"We as Democrats have to be honest enough to acknowledge that coverage does not automatically mean adequate or timely care," said Democratic strategist Garry South, a longtime Newsom ally.

The drugstore giant will soon enter the California ACA marketplace, while it looks to acquire a primary care provider.

When employees do have questions, they can call a 1-800 number for customer service where they may be put on hold, sometimes transferred to another department.

The program gives employers an additional chance to identify operational errors and self-correct them after the plan has been targeted for audit.