California Health Care

Some Covered California enrollees will see their health plan costs increase in 2024, while others won’t experience any changes. Read below to learn about the expected rate changes in the upcoming year and how they may affect you.

A health plan rate refers to your plan’s cost — the premium you pay each month. The average health plan rate will increase by 9.6% in 2024. However, this is just an average, and rates vary significantly by region and insurance provider.

For instance, Imperial, Inyo and Mono counties will see an average 15.8% increase in Covered California plan costs. By contrast, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Solano counties will see a 6.5% increase on average.

Rates vary by provider, too. Blue Shield of California will have the highest average increase of 15%, while Aetna CVS Health will see the lowest average increase of 0.2%.

Many different factors contribute to higher health plan costs, including:

Despite the jump in premiums, many Covered California enrollees won’t see any...

Posted: December 20th, 2023

In 2024, more Californians will have access to Aetna CVS Health and Health Net. Read about the changes below, and if you have any questions, give us a call.

Aetna CVS Health joined Covered California in 2023. The company offers affordable individual and family health plans that are compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ACA-compliant plans cover 10 essential benefits after the deductible is met, such as emergency services and hospitalization.

Currently, Aetna is available in these counties:

In 2024, Aetna CVS Health will expand services to the following counties:

Health Net is another option for affordable individual, family and Medi-Cal health care coverage. It’s the only Medi-Cal plan offering dental coverage in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties.

Health Net’s individual and family plans are called Ambetter plans. These plans are available through Covered California in the following counties:

Note that Health Net is only available in certain zip codes in some of the a...

Posted: December 13th, 2023

Oscar Health has decided to leave Covered California in 2024 for financial reasons. If you’re currently enrolled in an Oscar plan, you can select a new plan during a special enrollment period. You can also choose a new health insurance provider during the regular enrollment period, which starts in November.

Do you have questions about your Oscar coverage or health insurance in general? Our agents are here for you. Call us today for answers.

Oscar is a health insurance company headquartered in New York City. It was founded in 2012 and is known for offering a user-friendly mobile app and 24/7 virtual care.

The company joined Covered California in 2016. Its California branch is called Oscar Health Plan of California.

Currently, Oscar serves over 31,000 Californians.

Oscar is leaving Covered California to increase profitability, but the company hopes to reenter the market in the future.

Oscar’s California members represent a small percentage of Covered California enrollees. Its lo...

Posted: December 6th, 2023

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is a wellness-focused, Medi-Cal managed care plan serving residents in the Inland Empire (IE) region. It was established in 1994 as the region’s Medi-Cal plan. Today, IEHP also offers metallic plans, including a low-cost silver plan, through Covered California for individuals who aren’t eligible for Medi-Cal.

IEHP is known as a health insurance provider that cares about its community and improving access to quality health care. It provides zero-premium or low-cost plans to eligible individuals. IEHP offers advantages such as:

IEHP is one of the largest Medicaid health plans in the country. It also offers Covered California plans.

Currently, IEHP is only available to residents in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Residents of these counties can consider three different types of IEHP coverage:

IEHP is not the same as Medi-Cal — but they work together. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program that provides services and benefits through dif...

Posted: November 29th, 2023

Since the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is no longer in effect, many programs that federal and state governments used to help individuals and families during the pandemic have also ended. Some of these programs, such as California’s Medi-Cal continuous coverage plan, helped ensure residents kept their Medi-Cal benefits during the crisis. Now that the pandemic is over and programs like the continuous coverage plan are “unwinding,” many Californians are being redetermined as ineligible for Medi-Cal and needing to switch to a new health insurance plan under Covered California.

If you’re one of the many transitioning from Medi-Cal to a Covered California health plan, keep reading. We’ll explore the unwinding of the continuous coverage plan and what you need to do to stay covered.

In short, the federally declared COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) led California to create a plan to help residents maintain health insurance benefits during the crisis.

It began in January 2020 ...

