California Health Insurance
There are many different types of California health insurance plans in the marketplace. It is our job to make the process as simple and efficient as possible.
To start researching the right plan for you, please click here.
California Health Insurance Facts
Here are some basic facts about health care in California:
- 7.5 million people have coverage through Medi-Cal
- Almost 9 million Californians do not have health insurance
Interesting Facts About Medicare
California has the largest number of Medicare beneficiaries of any state, currently at over 4.5 million enrollees. Over 79 percent have reported having at least two chronic conditions, while 37 percent reported having four or more. By 2030, the elderly population, over 65, is projected to be 8.5 million in California. Additionally, California is projected to have the fastest rate of growth in the over 65 segment. In the United States, there are currently over 45 million individuals enrolled in Medicare. So that means, California has about 10 percent of all individuals enrolled in Medicare.
What You Need To Know Before You Purchase Health Insurance
Obtaining individual health insurance is not an easy or simple process. There are many different individual components to understand. First, you have to know what the benefits offered inside the coverage really mean. Do you know the differences between co-pay and deductible? Do you know how much to spend each month? Does my plan cover maternity? And on and on it goes. Also, there are many different carriers out there that offer health insurance. It might be difficult to choose which carrier to go with and which one will have the best network. Doctors usually do not work with all the carriers as they usually have there select favorites. Also choosing between the different types of insurance will be complicated. For instance, should you get PPO or HMO. Or, does a HSA plan make sense for you. It is important to also know your health history so that may guide which type of coverage fits best. Taking all these into consideration is a tough task for anyone. Our website really makes the process simple. After you enter your information and get quotes, there are options that will help you filter down your results to make choosing a health plan easier. If you need to speak to us, we are here to help. Our insurance experts have many years of experience and will guide you through the process of choosing the right plan.
California Health Insurance Resources
California High Risk Insurance Pool
The State of California offers a high-risk pool program for consumers who might not qualify for traditional private health insurance. This program was set up primarily for individuals who have pre-existing conditions. Their are certain qualifications that must be met before you could apply for insurance through this program.
To learn more about the program and if you would qualify, please visit the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board website.
Consumer Guide To Health Insurance
This is a great resource for consumers to learn more about health insurance and all related services. Please visit the Department of Insurance consumer resource page to learn more about:
- Types of Health Insurance and How it Works
- COBRA vs Cal-COBRA
- Consumer Inquiries and Complaints
- Health Insurance Options
- Health Insurance Terms
California Insurance Carriers We Work With:
California Agencies and Departments
- California Department of Public Health - Dedicated website for the overall health and well-being of Californians. Great resource for health related certificates, documentation, licensing, publications, and information.
- California Health and Human Services Agency - Provides a range of health care services, social services, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment services, income assistance and public health services to Californians.
California Health Insurance Exchange
The California Health Benefit Exchange will help consumers and small businesses shop and compare affordable health insurance plans starting in 2014. California was the first state in the nation to enact legislation creating a health insurance exchange under the new federal health reform law.
The health insurance exchange will allow consumers to shop for health insurance and compare based on price, benefits, and carrier strength. Their will be a toll-free number for consumers to call if they need to ask questions about the health insurance plans.
Health Care Reform: Affordable Care Act
- Small Business Tax Credits. Over 500,000 businesses in California may qualify for business tax credit which would make providing health insurance coverage for their employees easier and less of a burden to the bottom line.
- Closing Medicare Part D gap. Medicare beneficiaries who hit the gap this year will automatically qualify for a $250 rebate check.
- New Consumer Protections. Health insurance companies can no longer place lifetime maximums for individual health insurance policy holders.
- Extending Coverage For Young Adults. Children can remain under their parents' policy until the age of 26. .
COBRA and Cal-COBRA
COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of Act 1985, and this act requires employers with group health plans to offer their employees the opportunity to continue health coverage after they leave their job. Read more here.
In The News: California Health Insurance
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March 16th , 2012:
Healthy San Francisco To See Changes In Wake Of Health Reform Law
Healthy San Francisco is a public health program in San Francisco that provide health insurance to residents who make too much income to qualify for Medi-Cal but not enough to afford private health insurance. The program was launched in 2007 and currently covers about 50,000 residents. In 2014, the health reform will require each state to have their health insurance exchange up and running. The exchange might take over the program that San Francisco has built.
