riverside in San
Maurino Counties to really make sure toget the word out. And we've actually
(10:37):
created an entire team, a specificeligibility team that's available to folks in the
community to help support them if theyhave any questions, and they can simply
call. It's a toll free numberthat they can call and actually get information,
and that number is eight eight eighteight six zero one two nine six.
(11:00):
It's eight eight eight eight six zerotwelve ninety six, and folks can
call that number and our team willbe on standby to either help them through
the process if they got it,if they received a packet in the mail,
or if they even are just curiousabout you know, I haven't received
anything in the mail, but I'mon medical and I want to make sure
I keep my coverage. That teamcan actually go into the system and make
(11:20):
sure that they can share This isthe date that we think you're going to
get that packet in the mail,so be on the lookout for it.
Wonderful. Oh, that's great,that's really really great. I'm chatting with
Jared McNaughton. He's the CEO ofIEHP, and we are chatting all about
the medical renewal process. Now Ihave a question for you. What options
(11:41):
do members have if they're determined thatthey're just no longer eligible for medical.
Yeah, it's a great question.So that does happen, and of course
for folks, and we're thrilled thatfolks are actually receiving coverage through their employer.
Maybe they have a job now thatthey're making a little bit more money,
which is super cool where jazz forthem, But if somebody still would
(12:03):
really they need that coverage, theyneed some type of health coverage. We're
actually launching for the first time inour organization's history, something called Cover California,
called HP covered, and we're actuallygoing to be part of the Covered
California exchange in twenty twenty four andfolks can actually sign up to be part
of our HP covered health plan throughCovered California and where we just got word
(12:28):
that we're the lowest cost silver planin both counties and that means that we'll
be able to offer zero or verylow cost premiums to IE residents who might
lose their medical eligibility during the renewalprocess, but they still are eligible for
Covered California. And so this isbrand new for us too. I know
it's brand new for the community.We're super excited about that. But they
(12:52):
can call that same number that eighteight eight eight six zero one two nine
six number and folks on that otherline can actually we say, hey,
we don't think you're maybe eligible formedical, but we can get you into
Covered California or vice versa, andso they can. It's a really one
stop shop that folks can call andget all of that information to help them
out with. Okay, so yousaid the magic numbers. In my mind,
(13:16):
zero or low cost coverage is justincredible in my brain right now.
Yes, Wow, really excited aboutbeing able to offer that. And because
we are a local really entity that'shere to support folks that are right here
in the ie, we felt likewe needed to be that lowest cost silver
plan and to be able to offerzero or low cost premiums because we are
(13:41):
local entity created by the two countiesto serve the community. You hear that
Inland Empire, there is this numberof people who are going to fall out
of medical or they're going to dobetter. Right, their income is going
to grow by just a little bit, but just enough, right, just
enough to take you out of thatlittle window. And this is just such
a huge benefit. Very cool.Now, Okay, so tell me a
(14:01):
little bit more about Covered California becauseI think I even am a little confused
about how Covered California works. Whywould someone choose IHP Covered California plans?
Our state here in the state ofCalifornia, created something called Covered California.
Folks might be seeing television ads orbillboards for Covered California and it's a place
(14:22):
where if you go on to CoverCalifornia's website, you can see that you
can actually have a whole listing ofall of the different plans, the health
plans that are available to you ina particular region, and there are multiple
different health plans depending on where youlive, that are available to you.
We will now be on that.We are on it as of right now
(14:43):
that folks, if they go onto Cover California, they'll actually see as
an option IHP can be their healthplan of choice. And especially cool because
we are that lowest cost over plan, so it's the very best value for
the region and for the residents ofthe Inland Empire. And as I mentioned
before, everyone, what we're soexcited about is that because we're local and
(15:07):
we're right here in the IE,our goal is to serve as many of
those residents locally to help them findthose pathways to have affordable and very high
quality health coverage for them and theirfamilies. And so for us, it's
a brand new entry for us thatthe state has been asking us to do
this for nearly a decade, andwe finally this year said, you know,
(15:28):
it's really time to do that,especially with this very unique redetermination process,
so that people can either be inthe medical program, or if they
don't qualify for medical, like yousaid, maybe they just make a little
bit too much money, they'll actuallyqualify for Covered California, which provides a
tremendous amount of all kinds of differentrebate coupons, voucher programs that can actually
(15:54):
help to create that their premiums arezero. In many cases, there's no
cost at all. Man, thatis amazing. That's really it's kind of
blowing my mind. I have friendswho have children who are in IHP,
so through this plan now they couldbe eligible to actually be under the same
coverage right altogether. Yeah, that'sa really good point, because you know
(16:18):
what happens many times is that iffolks go through the redetermination process and maybe
the adults in the home are nolonger qualified for medical, their kids would
still qualify for medical, but theadults could actually qualify for Covered California.
And so to your point, theycould all be covered under the same entity
(16:40):
now, which was never available before, so that the kids still have HP
medical coverage and the adults have theHP Covered California coverage. And so it's
a really cool way to make surethat everybody in the home is covered by
HP their local health plan. That'sso great, Oh, I love to
hear that. Bringing the family altogetherunder one plan, to me is just
(17:03):
I think that's what everybody would love, right, the opportunity to know you're
all covered in general. Yes,that's right, that's exactly right. Oh,
I love it. Well, that'swhy it's called covering your health.
Yeah, so let's get into onefinal thing before we go. I want
to close the show with some finaltakeaways. Three final takeaways just in case
(17:25):
somebody missed something. You know thatthey can go, Okay, I got
my pen I'm ready. Now whatthere are the three things that I need
to know right now about this redeterminationprocess and Covered California. Yeah, no,
it's a great, great question.So top three things for folks to
know. Every Number one, everyonewith medical needs to renew now every year,
(17:48):
So please return your packet when youreceive it. We have that little
saying renew it or lose it,I mean, and that is literally what's
happening right now. So that's thebig point number one. Number two,
if you don't qualify for medical,you can actually sign up with HP through
Cover California at IHP dot org.And so folks can go to our website
at IHP dot org check out everythingthat is available through Covered California and really
(18:15):
some great resources on our brand newwebsite that was just launched here a few
weeks ago. And then number three, there are about almost two hundred thousand
people that are actually still uninsured inthe Inland Empire, and the state is
opening up coverage for all ages ofundocumented residents starting in January of twenty twenty
(18:37):
four, So regardless of your documentedstatus, you'll actually be able to have
coverage through the medical program. Andfolks can just simply call us at that
eight eight eight eight six zero onetwo nine six, and we can actually
work through all of those coverage issuesthat they have. And so we really
really encourage folks to call us atthat eight eight eight eight six zero twelve
(19:00):
ninety six because we'll be able tosupport them whether they're brand new coming through
on the undocumented residence starting in January, or whether they're folks that need to
have their medical redetermined, or theycan have the option of joining cover California.
It's a really great resource. That'sincredible, That really is I'm thinking
now there may be just somebody listeningright now, well maybe this doesn't even
(19:21):
pertain to them, but they havefamily members who may be undocumented, and
this is information they need to knowthis. You can be the vessel that
helps spread the word of what ishappening and why it is so vitally important
that they reach out to IHP dotorg and find out and find out if
they can get this kind of coverageso they don't have to be one of
(19:42):
the one hundred and eighty thousand peoplewho are going to be uninsured here in
the Inland Empire. Wow, boughton. You got it, that's right.
I am blown away. Jared McNaughton, thank you so very very much.
I appreciate you being the first guest. First off, Honor Yay,
you were here first so much.Thanks for having me. Thrilled you're doing
this for the community too. It'ssuper cool. I'm thrilled to be doing
(20:03):
it for the community, but I'meven more excited that I get to partner
with IEHP on this on this journey, on my own wellness journey as well,
and learning all of the things thatgo into really a big healthy family
and everyone's wellness journey is very important, no matter if you're through medical,
no matter if you're through Covered Californiaor whatever it is. We hope that
(20:27):
this particular podcast will be something andbring something to you and help you learn
and grow. Thank you so much, Jared McNaughton, the CEO of IEHP,
for chatting all about this medical renewalprocess and Covered California the redetermination I'm
put in air quotes right now.Thank you again for joining me. I
(20:49):
look forward. I hope you canjoin me again in another topic. I
know you're a vessel of knowledge.Oh, thank you, Evill and I
would love to anytime. And thanksagain for all that you're doing to share
such great insight for the community.It's just awesome. Oh, thank you
so so very much. Episode oneof Covering Your Health is officially in the
books. I hope you'll join usfor our next episode coming really soon.
