Aetna‘s answer to Obama’s health insurance reform is to discontinue individual health insurance services starting December 31 2013 in California.

Effective July 1, 2013, Aetna will no longer offer Aetna Advantage Plans for Individuals, Families and the Self-Employed in California.

California applications (online or paper) received by their underwriting department requesting an August 1, 2013 or later effective date will be closed and the applicants will be notified via mail.  Any California applications in process as of June 24, 2013, regardless of requested effective date, will be closed and the applicants notified via mail.

Why is Aetna making this change?

After reviewing their individual health insurance plans in California, Aetna determine that they can no longer meet their customers’ needs and remain competitive in that market. A number of factors were considered in making this decision. While it was a difficult decision, in keeping with the best interests of Aetna’s customers, they believe there are other insurers that can better meet their needs.

Impact to existing members

  • Coverage for all California Aetna Advantage Plans will end as of December 31, 2013.
  • If a member wishes to terminate their coverage prior to the dates noted above, they can contact the member services phone number on the back of their ID card.
  • Members do not need to take any action at this time. They will be able to maintain coverage under their current Aetna policy until December 31, 2013.

 

Aetna will continue to allow existing Aetna Advantage Plan members in California to add spouses and dependents to their plans subject to medical underwriting and applicable law. However, existing members will not be able to change plans.

How will individual members be notified of this change?

All existing policyholders will be notified by mail on or about June 20.

While Aetna will continue to administer their individual health insurance plan until the date noted above, policyholders are strongly encouraged to seek alternative health insurance coverage prior to their policy termination date to avoid a lapse in coverage.

At Solid Health Insurance Services we have alerted our Aetna client’s of this change, and we recommend to wait until October 1st so that we are able to compare the state exchange health plans with the private exchanges and pick the health plan, which best fits the individual and family needs.

We are sorry that we are loosing a strong competitor such as Aetna  in the individual  health insurance market in California.