Health Exchange in California

Covered California is the board that oversees health exchange in California.  They are meeting for the first time since enrollment began to consider changes in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  Figures that were released by the board said there were more than 125,000 applications that they received, but the number of completed enrollments is thought to be somewhere around 16,000.  There is not reliable data available on all health plans, which is why Covered California executives say they have to prolong providing the public with ratings until October 2015.

The current debate is over the contract that Covered California had major health insurers sign, including Kaiser, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, and Anthem Blue Cross.  The contract states that upon enrollment in the ACA, insurance agencies have to cancel their current coverage if it is not compliant with the ACA. People are starting to make the transition to affordable health insurance and about 300,000 of the 900,000 people transitioning will be eligible for federal subsidies to help pay for their new coverage.  The goal of the ACA is to get the six million people who are currently uninsured enrolled. Insurance carriers must be compliant with the Affordable Care Act’s guidelines by the end of next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Covered California and Obamacare the same thing?

No.  Covered California is the new marketplace under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act where people can compare health coverage options.  You may even be able to receive financial assistance through Covered California to make health care even more affordable.  Obamacare (also known as the Affordable Care Act) is the term used to refer to the Affordable Care Act.  One aspect of the act implements new marketplaces like Covered California

What is Medi-cal?

Medi-cal is California’s health coverage plan for individuals who make $15,856 or less annually.  Medi-cal pays for health services for children and adults with low-incomes.

When does enrollment begin for Covered California?

Enrollment began on Oct.1, 2013 for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.  There is an open enrollment from Oct.1, 2013-Mar. 31, 2014.  If eligible for Medi-cal, the open enrollment doesn’t matter.  If you have a life-changing event such as, the birth of a child, loss of a job, marriage or divorce, you may qualify for “special enrollment”.  You would be eligible to enroll within 60 days of the life-changing event.

For more information about health care, feel free to contact us at Mertens Insurance or 1-888-503-7180. You can also come into one of our three locations in Lincoln, CA, Grass Valley, CA or Yuma, AZ. Follow us on Google+! All of our company family members are certified in Covered CA and want to help you better understand your options.