What if I can't afford Covered California?
Asked by: Ricardo Jaskolski | Last update: September 20, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (41 votes)
What if you can't afford health insurance in California?
If you do not have health insurance, Covered California can help you determine if you qualify for Medi-Cal or federal subsidies, and can provide you with coverage options and plan costs. You can contact Covered California by phone at (800) 300-1506, TTY: (888) 889-4500 or by visiting their website at www.coveredca.com.
What income is too high for Covered California?
In 2024, an individual in a one-person household is eligible for some degree of Covered California subsidies if they earn up to $33,975 Meanwhile, that limit rises to $69,375 for a household size of 4. These numbers refer to your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as found on line 11 of your Form 1040.
How do I get out of Covered California?
If you need to cancel your health or dental plan, you can do so by logging in to your Covered California account. Covered California requires at least 14 days advance notice to process this request. It is strongly recommended that you request plan termination to be effective at the end of the month.
How long can you go without health insurance in California?
As a California resident, you should carry insurance throughout the year with no gaps in coverage of 90 days or more. Otherwise, you may face a tax penalty when you file your tax return. There are some exemptions to California's penalty, which we'll discuss later.
Health Insurance Subsidy Repayment Even If You Left Covered California with Higher Income
What is the penalty for not having health insurance in California in 2024?
The penalty for not having coverage the entire year will be at least $900 per adult and $450 per dependent child under 18 in the household when you file your 2023 state income tax return in 2024. A family of four that goes uninsured for the whole year would face a penalty of at least $2,700.
Can you live in California without health insurance?
Individual Mandate
Most people in California are required to have health coverage. If you do not have health coverage you may have to pay a tax penalty. This is called the “individual mandate.”
What is the cheapest health insurance in California?
Affordable health insurance in California for 2025
L.A. Care has the cheapest rates in California, and it's the cheapest health insurance company for about a quarter of the people in California. But you can only get L.A. Care if you live in Los Angeles County.
Do you have to pay back Covered California?
And if the government determines that you received too much APTC (because your income changed and you didn't tell Covered California), you may have to pay back some of the money you received. This is called “reconciliation.”
Can Covered California be free?
Covered California is the new marketplace that makes it possible for individuals and families to get free or low- cost health insurance through Medi-Cal, or to get help paying for private health insurance. