This demo reel includes three selected reports from the UN-Covered California series – produced by KPIX reporter Julie Watts. Click here to browse a more comprehensive playlist of the year-long “UN-Covered California” series.
“UN-Covered California” began with a single complaint about doctors refusing to accept insurance policies purchased on the state’s ACA health insurance exchange. It evolved into in-depth continuing coverage spanning more than 30 reports over the course of a year.
Initially, “UN-Covered California” exposed a widespread practice of bait & switch by the two largest insurers on the state’s ACA Health Insurance exchange.
Then, as many struggled to find a doctor to accept their new insurance, the ongoing coverage revealed insurers were violating state law by including too few in-network doctors in their ACA plans.
Next, public records revealed state regulators weren’t investigating complaints or enforcing state law. We also uncovered that Covered California was not tracking the thousands of complaints it was receiving.
Ultimately, two new laws were passed due—at least in part—to the findings in these reports. Additionally, Covered California permanently disabled a significant portion of the insurance exchange website and launched a PR campaign warning Californians not to rely on provider directories when selecting plans.
Eventually, state regulators launched their own investigation and confirmed insurers were knowingly violating state law. The insurers have now been forced to dramatically expand their network of ACA doctors.
To date, this ongoing coverage has prompted more than 400 viewer calls and emails—many of them regarding serious violations of state health insurance law. In addition to reporting on problems, KPIX became a conduit for assistance, personally responding to nearly every viewer and facilitating urgent medical resolutions for many.
“UN-Covered California” was honored with an Emmy® Award for Continuing Coverage and the prestigious National Press Club Award for Consumer Journalism.