(21:12):
I'm Evelyini Erivez take care of yourselfand take care of each other.
Welcome to Covering Your Health, awellness podcast dedicated to covering all areas of
living a healthy and happy lifestyle,from healthy hearts to understanding health plans and
everything in between. Each episode willprovide you with a better understanding of managing
your health, preventative care, andstaying on the right path for your family's
wellness journey. The Covering Your HealthPodcast is presented by i EhP. Now
(00:26):
your host Evelina Revez. Hello,well here we are the first ever episode
of the Covering Your Health Podcast,and I could not be more excited.
Yes, I'm Evelyn ear Revez.You may know me from the radio,
but what you may not know aboutme is I also have this huge love
(00:46):
of learning and through motherhood. Ihave three kids that's only grown it really
has so when the opportunity presented itselfto host this informational style wellness podcast,
I really jumped at the chance.I want to learn alongside you. Full
disclosure, my guests will be theexperts and I will not. This way,
(01:07):
I can hopefully ask the questions youwere thinking as you know somebody who
is an expert, and not asthe person who is in the health field
right or the expert in that field. I want you to feel like you
can be a part of these conversations, and I absolutely encourage your feedback.
You can get a hold of meso many ways at Evelyn erive A's e
(01:30):
V E l y n e ri V s on Instagram, slide into
my DMS, let me know whatyou think and what topics you would like
for us to cover. Another thing. You may not know I am on
my own wellness journey, but thereare really so many things I have yet
to learn about what really goes intoliving a healthy lifestyle. We're going to
(01:52):
get into that and so many thingsthat play into being covered on your family's
wellness journey. So I am delightedtoday to have from my very first guest,
someone who I think could probably talkabout every aspect of managing your health.
But with each episode we'll try tokeep it to one subject so that
way you have a full understanding aboutthat one thing in particular, and then
(02:15):
hopefully down the road you could scrollthrough all of our episodes and find the
show that may benefit you the mostat that particular time too. All right,
let's get into this my very firstguest, Please welcome Jared McNaughton,
the CEO at Inland Empire Health Planor IEHP as we so lovingly call them,
to chat about something that's very importantto many people in the ie the
(02:38):
medical renewal process and covered California,something I know nothing about. Let's learn
together. Hello Jared and welcome.Well, thanks so much, Evlin for
having me today. I really appreciateyour time. Absolutely, this is so
exciting. It's the first episode andyou're the perfect guest. I really feel
(02:58):
like you are the perfect one.You know so many things about so many
things. And before we get intothe medical process and cover California in all
of that, I want to talkabout you for a minute. Tell me
how you got to the position youare in. I've read your bio.
You are very distinguished and I justthink you're the coolest. So tell me
a little bit about how you becamethe CEO of the Inland Empire Health Plan.
(03:21):
Well, thank you so much.You know, it's kind of a
fun story because I'm a California kid. I grew up in the Central Valley
of California and actually grew up ina phenomenal, phenomenal family, but we
were pretty poor. I remember waitingin line for the government cheeses and peanut
butters and all of that stuff,and really worked very, very hard through
(03:46):
just seeing my parents, my momespecially who was raising two kids as a
single mom, my grandparents who supportedus, and just had that drive really
I think instilled by them to wantto do just something different for myself.
So I was the first person whograduated from college my whole family and started
out in the hospital world as aminimum wage marketing assistant and kind of worked
(04:12):
my way up through the ranks,if you will, over all of these
years and ended up becoming a hospitalCEO. And when the opportunity came up
to move back to California, wereally needed to get back to California to
care for our family, especially agingparents. It was so so cool that
a contact I had made years beforeat IHP had reached out and said,
(04:35):
hey, we heard you're trying toget back to California. We were out
on the East Coast at the time, and what could we do to have
you come to DIHP. A completelydifferent world, I kind of say,
it's a different planet in the samesolar system, between the provider or hospital
side versus the health plan side.Best decision I could ever make, and
it's just been an absolute blast toserve the ie. That is wonderful.
(04:58):
Wow, I am in awe ofyour trajectory. How you you know,
started at the minimum wage and marketingand just and you became an executive.
