Every family is unique in their health care needs. There are situations when each family member may require a different health plan to meet their particular health challenges. Unfortunately, many families who enroll in a health plan through Covered California are unaware that not all the family must be on the same health plan.
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Birthdays bump up premiums when reporting a change to Covered California
Many Californians have realized that when they report a change to their Covered California accounts during the year they are hit with higher health insurance premiums. This occurs when the change reported is after a consumer’s birthday. Any change within the Covered California CalHEERS online enrollment program automatically triggers the application for health insurance to be resubmitted for an eligibility determination. The new eligibility is calculated as of the individual’s age at the time of the reported change.
Covered California considers advertising vision insurance plans
At the August 2015 Covered California Board meeting James DeBeneditti, Deputy Director of Plan Management, reviewed the options and challenges for offering vision insurance on the Covered California online enrollment website. The only viable option reported was to put a simple link on the Covered California website to vision insurance providers. For the inclusion of the hyperlink Covered California would charge $10,000 and take a 10% commission. The $10,000 implementation fee is essentially an advertising cost for the vision plan while Covered California acts like an unlicensed insurance agent collecting a 10% commission for selling vision insurance.
Covered California launches new small group marketing
Covered California has released a series of marketing videos to develop interest and drive sales to their small employer group plans. Formerly known as SHOP (Small business Health insurance Options Program), the small employer group offerings, authorized as part of the Affordable Care Act, has been re-branded as Covered California for Small Business. The small employer group marketplace exchange initially flopped as it was beset with an online application process that failed and subsequent management problems that resulted in billing nightmares for many clients. Fortunately, they seem to have righted the foundering small group boat at Covered California.
Covered California verification letters absent from member’s accounts
Covered California has been sending out a variety of letters notifying consumers that they must send in verification for such items as proof of income, citizenship and Social Security numbers. Unfortunately, these letters are not being reflected in the consumer’s Covered California Documents & Correspondence Summary section. Letters are missing from Summary section To date, […]
Agents push for class action law suit against Covered California
A group of Covered California Certified Insurance Agents have begun organizing the early stages of a class action lawsuit against Covered California for unpaid compensation. Led by John Dickey who earlier took Covered California to small claims court, the goal is to enlist enough health insurance agents with verifiable losses to establish a base for […]
Covered California funds Navigator program, cuts agent compensation
Covered California announced in mid-July they were awarding $10 million in grants to a Navigator program that performed poorly in 2015. Two weeks later Covered California sent out a letter to agents that they would no longer be compensated for assisting individuals and families who are determined eligible for Medi-Cal. For the 2015 open enrollment […]
Covered California slams Northern California with 44% rate increase
Covered California has released the preliminary health insurance rates for 2016 conveniently avoiding telling some consumers that they will see a 30% to 44% increase in their monthly rates. While Covered California was massaging the statistics to promote a statewide weighted average increase of only 4%, consumers enrolled in some Blue Shield plans in Northern […]
Covered California Renewal Tool Kit for 2016 enrollment
Covered California has released a list of new and updated documents to help Certified Insurance Agents and Certified Enrollment Counselors assist existing Marketplace exchange members renew their health insurance for 2016. The focus of the renewal tool kit is on consent for verification, immigration and lawful presence, consumers who haven’t filed a 2014 tax return, and […]
Covered California Income Tables
The income table shows the minimum amount of annual income to qualify for either Medi-Cal or tax credits for a private plan through Covered California. To view the monthly Medi-Cal eligibility income amounts please visit my Medi-Cal Page. Income table dated 2/2024 is in effect through the end of 2024 and reflects higher federal poverty […]