Is L.A. Care different from Covered California?

Asked by: Skyla Ebert  |  Last update: January 3, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (19 votes)

L.A. Care Covered is our Covered California™ marketplace health plan. We are proud to offer the most affordable health plans in Los Angeles County across all metal levels during Open Enrollment. If Open Enrollment is closed, we offer special enrollment for those who qualify.

Is Covered California the same as L.A. Care?

L.A. Care is one of 12 carriers offered on California's State Exchange - Covered California.

What is the difference between L.A. Care and Medi-Cal?

L.A. Care is the health plan for Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles County. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works with L.A. Care to provide your Medi-Cal health care.

What type of insurance is L.A. Care?

L.A. Care offers a Medi-Cal plan built with our community in mind. Medi-Cal is a public health care program for those with limited income. This free or low-cost public health insurance program pays for medical services for eligible California residents.

What is the difference between Medi-Cal and Covered California?

Medi-Cal offers low-cost or free health insurance to eligible Californian residents with limited incomes. Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace where Californians can shop for health plans and access financial help if they qualify for it.

LA Care vs Health Net! Covered Ca and Medicare Market's EXPLAINED!

27 related questions found

Can you have both Medi-Cal and Covered California?

You can also call your local county office. Did you know? It is possible for members of the same family to qualify for both Medi-Cal and Covered California.

Who is not eligible for Covered California?

Who is Not Eligible for Covered California? If you are not lawfully present in California, you are not eligible for a Covered California plan. However, you can still apply through Covered California to find out if you are eligible for Medi-Cal or to find coverage for family members who are lawfully present.

Is L.A. Care only for low income?

The Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (L.A. Care) is a public agency that provides health insurance for low-income individuals in Los Angeles County through four health coverage programs including Medi-Cal.

Why is L.A. insurance so expensive?

There are many reasons why car insurance in Los Angeles is expensive, including the high number of cars on the road, population density and car accident and theft rates. Minimum-coverage car insurance in LA costs 49% more than the California average and 33% more than the national average.

How good is a L.A. Care Health Plan?

L.A. Care Health Plan is the highest-rated Medi-Cal managed care plan in Los Angeles County, as shown by the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2019–2020.

How do I switch from L.A. Care to Medi-Cal?

You can leave L.A. Care and join another health plan in your county of residence at any time. To choose a new plan, call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY: 1-800-430-7077 or 711). You can call between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Does L.A. Care have a copay?

Aside from the monthly premium, you may be responsible for paying a charge when you receive a covered service. This charge is called a copayment and is outlined in the Summary of Benefits. If you review your Summary of Benefits, you'll see that the amount of the copayment depends on the service you receive.

What is the best Medi-Cal health plan in California?

Kaiser Permanente is also the only Medicare health plan in California to receive a 5-star rating, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' 2023 Medicare Star Ratings.

Are Medi-Cal and L.A. Care the same?

L.A. Care offers a Medi-Cal plan built with our community in mind. Medi-Cal is a public health care program for those with limited income. This free or low-cost public health insurance program pays for medical services for eligible California residents.

Is Blue Cross part of L.A. Care?

Medi-Cal Managed Care (Medi-Cal)

are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. Blue Cross of California is contracted with L.A. Care Health Plan to provide Medi-Cal Managed Care services in Los Angeles County.

Who covers for Covered California?

Any Californian can get health insurance through Covered California if he or she is a state resident and cannot get affordable health insurance through a job. Applicants may qualify for a free or low-cost health plan, or for financial help that can lower the cost of premiums and co-pays.

What is the cheapest insurance in California?

Geico offers the cheapest minimum coverage in California, with an average rate of $243 per year according to NerdWallet's January 2025 analysis.

What is the most expensive health insurance in California?

The most expensive health insurance in California is a platinum plan for an elderly adult, with an average monthly rate of $1982.

Who has the most expensive insurance in the world?

We've set a new Guinness World Record for the most valuable life insurance policy ever sold, worth US$250 million. Issued and fully underwritten by HSBC Life, our insurance business in Hong Kong, it was taken out by an individual customer earlier this year.

Is L.A. Care PPO or HMO?

L.A. Care offers one of the largest HMO provider networks in the Covered California marketplace. Each plan provides comprehensive benefits and $0 preventive services to help you achieve your health goals.

What disqualifies you from Medi-Cal?

To qualify, you must: Meet the medical requirements of Social Security's definition of disability. Be working and earning income (this can be part-time work). Have countable income less than 250% of the federal poverty level (in 2024, this equates to $3,158/mo.

Can rich people use Covered California?

Even if your income is too high to get help paying for a health plan, you can still buy a plan through Covered California. You can also sign up for a plan on your own. You can apply through the insurance company directly, through an insurance agent or broker, or through another online health insurance marketplace.

What is the difference between a PPO and a HMO?

HMOs (health maintenance organizations) are typically cheaper than PPOs, but they tend to have smaller networks. You need to see your primary care physician before getting a referral to a specialist. PPOs (preferred provider organizations) are usually more expensive.

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal?

You are 19-64 years old and your family's income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($21,597 for an individual; $44,367 for a family of four). You are a child 18 or younger and your family's income is at or below 266% of FPL ($85,519 per year for a family of four).