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November 18th , 2011:
In California, Health Reform Nearly Impossible To Be Undone
The U.S. Supreme Court will be reviewing the health care reform in March and basically seeing if the new laws are unconstitutional. Many Americans have been claiming just that and are hoping that the reform is either changed or completely repealed. In California, many experts are saying that the state will move along as planned. Their are many uninsured Californians and a health reform repeal would do more damage than good. The entire purpose of the health care reform is to make health insurance more affordable.
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October 4th, 2011:
Covering Maternity Care In California
Last month state lawmakers passed two bills that would require health insurance carriers to include maternity coverage in comprehensive health insurance plans. Many individual health insurance plans do not cover maternity care and it is very expensive for someone to get quality care without the help of insurance. In contrast, group insurance plans do cover maternity. However, as the recession continues to hurt the economy and households around America, people will struggle to be able to afford individual health insurance and maternity care. This law will help maternity care be more affordable.
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September 9th , 2011:
Bill To Create Basic Health Program Delayed
A bill to create a health insurance program for low-income individuals has been delayed until 2012. the Basic Health Program was intended to provide health insurance for about 1/5 the price and also provide better benefits. Policymakers will need some time to get used to the new proposal and make sure the new program will not be too costly. Insurance carriers in California will be reimbursed probably at the Medicare rate, so it will not be as welcoming for carriers as it will for consumers. California already saw a delay for AB 52, a bill that would allow regulation for health insurance premium increases. Many experts think that the new health care reform will have many delays similar to this one.
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August 19th, 2011:
Opposition To Bill Regulating Health Insurance Rates Growing
Governor Jerry Brown and his officials are trying to shoot down Assembly Bill 52 which gives the state insurance commissioner and the Department of Managed Health Care power to control health insurance rate increases.
Jerry Brown cites that the main reason that he is opposed to this legislation is because of the increased costs associated with managing the new process. The only way they could enforce and manage the monitoring is to dramatically increase staff, and that would be very costly. Since health insurance carriers are constantly modifying rates, it would need constant oversight.
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August 12th, 2011:
California Health Insurance Cost Could Be Worse For Individuals
California health insurance for individuals is not as bad as people might think. California health insurance rates, when compared to the national average, is actually much lower. Californians pay an average of $157 per month for their health insurance, and the national average for health insurance is $215 per month.
The least expensive state for health insurance is Alabama at an average rate of $136, and the most expensive state is Vermont at around $400 per month. Most of the rates across the different states are determined by the age of the population and their overall health.
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July 28th, 2011:
California Health Insurers Agree To Cover Autism Therapy
California health insurance companies have agreed to cover initial costs of autism therapy for a period of at least six months. For many years now, California regulators have been pressuring California health insurance companies to cover Autism therapy. The health insurance companies have been resistance over the years, but finally agreed to commit to the benefits.
The initial treatments for Autism are known as applied behavior analysis and the insurers are agreeing to pay for those treatments. Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross of California have agreed to cover those costs as long as they are medically necessary.
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July 21st, 2011:
Health Insurance For People Who Can't Get It
California has a program for people who have been declined for traditional health insurance, it is called California's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP). PCIP is designed for people who have cancer, diabetes, asthma, or other health related issues that health insurance companies rate as too risky for private health insurance. The program works just like any other health insurance plan, you can visit doctors and hospitals, etc., and you are subject to coinsurance and most likely, higher deductible amounts.
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July 5th, 2011:
Health Reform Could Leave 220,000 California Kids Uninsured
According to the University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Health Policy Research, up to 220,000 immigrant children in California will be without health insurance starting in 2014. Because of the new health reform laws, many will not be eligible for obtaining health insurance in California. In 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will expand coverage to many individuals, but not to undocumented individuals who live in the United States.
Many of 220,000 would of qualified for the new Medi-Cal programs in 2014. However, because of the new guidelines that state you must be a documented resident or citizen, they will not qualify. If the immigrants have children who are citizens, then they may still qualify to obtain health insurance in California.
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