Your 5 Minute Guide to the California Health Insurance

If you only have 5 minutes to find your bearing in the California health market, this is it.





No wasting time...let's get to it!

The three different "markets" in California health insurance.

There are actually three distinct markets:

All completely different in rules, options, and rates.

Jump to the section that pertains to you for more narrowing!

Quick Note...Covered California or Obamacare is generally in the 1st section!

Individual Family including Covered California

This is health insurance you get for yourself.

Here are the main categories (with links to each type):

Let's jump to each section.

Individual and Family - Covered California or Medi-cal

Covered California and Medi-cal can offer financial assistance based on income.

That's the big deal there!

More information on the tax credit for Covered Ca here.

Quick Tip - If you qualify for tax credits, that's the way to go.

We can help you figure out the income piece and make the entire process easy.

We've enrolled 1000's of Californians in Covered California.

We know it inside and out.

Run your California health quote or call us at 800-320-6269.

Additional Guidance:

Quick Tip - You have to enroll during Open Enrollment (end of year) or if you have a Special Enrollment Trigger.

Common Special Enrollment Triggers:

Loss of eligible coverage

Marriage

Birth

Move that affects health options

If you can enroll and are eligible for a tax credit, this is the way to go.

Stop Looking and quote!

Medi-cal is offered based on income below a certain amount.

We're happy to help with any questions...there's no cost for our assistance at 800-320-6269 or by email.

We're certified Covered California agents!

You can access the online exchange enrollment here:





Individual and Family - Off Exchange

Some people who are NOT eligible for tax credits choose to go direct with a carrier (not through Covered Ca).

You can quote the off-exchange plans here:

Off Exchange Health Quote

One note..the plans, rates, and networks are identical on or off exchange (aside from the Silver plan).

It usually makes sense to just enroll on-Exchange since the process is a bit easier.

Short term health insurance

If you can't enroll on with off or on exchange plans (missed open enrollment), there is Short term health.

A comprehensive short term health insurance guide here.

Short term works well to cover gaps in coverage such as:

Health insurance between jobs

Missed open enrollment

Need to show proof of coverage quickly

Waiting periods for new coverage



You can quickly quote and enroll in short term health here.

Check out Short term health versus Covered California here.

Health Sharing

If you can't enroll (missed open enrollment) or can't afford unsubsidized ACA plans, health sharing may be an option.

Important resources here:

Health sharing is not health insurance but has become very popular.

We're happy to walk through how it works.

Employer based health plans for California Companies

First, there are two main types of "Group"Â health plans:

Small Business 1-100 employees

Large Group - 100+ employees

You can quickly run your California group health quote here.

For more guidance on how the market works:

Employer health plans have proven to be very popular with employees.

That's important with a tightening labor market.

You can always quote the full Employer health plan market here.

Individuals with Medicare

Also called senior health insurance.

We have quite a few Seniors in California!

Traditional Medicare has some big holes in it and there are two ways to address those:

Medicare Supplements (work like PPO's)

Medicare Advantage plans (the current HMO flavor in the market)

It's important to understand the difference between the two.

More detail here:

Get help with California health insurance

Okay...5 minutes is up!

Needless to say, you have a lot of questions.

You came to the right place:

There is zero cost for our assistance

We have 30+ years in the California health insurance market

We are Certified Covered California agents with 1000's of clients enrolled

We have no complaints with the Department of Insurance

Most importantly...we're just helpful.

Sounds silly to say that but it can be a rarity these days.

Call us at 800-320-6269 or email us with any questions.

How can we help you out?