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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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.
If you're looking for health insurance click on the offers below. Don't wait until it's too late, as you may not be able to enroll in a plan or make changes to your current plan outside of the open enrollment period.
Updated February 14, 2023