California’s health insurance providers offer a variety of plans for small businesses, self-employed individuals, and families, as well as child-only insurance plans.
A majority of people who visit our site are interested in Kaiser Foundation Health Insurance plans. We are more than happy to help families and businesses find the perfect plan for their needs and budgets, whether it’s a Kaiser plan, a Health-Net California plan, or any of the other California health insurance companies we work closely with.
Health Insurance California: FAQs
1. What if I don’t qualify for Medi-Cal, but I have a low budget to work with? This is very common right now, but your situation is not hopeless! Your family may make above the Medi-Cal income limits, but you feel like you can’t afford any other plan. We can help.
When you contact us, we will work closely with you to find a plan that fits your budget, whether it’s through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, or another California health insurance provider.
2. What if I am losing my current coverage? Our California health insurance experts will work with you to find a new plan as quickly as possible so that you and your family don’t have to go through a period of being uninsured.
3. What if I recently moved to California? Do I need new insurance? In many cases your insurance plan will change when you move from one state to another, depending on your coverage. For example, Kaiser Permanente plans are different according to region, so you should contact your provider to find out the details, especially if you’re on an HMO plan.
If, however, you’ve decided that you’d like to apply for a different plan altogether after moving to California, we’ll be happy to help you pick a California health insurance program that’s perfect for you and your family.
The best way to find out more about California health insurance plans and options is to contact us directly, by filling out the form on the right side of this page. We pride ourselves on our prompt responsiveness and thoroughness.
Health care reform is the phrase given to any type of changes made to the health care system, with the goal of creating a health care system that better serves the population.
What Is Health Care Reform in Today’s Context?
Currently, health care reform in the United States focuses on two laws recently passed: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
The health care reforms that will be implemented as a result of these laws can best be summed up as follows:
expanding Medicaid eligibility for people making up to 133% of the federal poverty level
subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400% of the FPL ($88,000 for family of 4 in 2010) so their maximum “out-of-pocket” payment for annual premiums will be from 2% to 9.8% of income
providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits
prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions
establishing health insurance exchanges
prohibiting insurers from establishing annual coverage caps
support for medical research
Some people are concerned about the costs associated with health care reform, while others praise it for creating improved accessibility to health insurance for people who have been denied or unable to purchase insurance because of cost prohibitions.
If you’d like to learn more about how health care reform will affect pre-existing conditions insurance, please check out our other blog posts and subscribe to our RSS feed for regular updates.
There may be several reasons you’d want to change your health insurance plan or provider. Perhaps you’ve realized that your plan offers more coverage than you need; maybe you’re switching to a plan with a higher or lower deductible. Whatever your reasons, switching providers or plans is relatively easy.
Change Health Insurance Plans
If you’re unhappy with your current individual health care plan, but you’d like to remain with the same provider, then we suggest contacting your provider directly to discuss your options. You might consider switching to an HSA or a plan with a higher deductible but a lower premium.
If your employer is making a company-wide health insurance change, then they will most likely take care of all the necessary steps; however, they might require you to fill out new forms. Make sure to check with your HR person to verify that you and your family have submitted all the necessary paperwork to maintain your coverage.
Change Health Insurance Providers
Your health insurance provider might not have a plan that fits your budget. In the current economic climate here in the U.S., we often encounter families that need a provider that can work with their limited finances.
Here at Medical Plan Quotes we’re experts in finding you a provider and a plan that fit into your budget. Whether you’re looking to change to a Kaiser Permanente plan, a Health Net California plan, or any of California’s other major providers, we have access to a myriad of health insurance plans and providers to help you make the right decision for your family.
Please fill out the contact form to the right to find out how Medical Plan Quotes can help you smoothly change health insurance plans or providers.
Starting in December of 2013, insurance providers will be precluded from refusing to insure you based on a pre-existing condition. Until then, however, the State of California provides pre-existing conditions insurance to qualified individuals through a federally funded plan, the California Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).
CA’s Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan
Information about PCIP
You can apply for the plan for yourself if you are over the age of eighteen, and for someone under the age of eighteen if you are the legal guardian.
In addition to being a California resident, you must have been uninsured for at least six months (including Medi-Cal), and you must have proof that you’ve been denied individual coverage within the last 12 months based on a pre-existing condition.
For more information, please visit the State of California’s PCIP website.
One of the most commonly searched topics in the health care industry is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, a bi-partisan effort signed into law by President Clinton. HIPAA was enacted primarily to ensure better access to health insurance, prevent fraud, and protect patients’ privacy.
HIPAA Laws and Regulations
Of particular interest to our clients are the HIPAA laws and regulations regarding purchasing a HIPAA health insurance plan. The following information comes directly from the California Department of Managed Health Care.
In order to qualify for a HIPAA plan, you must be able to answer yes to the following requirements:
Have you been covered by a health plan for the last eighteen months?
Was your most recent health insurance coverage a group plan sponsored by your employer?
Have you used up COBRA already, if you qualify?
Will you have no other coverage after your current plan ends?
In your previous plan did you pay all premiums? Were you honest with your health insurance company?
Remember: you have 63 days from the time your old plan ends to apply for a HIPAA plan. Make sure to apply before then so that your time without health insurance coverage is minimal. For more information about securing a HIPAA plan, please fill out the contact form to the right or contact us here.
Visit Ca.gov for complete details on HIPAA laws and regulations.
It’s our mission to keep health insurance simple, so we’ll do our best to post articles that help you understand the Health Insurance Industry and what it means for you.
California’s health insurance providers offer a variety of plans for small businesses, self-employed individuals, and families, as well as child-only insurance plans. 