I mean, that's something for peopleto really look at and strive for that
they can understand. You do startsomewhere. Everyone starts somewhere, right,
Yeah, that's right. And youknow, I share all the time with
(05:20):
folks that for me, some ofthe best things that ever happened to me
was really having those mentors you know, in my life that helped to give
me guidance and counsel and just somepeople that they're only biased was really my
success. And I just still tothis day those folks are in my life
(05:42):
that I can reach out to andjust get that just insight and wisdom from
so many of them who have liveda very unique life as well. And
I encourage folks just whatever you cando, try to find mentors that are
around you to help support and guideyou on your future success. Beautifully said,
I have to tell you, Itell my children this now too.
(06:02):
You are who you surround yourself withand that is just one of the biggest
things I've I know for myself aswell, having mentors, having someone to
go back to who doesn't look atyou as competition or look at you as
anything else really but a friend andsomeone who could actually give you solid advice.
(06:24):
There's nothing like it there really isn'tso true. Excellent, excellent wisdom
for your kids. I couldn't agreemore. Yeah, my daughter, my
oldest, is twenty years old now, so she's really starting to get understand
that mom wasn't lying, Like thisis real. Yeah, that's rights,
exactly right, that's exactly right.Sometimes they have to start living those experiences,
(06:44):
don't they. Yes, they doas they go through college. Now.
I'm so proud of her, andshe really is. She understands the
value of having the mentors. SoI love that you said that. Well,
okay, so let's get into thenitty gritty. Every episode here at
Covering your Health, we're going totalk about a different topic and this particular
topic. I feel like we couldtalk to you about all kinds of things,
but I think one that's really reallyimportant, especially now, is the
(07:08):
annual medical renewal process and covered California, really right, yes, that's right.
Yeah, there's some really unique thingshappening in the state and actually across
the whole country when it comes tohealthcare right now for folks that are in
the US in California in particular,and probably the biggest issue that's faced the
medical program just about in its historyis this thing that's called the redetermination process.
(07:34):
And this is really a process that'ssupposed to happen every year for members
that are in the medical program,but it was actually put on hold during
the pandemic for three years, sothere was no redetermination process, no re
eligibility process for the medical program foractually three years during all of the COVID
(07:55):
period that we lived in that season. But it started back up actually this
year in twenty twenty three, andthat means that all of the folks that
are in the medical program actually haveto go through this process to see if
they actually are still eligible for themedical program. So for IHP, that
means about one hundred and twenty thousandpeople a month or around that are actually
(08:20):
going to go through this process,and we're worried that about twenty percent or
so of our members could actually losetheir coverage because there's a very some unique
things that they have to do inorder to keep their coverage. So,
yeah, this is a big,big deal of one. Yeah it sounds
like it. Okay, so thisis all foreign to me, but I'm
glad I'm learning it now. Sothere are going to be a lot of
(08:43):
people who actually think that they don'thave to go through this process again because
they were covered during that time thateverything was sort of paused, So they're
not even going to know. Soit's a matter of you need to be
in the know to know that youhave to be redetermined in this case exactly
that apps. You're absolutely spot on. And there are, of course some
factors that play into this where folksmaybe they got a new job and so
(09:07):
their income has increased, or maybethey've moved out of our two counties so
they're not eligible for our program atHP, but they could be eligible for
another medical program. So there aresome factors there. But really the biggest
reason that we're seeing folks fall outof the medical program is simply because they're
not taking the time to actually completetheir renewal application that was mailed to them
(09:30):
in a yellow envelope from our twocounty partners and So if folks see that
yellow envelope come in the mail,it is incredibly vital that they take just
a minute open that thing up andjust check it out and look at it.
And we actually have an entire teamat HP that can actually support and
help folks in the community to completethat packet if they need help too.
(09:52):
Right, you don't have to dothis alone at all. You can have
someone that is in your corner IHPspecifically to help you get through that process.
That's wonderful. How is ITEHB actuallyhelping the members now? Beside obviously
that part, what else are theydoing? How are they spreading the word
about this redetermination that's taking place.Yeah, we're doing a ton of work.
(10:13):
If folks are driving out and about, they may have seen billboards,
they might see television ads, theymight see social media campaigns all focus on
the idea of keeping your HP medicalcoverage. We've partnered with providers, so
this is doctors and hospitals, communitybased organizations the two counties riverside in San
Maurino Counties to really make sure toget the word out. And we've actually
(10:37):
created an entire team, a specificeligibility team that's available to folks in the
community to help support them if theyhave any questions, and they can simply
call. It's a toll free numberthat they can call and actually get information,
and that number is eight eight eighteight six zero one two nine six.
