Covered California Insurance Options

For a small business, navigating health insurance can seem confusing at first glance. There are many options available for insurance plans and tons of rules to sort out.

If your company lacks a human resources department, figuring out health insurance can become part of your job as an owner. You will need to educate yourself on small business health insurance options and everything you need to consider before purchasing a plan.

Providing medical coverage might be one of the best things you ever do for your company and employees alike. Learn more about how it all works with this insurance guide for small businesses.

Many small businesses choose to provide their workers with health insurance. There are some important considerations for finding the best plans for your team. When shopping for coverage, you must understand your employees’ needs and budgets.

Because every company’s needs are unique, finding the right plans can take some time. This is why every small business owner interest...

Posted: March 17th, 2022 under Covered California Insurance

Health sharing plans are a way for people with similar faiths and beliefs to pool their money, helping members cover their medical expenses. These plans differ from insurance in many ways, and membership in these nonprofit groups comes with both advantages and disadvantages.

Learn the basics of health sharing plans, including the types you may encounter, their advantages and disadvantages and when a health share plan may be the right choice for you.

Traditional insurance plans, provided by companies or government programs, offer guaranteed payments under predefined conditions. Health share plans, on the other hand, are healthcare funding co-ops. These programs are typically faith-based, with members who share a common set of practices and beliefs.

Also known as medishare plans or health sharing ministries, health share plans are nonprofits that serve as alternatives or additions to traditional insurance. Members’ monthly contributions create a pool the group can draw from to help cover...

Posted: February 17th, 2022 under Covered California Insurance

Preventive care includes healthcare services and procedures that are intended to prevent illness, injury or disease. The goal here is to catch and treat smaller health conditions before they become serious health risks. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) mandates preventive care be free on most healthcare plans to help remove cost barriers and make essential care available to everyone.

Free preventive care means the eligible services aren’t subject to your deductible and there won’t be copays for them. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if your healthcare plan is grandfathered or isn’t regulated by the PPACA, like short-term plans, or if a doctor isn’t in your network, preventive care may not be free.

So what counts as preventive care? The following treatments typically count:

There are extensive lists of preventive care treatments specifically for children, women and adults in general. Over time, these lists are subject to change, and hea...

Posted: January 15th, 2022 under Covered California Insurance

Choosing a health insurance plan can be complicated. You have to consider many different aspects of the plan and the medical care you typically need. Picking the right plan gets you the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.

If you need help choosing a health insurance plan, learn your options and other considerations to make.

You may not be familiar with some of the common terms you’ll come across while searching for health insurance. Here’s a quick health insurance plan glossary to get you started:

There are various health insurance plans that have different advantages and disadvantages. These are general descriptions of each plan, so keep in mind that the details may vary depending on your specific options. The most common plans are HMOs and PPOs, but other types may be better for you.

Compare health insurance plans to understand what’s available:

An HMO plan often has lower premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs but fewer provider options. Healthcare providers and med...

Posted: January 1st, 2022 under Covered California Insurance

Medicare users may find high costs or areas in their plans where they don’t have coverage. Because of these gaps, individuals can seek out Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans to help fill in areas with little range and decrease their costs. Because you can only use one program, knowing which one works best for you is essential.

It is important to identify what Medicare itself covers for those considering additional Medicare services. Medicare’s policies break down into three different parts, labeled each by a different letter:

Standard Medicare services include Parts A and B, and users can elect to have Part D when they initially sign up for Medicare. However, signing up late for Part D can result in fees.

While Medicare is a fairly comprehensive plan, it does not cover all users’ services. Individuals under Medicare must still pay for 20% of their medical bills, and there is no price ceiling to how much they can pay in one year, resulting in high costs for some indiv...

Posted: December 20th, 2021 under Covered California Insurance

Open enrollment in California lasts through January 31, 2022, for coverage in 2022. If you need a new health insurance plan or want to switch from one plan to another without having a major life change, open enrollment is the time to do it.

There are often some changes in health insurance options and costs from year to year and 2022 is no different. Take a look at what’s changing in California this year and what’s staying the same.

