Covered California Open Enrollment

The only Open Enrollment Period for 2015 Covered California health insurance plans is just around the corner. It starts Saturday, November 15, 2014 and ends February 15, 2015. All plans, written after March 10,2010 are ObamaCare or Affordable Care Act compliant.

Covered California is a part of the state of California and was created to help you get health coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones. Having insurance can ensure your access to medical care if you get sick or are injured, so that you can keep your body healthy, but it also protects your piece of mind, because you can rest assured that you will have help when you need it most.

By law, your coverage can't be dropped or denied if you have a pre-existing medical condition or if you get sick. You may even be able to get financial assistance through Covered California to make your health coverage more affordable.

Covered California also offers a special enrollment option for those who experience a life-changing event (such as getting married, having a child or moving) and need to enroll outside of Open Enrollment. Medi-Cal enrollment, for those with qualifying incomes, is available year-round.

If you feel you qualify for a subsidy, the plan can only be created and applied for on the Covered California site by you or your agent. I am a Certified Covered California agent and it would be my pleasure to help you choose the best plan for your needs. I represent many carriers to help give the choices you need that will give you confidence and piece of mind.

Even those who are healthy, today, benefit from having health insurance. It's impossible to predict whether you'll get sick or have an accident. With the average cost of a three-day hospital stay priced at $30,000, it doesn't make sense to take the gamble of going without health insurance, particularly if you find it at an affordable price.

A question was raised on the Jimmy Fallon show recently; "which would you rather have Affordable Care Act Insurance or Obamacare?" Most answered "Affordable Care Act Insurance because it is more affordable." Affordable Care Act Insurance and ObamaCare are one in the same, just another example of misinformation and confusion by so many Americans. All health insurance today is ObamaCare insurance due to it all having to be compliant.

There are four basic levels of coverage: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. As the coverage increases, so does the monthly premium payment, but the cost when a person receives medical care is usually lower. Or clients may pay a lower monthly premium, which means that when they need medical care, they will pay more. For example, if a client chooses the Platinum plan they will pay a higher premium but the cost of their care will be less.

All new health insurance plans must cover preventative care and medical screenings, like mammograms and colonoscopies as well as women's services such as breast-feeding support, contraception and domestic violence screening. There is no charge such as copayments, coinsurance or deductibles for these services.

These plans must cover 10 Essential Health Benefits such as ambulatory patient care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitation and habilitation services and devices, lab services, preventative and wellness services and chronic disease support, and children's services, including dental and vision care.

Starting in January 2014, most adults will be required to have public –such as Medi-Cal or Medicare- or private health insurance or pay a fine. The fine becomes more costly over a three-year period. In 2014, the fine will be 1 percent of yearly income or $95 per person, whichever is greater. For adults with children, the fine for lack of coverage for the child is $47.50. By 2016, the fine will be 2.5 percent of income or $695 for an individual, $2,085 for a family, whichever is greater.

I am available at Marty Pay Insurance Agency (Farmer's Agency) at 121 East F Street, Tehachapi, Ca and may be reached by cell phone 661-304-4695 or at the office 661-822-3737 or drop me a note via email [email protected]. I look forward to meeting you and will serve you with compassion and integrity.