(11:00):
It's eight eight eight eight six zerotwelve ninety six, and folks can
call that number and our team willbe on standby to either help them through
the process if they got it,if they received a packet in the mail,
or if they even are just curiousabout you know, I haven't received
anything in the mail, but I'mon medical and I want to make sure
I keep my coverage. That teamcan actually go into the system and make
(11:20):
sure that they can share This isthe date that we think you're going to
get that packet in the mail,so be on the lookout for it.
Wonderful. Oh, that's great,that's really really great. I'm chatting with
Jared McNaughton. He's the CEO ofIEHP, and we are chatting all about
the medical renewal process. Now Ihave a question for you. What options
(11:41):
do members have if they're determined thatthey're just no longer eligible for medical.
Yeah, it's a great question.So that does happen, and of course
for folks, and we're thrilled thatfolks are actually receiving coverage through their employer.
Maybe they have a job now thatthey're making a little bit more money,
which is super cool where jazz forthem, But if somebody still would
(12:03):
really they need that coverage, theyneed some type of health coverage. We're
actually launching for the first time inour organization's history, something called Cover California,
called HP covered, and we're actuallygoing to be part of the Covered
California exchange in twenty twenty four andfolks can actually sign up to be part
of our HP covered health plan throughCovered California and where we just got word
(12:28):
that we're the lowest cost silver planin both counties and that means that we'll
be able to offer zero or verylow cost premiums to IE residents who might
lose their medical eligibility during the renewalprocess, but they still are eligible for
Covered California. And so this isbrand new for us too. I know
it's brand new for the community.We're super excited about that. But they
(12:52):
can call that same number that eighteight eight eight six zero one two nine
six number and folks on that otherline can actually we say, hey,
we don't think you're maybe eligible formedical, but we can get you into
Covered California or vice versa, andso they can. It's a really one
stop shop that folks can call andget all of that information to help them
out with. Okay, so yousaid the magic numbers. In my mind,
(13:16):
zero or low cost coverage is justincredible in my brain right now.
Yes, Wow, really excited aboutbeing able to offer that. And because
we are a local really entity that'shere to support folks that are right here
in the ie, we felt likewe needed to be that lowest cost silver
plan and to be able to offerzero or low cost premiums because we are
(13:41):
local entity created by the two countiesto serve the community. You hear that
Inland Empire, there is this numberof people who are going to fall out
of medical or they're going to dobetter. Right, their income is going
to grow by just a little bit, but just enough, right, just
enough to take you out of thatlittle window. And this is just such
a huge benefit. Very cool.Now, Okay, so tell me a
(14:01):
little bit more about Covered California becauseI think I even am a little confused
about how Covered California works. Whywould someone choose IHP Covered California plans?
Our state here in the state ofCalifornia, created something called Covered California.
Folks might be seeing television ads orbillboards for Covered California and it's a place
(14:22):
where if you go on to CoverCalifornia's website, you can see that you
can actually have a whole listing ofall of the different plans, the health
plans that are available to you ina particular region, and there are multiple
different health plans depending on where youlive, that are available to you.
We will now be on that.We are on it as of right now
(14:43):
that folks, if they go onto Cover California, they'll actually see as
an option IHP can be their healthplan of choice. And especially cool because
we are that lowest cost over plan, so it's the very best value for
the region and for the residents ofthe Inland Empire. And as I mentioned
before, everyone, what we're soexcited about is that because we're local and
(15:07):
we're right here in the IE,our goal is to serve as many of
those residents locally to help them findthose pathways to have affordable and very high
quality health coverage for them and theirfamilies. And so for us, it's
a brand new entry for us thatthe state has been asking us to do
this for nearly a decade, andwe finally this year said, you know,
(15:28):
it's really time to do that,especially with this very unique redetermination process,
so that people can either be inthe medical program, or if they
don't qualify for medical, like yousaid, maybe they just make a little
bit too much money, they'll actuallyqualify for Covered California, which provides a
tremendous amount of all kinds of differentrebate coupons, voucher programs that can actually
(15:54):
help to create that their premiums arezero. In many cases, there's no
cost at all. Man, thatis amazing. That's really it's kind of
blowing my mind. I have friendswho have children who are in IHP,
so through this plan now they couldbe eligible to actually be under the same
coverage right altogether. Yeah, that'sa really good point, because you know
(16:18):
what happens many times is that iffolks go through the redetermination process and maybe
the adults in the home are nolonger qualified for medical, their kids would
still qualify for medical, but theadults could actually qualify for Covered California.