In 2022, you can expect to have more choices when it comes to health insurance plans. How much you pay for a policy and how much you get from a subsidy are also likely to change this year. Let’s look at the changes and how they might affect you.

Your health insurance premium is how much you pay for coverage monthly. Insurance premiums are based on several factors, including your age, location and the type of insurance policy you buy. Whether you smoke or not also affects your premium. Tobacco users typically pay higher insurance premiums than non-smokers.

Posted: December 10th, 2021 under Covered California Insurance, Apply with Covered California

You’re protected against high medical bills and unexpected health care costs when you have health insurance. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) came into law in 2010, qualified health insurance plans need to provide a certain amount of coverage.

Preventative care needs to be covered without you paying out-of-pocket. Plans also need to have an out-of-pocket maximum to keep healthcare costs under control.

The ACA also introduced the concept of a tax penalty if a person doesn’t purchase an insurance plan. Since the rules about health insurance tax penalties have changed since the law went into effect, it’s essential to understand what you might have to pay if you decide health insurance isn’t for you.

Under the ACA, people who didn’t purchase health insurance or otherwise have insurance coverage were responsible for paying the individual Shared Responsibility Payment. Eligible individuals paid the fee when they filed their federal tax returns.

How much a person paid was based on...

Posted: November 30th, 2021 under Covered California Insurance, Apply with Covered California

Dental insurance is a must if you want to protect your teeth and gums. With a dental plan, you can ensure that you receive the regular cleanings and exams your mouth needs to stay in the best shape possible.

It’s important to have dental insurance to manage the costs of dental care and ensure everyone’s teeth are in excellent shape year after year. It’s also essential to find the right coverage for you. Knowing what options are out there and getting guidance from a professional team can help you find an insurer you can count on. At Health for California, we find providers that suit your needs.

Generally, dentists recommend getting a dental checkup every six months. Dental insurance usually fully covers the costs of a dental exam, cleaning and x-rays, which can be particularly helpful if you are paying for your dental care and that of your family members. Dental coverage provides the cushion you need to handle these ongoing expenses.

While twice-yearly appointments are the gold stand...

Posted: November 20th, 2021 under Covered California Insurance, Apply with Covered California

Understanding health insurance requirements and terms can be confusing for many people, especially young millennials in their 20s trying to figure out how to best insure themselves for the first time. By conducting careful research and seeking help from resources, you can work toward choosing a health insurance plan in your 20s. 

Under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can stay on your parent’s health insurance plan until you reach 26. Regardless of your marital status, parental status, education level or tax bracket, you are eligible to use your parent’s health insurance until your 26th birthday — you can even live away from home or study at a university during that time. It is important to have a policy lined up to continue receiving healthcare coverage after turning 26. 

When choosing a health insurance plan, you need to know what you are paying for. Many studies have determined that Americans generally have little understanding of their health insurance plan...

Posted: November 1st, 2021 under Covered California Insurance

Free health insurance in California will become a reality starting on January 1, 2022. Through the California State Exchange, some consumers (based on income and household size) will be able to purchase plans with a $0 per month premium.

Up to this time, the lowest priced plans through Covered California have been $1 a month. Starting next year, for the first-time, qualified Californians will be able to get health insurance for free.

California legislation AB 133 allows for the State of California to pay the $1 PMPM (per member per month) premium that federal law excludes. This legislation passed in Sacramento on July 15, 2021. It was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom twelve days later on July 27, 2021.

Thus, the State of California will be paying the $1 PMPM in 2022 for Covered California enrollees. This new financial assistance will be called the “California Premium Credit”.

Posted: August 20th, 2021 under Covered California Insurance

Not sure how Obamacare affects your health care plans in California? Learn how the ACA works in California, including benefits, costs and enrollment.

Covered California is the Golden State’s official health exchange marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses can find high-quality, low-cost California government health insurance.

Learn about Obamacare income guidelines in California using our income limits chart, and see if you’re eligible for government assistance.

Learn about the Covered California website. Find easy online enrollment. Set up your account, log in, buy insurance and more on the California health marketplace website.