Like any other state, consumers in California can get medical insurance through various government-sponsored programs and through independently buying from licenses private insurers.
The option for buying medical insurance depends upon the health status of consumers. Though there are many rules and regulations that have changed due to the implementation of healthcare reforms,
there are certain things that consumers in California need to know to help understand the insurance industry.
There are certain points that Californians need to know while they look to buy medical insurance or are looking to explore further options:
• If a consumer has a group insurance from the employer, he/she can't be denied or limited or charged more because of the health status. • California medical plans must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions.
• If a consumer gets sick, the insurers in California can't cancel the coverage.
• If the dependent child loses the student status due to illness, he/she may remain covered for up to one year.
• Consumers losing group health plan because of involuntary termination of employment that occurred between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, may be eligible for a federal tax credit that can help pay for COBRA or state continuation coverage premiums for up to nine months.
• Consumers losing coverage from a full insurance policy can buy and individual policy from the same company and they will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period.
• Consumers having difficulty obtaining individual medical insurance because of health condition may be eligible for Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP). There could be a new pre-existing condition exclusion period but there are limits on what a consumer can be charged for a MRMIP policy.
• The California Medi-Cal program also called Medicaid offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes.
Limits on protection provided by Health insurance in California
There are certain limitations imposed on the coverage and benefits offered to the consumers in California:
• Group health insurance can't be kept as same if the consumer change jobs. COBRA rights can be exercised to get coverage but the premium will be paid by the consumer.
• New group health insurance might not start right-away. Employers in California can impose waiting periods before consumers can have their medical benefits begun. HMOs can require affiliation periods.
• Consumers can have pre-existing condition exclusion period for some benefits if they join a group health plan that covers certain benefits that their old plan did not.
• Consumers might not get all the benefits of a group medical insurance plan if they work for certain non-federal public employers in California.
Companies offering Health insurance in California
