Health Net Providing Special Assistance to Members and Providers Affected by Weather Events Statewide and Robin Lane Sewage Spill in Lake County

Health Net outlines emergency prescription, telehealth, behavioral health, and provider support measures for Californians affected by recent storms and a sewage spill.

Rhea-AI Summary

Centene (CNC) subsidiary Health Net is implementing special assistance for members and providers across California following Gov. Newsom’s statewide State of Emergency for multiple weather events and the Robin Lane sewage spill in Lake County.

The support applies to several emergencies from September 2025 storms through the September 2026 El Niño event. Impacted members can obtain emergency prescription supplies, including at out-of-network pharmacies when refill limits are suspended by calling Health Net at 1-800-400-8987. Behavioral health crisis support is available 24/7, and telehealth medical visits are offered at no cost when members cannot reach their primary care provider.

Providers in affected areas may call 1-800-641-7761 for help. Health Net will extend notification grace periods, waive prior authorization while keeping notification requirements, authorize out-of-network services when needed, and support replacement of medical equipment and suspended prescription refill limits for impacted enrollees.

Key Figures

Behavioral health support: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Behavioral health support

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Crisis support for members during declared emergencies

Key Terms

telehealth, durable medical equipment, prior authorization

3 terms

telehealth medical

"Health Net offers telehealth services at no cost."

Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services and consultations remotely using video calls, phone, text messaging, or connected devices to monitor and transmit medical information. It matters to investors because it can reshape how patients access care, lower costs, and create new revenue streams or risks for healthcare providers, insurers and technology companies—similar to how online banking changed financial services—while also exposing businesses to reimbursement and regulatory shifts.

durable medical equipment medical

"acute services, post-acute care, durable medical equipment (DME)"

Durable medical equipment (DME) includes long-lasting devices used to help people manage health conditions and improve mobility, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen machines. These items are designed to be reused and are often covered by health insurance. For investors, DME represents a steady market because demand remains consistent as populations age and healthcare needs grow.

prior authorization regulatory

"Waive prior authorization – however, our notification requirement"

Prior authorization is a process where a health insurance company requires approval before covering certain medical services or medications. It functions like a pre-approval step, ensuring that the treatment is necessary and appropriate before expenses are paid. For investors, understanding prior authorization is important because delays or denials can impact healthcare costs, provider operations, and the financial stability of related companies.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Gov. Newsom's declaration of a State of Emergency statewide due to weather events and a sewage spill across California, Health Net, one of California's most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans and company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), is taking immediate action to support those affected. The company's priority is ensuring both its members and healthcare providers have the resources they need during this critical time.

This release addresses several different emergencies:

• September 2025 storms in Imperial and San Bernardino Counties;
• December 2025 atmospheric rivers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta Counties;
• January 2026 Robin Lane Sewage Spill in Lake County;
• February 2026 storms in Glenn, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties;
• September 2026 El Niño event statewide.

Member Prescription Information

During a declared State of Emergency, impacted members have two options to secure an emergency supply of their medications:

1. Members can fill their prescription at the original pharmacy if it is open.
2. If the original pharmacy is not open, members can call Health Net at 1-800-400-8987. We will suspend refill limitations so they can get their prescriptions at an out-of-network pharmacy.

Coping Support for Members 

Members can call Health Net Behavioral Health Services for crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800-400-8987 (TTY: 711). This includes:

• Support to help them deal with grief, stress or trauma
• Referrals to mental health counselors, local services and telephone consultations

Members: Video Medical Appointments

If members cannot reach their primary care provider during a declared State of Emergency, Health Net offers telehealth services at no cost. Members can find appointment instructions in two places:

1. On the back of their Health Net ID card
2. On HealthNet.com after registering and signing in

Access to Social Services

To connect with local community resources, members can call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for help with:

• Emergency shelter, food and transportation
• Social services and financial assistance
• Legal guidance from verified agencies

Information for Healthcare Providers

During a declared State of Emergency, doctors and nurse practitioners may call Health Net at 1-800-641-7761 for assistance. To support these participating providers in affected areas, Health Net will:

• Extend grace periods for notifications, beginning on the admission date, for acute services, post-acute care, durable medical equipment (DME), medical supplies and home health care services
• Waive prior authorization – however, our notification requirement will remain in effect despite relaxed deadlines

In addition, Health Net will:

• Authorize out-of-network services if a contracting provider or facility becomes unavailable
• Grant post-admission notification approvals for impacted facilities.
• Accept updated clinical documentation for continued-stay reviews.
• Authorize the replacement of medical equipment or supplies.
• Suspend prescription refill limitations for impacted enrollees

Ongoing Support & Updates

As the situation evolves, Health Net may take further action to support members and providers. For the latest updates, visit HealthNet.com.

About Health Net

Founded in California more than 45 years ago, Health Net, a company of Centene Corporation, believes that every person deserves a safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status or current state of health. Today, we provide health plans for individuals, families, businesses of every size and people who qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. With more than 117,000 of our network providers, Health Net serves more than three million members across the state. We also offer access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services, employee assistance programs and managed healthcare products related to prescription drugs. We make these health plans and services available through Health Net, LLC and its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. Health Net and Centene employ more than 5,700 people in California who work at one of five regional Talent Hub offices. For more information, visit www.HealthNet.com.

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SOURCE Health Net, LLC

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Which emergencies are covered by Health Net’s special assistance measures?

The measures cover several declared emergencies: September 2025 storms in Imperial and San Bernardino Counties; December 2025 atmospheric rivers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Shasta Counties; the January 2026 Robin Lane Sewage Spill in Lake County; February 2026 storms in Glenn, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties; and the September 2026 El Niño event statewide.

How can Health Net members obtain emergency prescription refills during a State of Emergency?

Impacted members can fill prescriptions at their original pharmacy if it is open. If it is not open, they can call Health Net at 1-800-400-8987. The company will suspend refill limitations so members can obtain medications at an out-of-network pharmacy.

What behavioral health support is available to Health Net members affected by these events?

Members can call Health Net Behavioral Health Services 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-400-8987 (TTY: 711). Available help includes support for grief, stress, or trauma, referrals to mental health counselors and local services, and telephone consultations.

How can members access no-cost telehealth appointments during a State of Emergency?

If members cannot reach their primary care provider, Health Net offers telehealth services at no cost. Instructions for scheduling video appointments are on the back of the Health Net ID card and on HealthNet.com after registering and signing in.

How can members connect with social services such as shelter or financial help?

To access local community resources, members can call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for assistance with emergency shelter, food, transportation, social services, financial assistance, and legal guidance from verified agencies.

What support does Health Net offer healthcare providers in affected areas?

During a declared State of Emergency, doctors and nurse practitioners may call 1-800-641-7761 for assistance. Health Net will extend grace periods for notifications starting from the admission date for acute, post-acute, DME, medical supplies, and home health services, and will waive prior authorization while keeping notification requirements in place.

What additional flexibilities may apply for services and equipment during these emergencies?

Health Net will authorize out-of-network services if a contracting provider or facility becomes unavailable, grant post-admission notification approvals for impacted facilities, accept updated clinical documentation for continued-stay reviews, authorize replacement of medical equipment or supplies, and suspend prescription refill limitations for impacted enrollees.