Imagine that it’s the middle of the night and you wake up with an itchy rash on your side. Your local urgent care centers are closed, but your situation is not an emergency that warrants a trip to the ER. You want relief from the itching and discomfort until you …
Open Enrollment in Covered California Begins November 15
Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, is getting ready for its second open enrollment, which begins November 15. By the end of the first open enrollment in early 2014, millions of Californians had enrolled in plans through the marketplace or through Medi-Cal, and millions more are expected to renew …
You May Be Able to Enroll in Covered CA outside of Open Enrollment
The open enrollment period for Covered California begins this November, but you may be able to enroll outside of this period if you have a qualifying life event. Medi-Cal has no restrictions on enrollment, and those who meet the financial qualifications can enroll at any time. What Are Qualifying Life …
Uninsured Rate Drops Dramatically among Latinos under New Healthcare Law
The findings of a report released by the Commonwealth Fund this week indicates that the uninsured rate of young Latinos aged 19-34 fell from 43% last year to 23% after the open enrollment period ended in June 2014. The drop in uninsured rates is due in large part to the …
Covered California Postpones Announcement of Insurers for SHOP in 2015
Covered California has delayed announcing which insurers will participate in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) until further notice. SHOP helps small business owners with fewer than 50 employees offer coverage to their employees. In an August 2014 board meeting, Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said an …
The Controversy over Prop 45 in California
Prop 45 is a California ballot measure that, if passed, would require that the state’s insurance commissioner (Dave Jones) approve any changes (including increases) to individual or small group health insurance rates. The measure would not apply to large group employer health plans, only to individual and small group plans, …
Covered California Launches 2015 Community Outreach Campaign
Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange, recently announced the launch of its 2015 outreach campaign aimed at those who are eligible for coverage in the marketplace. Individuals who do not have access to affordable employer-sponsored coverage are eligible for plans through Covered California. Depending on income, many will qualify …
Covered CA Attempting to Confirm Eligibility for Nearly 100,000 Enrollees
Covered California, the state-run health insurance exchange, is in the process of trying to acquire documents confirming the lawful presence in the U.S. of 98,000 consumers who enrolled in Covered California plans in 2014. Covered California has sent letters to tens of thousands of consumers with eligibility inconsistencies advising them …
Limiting Sugar Consumption Important for a Healthy Diet
Evidence continues to emerge about the negative health consequences of consuming too much sugar. The sweet stuff has now been linked to a host of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and even dementia. Part of the reason sugar has become so ubiquitous in the American diet has to do with …
Covered California Gearing Up for Open Enrollment
Despite glitches with the website and problems getting accurate provider lists, Covered California, the state-run health insurance exchange, exceeded its enrollment expectations by the end of the last open enrollment period. All in all, more than three million California consumers had enrolled in Covered California plans or Medi-Cal as of …