Kevin Knauss: Health, History, Travel, Insurance
Posts related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and potential changes to the rules, primarily in California.
A rally at Congressman McClintock’s (R-CA) Granite Bay office featured Michelle Langbehn, a constituent of Rep. McClintock, speaking on how the federal government has interrupted her potential life saving cancer treatment from the National Institute of Health. Representative McClintock has been an early and ardent supporter of shutting down the federal government in an attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In an email correspondence to his supporters, Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA) made his usual pitch that the Affordable Care Act was an awful plague on America. The surprising aspect of the letter was that McClintock focused on another state while completely ignoring California. Doesn’t McClintock represent California any more?
While most people are thrilled with the ability to get affordable health insurance through Covered California, others are trying to avoid the premium free health insurance being offered. Specifically, some families and individuals are trying to figure out how to avoid having either their children or their family automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal. Inflating the income of the household is one way side step automatic enrollment in Medi-Cal health plans.
Beyond the well crafted TV commercials and print ads for Covered California are numerous volunteers that are “walking and talking” with total strangers to spread the news about the new Affordable Care Act health plans. People committed and passionate about health care reform from the Sacramento Mighty Oaks ACA Team are spending countless hours answering questions and handing out literature at libraries, community centers, neighborhoods and small businesses.
There were a total of 43,616 applications for health insurance started in the first week Covered California was open for business. An estimated 16,311 households were able to complete the entire enrollment process representing 28, 699 California residents. What Covered California did not release were the completed applications that were eligible for premium assistance and how many qualified for Medi-Cal.
With the launch of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, now more than ever, consumers who seek out the knowledge, professionalism and experience of a licensed insurance agent need to be reassured that they aren’t drinking from a poisoned glass. In a modest attempt to help guide consumers to agents who won’t engage in misrepresentation or questionable sales tactics, I have developed a pledge and code of conduct surrounding the sales of ACA compliant health plans by agents.
After giving presentations in Oroville and Chico, it was apparent that I should offer the educational seminar to other communities in Northern California that want to learn more about this new health insurance market place call Covered California. I am now offering presentations on the features and benefits of Covered California to large and small groups.
One of the biggest questions regarding eligibility for premium assistance or discounts under the new Affordable Care Act is what type of income must the applicant count? The Covered California CalHEERS enrollment website will have a drop down menu to prompt households on the type of income they should be entering for eligibility.
Provisions within the Affordable Care Act will reduce accidental pregnancies that are at a higher risk to be aborted. With the increased availability of no cost contraception to women, pregnancies will be planned and abortions reduced. In addition, the financial uncertainties of carrying a pregnancy to term will also be reduced as all health plans will cover maternity benefits.
KFF has develop this simple calculator to help people determine if they are eligible for a subsidy or advance premium tax credit for their health insurance costs. The calculator will work for all fifty states, but is not a replacement for the actual federal or state exchange where you reside.