And so to your point, theycould all be covered under the same entity
(16:40):
now, which was never available before, so that the kids still have HP
medical coverage and the adults have theHP Covered California coverage. And so it's
a really cool way to make surethat everybody in the home is covered by
HP their local health plan. That'sso great, Oh, I love to
hear that. Bringing the family altogetherunder one plan, to me is just
(17:03):
I think that's what everybody would love, right, the opportunity to know you're
all covered in general. Yes,that's right, that's exactly right. Oh,
I love it. Well, that'swhy it's called covering your health.
Yeah, so let's get into onefinal thing before we go. I want
to close the show with some finaltakeaways. Three final takeaways just in case
(17:25):
somebody missed something. You know thatthey can go, Okay, I got
my pen I'm ready. Now whatthere are the three things that I need
to know right now about this redeterminationprocess and Covered California. Yeah, no,
it's a great, great question.So top three things for folks to
know. Every Number one, everyonewith medical needs to renew now every year,
(17:48):
So please return your packet when youreceive it. We have that little
saying renew it or lose it,I mean, and that is literally what's
happening right now. So that's thebig point number one. Number two,
if you don't qualify for medical,you can actually sign up with HP through
Cover California at IHP dot org.And so folks can go to our website
at IHP dot org check out everythingthat is available through Covered California and really
(18:15):
some great resources on our brand newwebsite that was just launched here a few
weeks ago. And then number three, there are about almost two hundred thousand
people that are actually still uninsured inthe Inland Empire, and the state is
opening up coverage for all ages ofundocumented residents starting in January of twenty twenty
(18:37):
four, So regardless of your documentedstatus, you'll actually be able to have
coverage through the medical program. Andfolks can just simply call us at that
eight eight eight eight six zero onetwo nine six, and we can actually
work through all of those coverage issuesthat they have. And so we really
really encourage folks to call us atthat eight eight eight eight six zero twelve
(19:00):
ninety six because we'll be able tosupport them whether they're brand new coming through
on the undocumented residence starting in January, or whether they're folks that need to
have their medical redetermined, or theycan have the option of joining cover California.
It's a really great resource. That'sincredible, That really is I'm thinking
now there may be just somebody listeningright now, well maybe this doesn't even
(19:21):
pertain to them, but they havefamily members who may be undocumented, and
this is information they need to knowthis. You can be the vessel that
helps spread the word of what ishappening and why it is so vitally important
that they reach out to IHP dotorg and find out and find out if
they can get this kind of coverageso they don't have to be one of
(19:42):
the one hundred and eighty thousand peoplewho are going to be uninsured here in
the Inland Empire. Wow, boughton. You got it, that's right.
I am blown away. Jared McNaughton, thank you so very very much.
I appreciate you being the first guest. First off, Honor Yay,
you were here first so much.Thanks for having me. Thrilled you're doing
this for the community too. It'ssuper cool. I'm thrilled to be doing
(20:03):
it for the community, but I'meven more excited that I get to partner
with IEHP on this on this journey, on my own wellness journey as well,
and learning all of the things thatgo into really a big healthy family
and everyone's wellness journey is very important, no matter if you're through medical,
no matter if you're through Covered Californiaor whatever it is. We hope that
(20:27):
this particular podcast will be something andbring something to you and help you learn
and grow. Thank you so much, Jared McNaughton, the CEO of IEHP,
for chatting all about this medical renewalprocess and Covered California the redetermination I'm
put in air quotes right now.Thank you again for joining me. I
(20:49):
look forward. I hope you canjoin me again in another topic. I
know you're a vessel of knowledge.Oh, thank you, Evill and I
would love to anytime. And thanksagain for all that you're doing to share
such great insight for the community.It's just awesome. Oh, thank you
so so very much. Episode oneof Covering Your Health is officially in the
books. I hope you'll join usfor our next episode coming really soon.
(21:12):
I'm Evelyini Erivez take care of yourselfand take care of each other.
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