Question: Why am I being asked to select a Primary Care Physician for a PPO plan? I thought the whole idea of a PPO is to be able to see any provider in the network.

Answer: Covered California believes that being matched with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) improves your health care. Having a PCP means you will have someone you can turn to for health care advice — whether it’s preventive care, treating common illnesses and injuries, or recommending a specialist when you need one.

When you renew your plan, your health insurance company will match you with a PCP, in part and when possible, based on the physician you have been seeing. If you have not been seeing a specific physician or are renewing with a new health insurance company, that company will match you with a physician as near to your home as possible. You can change this match AT ANY TIME by contacting your health insurance company.

Having a PCP does not change your PPO/EPO, but is an added feature. You may still access any provider, inside or outside the network for PPO’s and inside the network for EPO’s, and do NOT need a referral to access specialists.