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Covered California: Pros and Cons

Written by Qanaria Team
Updated February 14, 2023

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Discover the pros and cons of Covered California, the state-run health insurance marketplace for California residents created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Covered California is the state-run health insurance marketplace for California residents, created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. The marketplace offers a variety of health insurance plans, including private plans and Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of Covered California, including the most recent updates to the marketplace.

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Pros of Covered California

Affordable Coverage

Covered California offers a variety of health insurance plans, many of which are subsidies by the government. These subsidies can greatly reduce the cost of health insurance for low- and middle-income individuals and families.

Medi-Cal Expansion

Covered California has also expanded access to Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. This means that more low-income individuals and families can now access affordable health coverage.

Easy to Use

Covered California has a user-friendly website that allows individuals and families to easily compare and enroll in health insurance plans. The marketplace also offers assistance in multiple languages and has in-person help centers located throughout the state.

Consumer Protections

Covered California plans must cover certain essential health benefits, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. Additionally, the marketplace does not discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Cons of Covered California

Limited Provider Networks

Some Covered California plans have limited provider networks, which means that individuals may not have access to all of the doctors and hospitals that they want.

High Out-of-Pocket Costs

While Covered California plans may have lower monthly premiums, they may also have high out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copays.

Limited Plan Options

Covered California only offers a limited number of health insurance plans, which means that individuals and families may not be able to find a plan that meets all of their needs.

Open Enrollment Period

Individuals and families can only enroll in a Covered California plan during the annual open enrollment period. Outside of this period, they may not be able to enroll in a plan or make changes to their current plan.

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Affordable Care Act covers medical, vision & dental costs for FREE to Uninsured Americans who earn Less Than $50,000/Year.

Summary

Covered California is a state-run health insurance marketplace that offers a variety of health insurance plans, including private plans and Medi-Cal. The marketplace has many pros, such as affordable coverage, Medi-Cal expansion, easy to use, and consumer protections. However, it also has cons, such as limited provider networks, high out-of-pocket costs, limited plan options, and an open enrollment period. The recent updates to the marketplace have been made to help the citizens who have been hit by the pandemic, by waiving penalties for non-coverage under the Affordable Care Act for 2020 and 2021, and the open enrollment period for 2021 runs from November 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021.

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