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Blue Shield to mail Cal Index opt‑out letters to ~19,600 members; board says wording must be clearer
Summary
Blue Shield told the board it will mail an opt‑out letter to about 19,600 subscribers at Blue Shield’s expense. Commissioners and retiree representatives said the letter is confusing and asked staff to seek clearer language and to report back on opt‑out rates.
Blue Shield California told the Health Service Board on Aug. 4 it is preparing an opt‑out mailing to roughly 19,600 subscribers in the Blue Shield plan to explain how members can opt out of having their data collected by a third-party Cal Index entity.
Paul Brown of Blue Shield said the staged letter mailing will be paid by Blue Shield and will be distributed over several weeks. Commissioners and retiree representatives raised concerns that the letter’s wording could be confusing to members, might incorrectly imply retirees are being asked to join a program rather than to opt out, and that the opt‑out process is an opt‑out (members are included unless they opt out) rather than opt‑in.
Commissioner Ballensby said the letter "glosses over" board concerns and asked for follow-up reporting on opt‑out counts. Claire Zvonsky and other public commenters said retirees, many without easy internet access, need clearer mailings and direct outreach.
Board direction: staff and carrier representatives agreed to collect opt‑out response statistics and to invite a Cal Index representative to a fall forum for a fuller conversation about data usage and member protections.
Ending: Blue Shield will proceed with the mailing at its expense; HSS staff will monitor responses and report back to the board.
