The new federal budget signed into law by President Donald Trump is expected to raise some health care insurance premiums and force millions off coverage, reverberating the most in lower-income families and communities that are already struggling. Trump’s new budget reduces spending for Medicaid — called Medi-Cal in California — by $1 trillion over the […]
Covered California
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Millions of Californians At Risk of Losing Health Coverage When Federal COVID Programs End
Millions of Californians could lose or transition into new health coverage as two federal programs that helped many keep or afford insurance are set to expire this year. Two to three million Californians could lose their Medi-Cal coverage, some as soon as this summer, after the federal government’s COVID-19 public health emergency ends, now scheduled […]
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As California Expands Medi-Cal, Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants Will Still Be Left Behind
Lucia Marroquin knows what it’s like to wait out pain in hopes that it will go away on its own. She is suffering from kidney stones and may need surgery. But because she lacks health coverage, her first question when she falls ill is always “how much will that cost me?” So when California officials […]
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Covered California Opens Special Enrollment Period Through May 15
Covered California is offering a special enrollment period for those who have anyone uninsured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through the agency from Feb. 1 through May 15. According to a release, the special enrollment period would allow uninsured people to sign up for coverage without needing to meet the normal qualifying life events, […]
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Covered California Extends Special Open Enrollment Deadline
Covered California announced that Californians without health insurance can still sign up for health care coverage through the service until the end of July. The current special-enrollment period is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and according to the press release, the most recent data shows that 175,030 people signed up for health care coverage between […]
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Covered California, Department of Health Care Services Open Special Enrollment Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Amid the COVID-19 national emergency, Covered California and the California Department of Health Care Services have united to ensure state residents losing employment will have a clear pathway to insurance through Medi-Cal or through Covered California. According to a press release, Covered California opened enrollment to any eligible uninsured residents who need health coverage. Anyone […]
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A Reasonable Ask
I place another log in the wood stove, sit down at my dining table, mug of hot coffee at my fingertips. The fire puts out a steady warmth. Windows fill three of the four walls of this great room and I wonder if the light leaking out from my lamp bothers the neighbors. I always […]
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UPDATE: Covered California Has Extended Deadline to Friday, Officials Say New Subsidies and Eligibility Requirements Are Available
UPDATE: The state has extended the deadline to sign up and receive Covered California coverage beginning Jan. 1 until Friday due to a surge in enrollment. According to a press release, “Covered California saw tens of thousands of people sign up for coverage” beginning late last week. “Open enrollment is full-steam ahead, and this year’s […]
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Newsom’s Move: Not Yet Health Care For All, But Health Care for More
It was way easier for candidate Gavin Newsom to endorse single-payer health care coverage for everyone than it is now for Gov. Newsom to deliver it. Yet hardcore advocates say they’re pleased with the moves he’s made thus far — even if it may take years to come to fruition. “This is a governor that is […]
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UPDATED: Nonprofit Sues Blue Cross Over Obamacare Networks
A Southern California nonprofit filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday alleging that Anthem Blue Cross misled millions of customers when rolling out its plans under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many enrollees on the hook for large out-of-pocket expenses. According to a report in the Sacramento Bee, the suit alleges that the insurance giant published inaccurate provider networks, causing many customers […]
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State Launches Insurance Investigation
Regulators have launched an investigation into whether Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California violated state law by misleading consumers with inaccurate provider lists, the Los Angeles Times is reporting this morning. The California Department of Managed Care has begun a review looking into provider access issues with the two insurance giants’ plans offered […]