FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Hundreds of California families could soon lose access to autism therapy at Go Behavioral LLC after the company said it learned through parents that it was being removed from CalViva Health’s provider network.
Go Behavioral Clinical Director Brendin Poe said the company first became aware of the change when a parent contacted staff after receiving a letter in the mail.
Hundreds of California families could soon lose access to autism therapy at Go Behavioral LLC after the company said it learned through parents that it was being removed from CalViva Health’s provider network (FOX26).
“I myself was contacted by a family or by a parent of, hey, we received this letter in the mail. Do you know anything about Calviva, about the contract ending with you guys? And I was like, no, we haven’t received anything,” Poe said.
Letters, dated July 8, informed parents: “Starting August 10th, Go Behavioral LLC will no longer be a contracted behavioral health provider with CalViva Health.”
Go Behavioral Clinical Director Brendin Poe said the company first became aware of the change when a parent contacted staff after receiving a letter in the mail (PHOTO: PHOTOJOURNALIST RONNIE GERBER).
Go Behavioral said that was also the first time the company had heard its contract was ending.
“Shortly after, an emergence of other letters started coming in and that’s when we saw, okay, this wasn’t just one family, it’s everybody that’s receiving this, who has insurance with CalViva,” he said.
Go Behavioral works with children with autism, providing behavioral therapy aimed at redirecting negative behaviors and teaching different communication methods and skills.
Poe said the work can be deeply meaningful for families.
The company said families received the July 8 letters stating Go Behavioral would no longer be an in-network provider starting Aug. 10, and that Go Behavioral was officially notified two days later (PHOTO: PHOTOJOURNALIST RONNIE GERBER).
“One of the best part of my jobs is really just having a parent come and sit down with me and say, ‘Hey, Brendin, I truly thank you for the service that you provided to my child,’” he said.
Go Behavioral HR representative Fahmi Dalie said the company has not received clear answers about what is happening.
“We haven’t been provided with a clear explanation on what’s going on from CalViva,” Dalie said.
Go Behavioral said the situation involves 270 families.
The company said problems began in May when billing issues with CalViva Health emerged, and that its CEO covered the cost of services for all 270 families while the issues were being worked out.
The company said families received the July 8 letters stating Go Behavioral would no longer be an in-network provider starting Aug. 10, and that Go Behavioral was officially notified two days later.
Go Behavioral said CalViva cited billing issues as the reason for the change, but leaders said they have been unable to get further explanation.
The company’s attorney maintains Go Behavioral remains under contract with CalViva.
With less than two weeks before services are set to end, families are still waiting for answers about what comes next and fear therapy could be disrupted.
“Just stopping that abruptly that could have and can be very harmful for the client,” Poe said.
In a statement, CalViva Health leadership said it’s out of their hands. “CalViva Health’s priority is ensuring members access to quality care. Go Behavioral was notified on July 10th by our Plan Administrator, Health Net, of issues that must be resolved within 30 days to avoid termination of its Health Net contract. If Go Behavioral does not maintain a contractual relationship with Health Net, it would no longer be able to serve CalViva Health members. We hope the organization will successfully address those issues with Health Net and continue serving CalViva Health members. At the same time, we are helping CalViva Health members understand their options so they can continue receiving services elsewhere if the issues are not resolved,” CalViva Health’s leadership said.
Go Behavioral leaders also said they are worried about the impact on employees, warning that losing that many families could mean job cuts.
“Give us the clear answer,” Dalie said. “Give us one clear answer, the families one clear answer.”
CalViva Health is a locally managed public health care plan that operates under the Medi-Cal managed care program.