Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help individuals and families shop for and compare health insurance plans. In this article, we will explore what Covered California is, how it works, and who is eligible to enroll.
1. What is Covered California?
Covered California is a state-run health insurance marketplace that offers a range of private health insurance plans to California residents. The marketplace allows individuals and families to compare different plans, including their costs and benefits, and choose the one that best fits their needs. Covered California also offers financial assistance to help lower the cost of premiums for those who qualify.
2. How does Covered California work?
To enroll in a Covered California health insurance plan, you must first create an account on the Covered California website. Once you have an account, you can compare different plans and see if you are eligible for financial assistance. You can then select a plan and enroll online or through a Covered California enrollment specialist.
3. Who is eligible to enroll in Covered California?
Covered California is open to anyone who lives in California and is a U.S. citizen or legal resident. You may be eligible to enroll in a Covered California health insurance plan if you:
- Are not eligible for other coverage, such as Medicare or employer-sponsored insurance
- Do not have access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance
- Are not currently enrolled in a health insurance plan
4. What types of health insurance plans are available through Covered California?
Covered California offers four levels of health insurance plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The level of plan you choose will determine your premium (monthly cost) and out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays, and coinsurance). In general, Bronze plans have the lowest premiums but highest out-of-pocket costs, while Platinum plans have the highest premiums but lowest out-of-pocket costs.
5. Is financial assistance available through Covered California?
Covered California offers financial assistance to help lower the cost of premiums for those who qualify. To be eligible for financial assistance, you must:
- Have a household income between 138% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
- Not be eligible for employer-sponsored insurance or other government programs, such as Medi-Cal or Medicare
Conclusion
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, created under the ACA to help individuals and families shop for and compare health insurance plans. The marketplace offers a range of private health insurance plans and financial assistance to help lower the cost of premiums for those who qualify. To enroll in a Covered California health insurance plan, you must create an account on the website and compare different plans to find the one that best fits your needs.