Posted: November 15th, 2023

Dental insurance is a lot like your health plan — you pay a monthly premium and visit a dentist in your network. Just like health insurance, dental insurance can reduce your overall expenses and help you catch problems early. It also supports more than a beautiful smile. Dental care protects your general health and reduces the risk of conditions like heart disease.

Dental insurance usually covers the total cost of preventive services, like routine exams and cleanings. If your dentist determines you need to get work done, you can expect to pay a deductible and a portion of the procedure.

Each dental insurance plan is different. Before you see a dentist, review your policy and find out how much you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket. It also helps to ask your dentist for an estimate before you get treated so you know what to expect.

The following terms can help you understand your dental insurance plan:

Dental insurance is usually available through an employer or health insurance exchange....

Posted: November 8th, 2023

Long-term care is essential for many Californians, regardless of insurance status. This type of care goes beyond medical attention, and includes daily help with everyday tasks. It’s important to understand the ins and outs of long-term care, including the fact that individuals of any age may need this support. Explore the details about long-term care, including what it is, who needs it, criteria for this care and coverage options to consider.

Long-term care focuses on daily support for those with disabilities, illnesses or cognitive impairments. This type of care can include many services, from help with basic personal tasks to specialized medical attention. Overall, long-term care goes beyond traditional medical care to ensure individuals can maintain their dignity and a high quality of life.

While short-term care concentrates on acute medical requirements, long-term care recognizes the need for more specialized care that considers the bigger picture of an individual’s health and w...

Posted: November 1st, 2023

Medicare is a popular health insurance option for older adults, with 18.4% of the U.S. population choosing Medicare coverage. As an older adult, you know how critical health care is for your peace of mind and quality of life. Medicare supplement plans can be a significant advantage in helping you navigate gaps in your Medicare coverage.

There are many reasons to choose a Medicare Supplement plan, and many options to suit your unique lifestyle and requirements. Before you decide whether a supplement plan is right for you, it’s best to understand your options and what benefits you can expect.

Medicare Supplement health insurance — or Medigap — is additional insurance you can purchase from a private health insurance company. As the name suggests, it helps you fill your coverage gaps in your policy by paying toward your portion of out-of-pocket costs in Medicare. In other words, supplemental health insurance lets you go beyond your primary medical coverage and seek the treatment yo...

Posted: October 25th, 2023

A waiting period in health insurance typically refers to the time between beginning a new job and waiting for your benefits to take effect. They can be frustrating and impact coverage, even resulting in fines in some states if you’re not careful.

A health insurance waiting period can refer to more than one thing, such as:

Employees have to wait a little while before they can use their benefits after starting a new job or enrolling in a different plan. The waiting period refers to the length of time when the employee doesn’t have access to some or all of their benefits. Not every employer has a waiting period, but many make employees wait up to 90 days before accessing health coverage. Fortunately, the government ensures the waiting period is no longer than that — 90 days is the maximum amount.

Many things affect your waiting period, including your insurance carrier, insurance plan and employer. Always check for a waiting period before accepting a new position. You typically can’t...

Posted: October 18th, 2023

Imagine waking up one morning with a throbbing headache and a persistent cough. You’re unsure if it’s just a common cold or something more concerning. That’s when you realize the importance of having a primary doctor by your side. But what exactly does a primary doctor do?

Let’s explore the crucial role of primary doctors, learn the distinctions between primary care and family doctors and discuss why having a primary care doctor is essential for your well-being. From diagnosing and treating common illnesses to managing chronic conditions and promoting preventive care — they play a vital role in keeping us healthy.

A primary care physician (PCP) is a doctor who specializes in providing primary care services and plays a crucial role in keeping you healthy. They’re the go-to doctor for your everyday medical needs. PCPs look at the bigger picture. They don’t just treat symptoms, they focus on your medical history, lifestyle and overall well-being. This means they manage your...

Posted: October 11th, 2023

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.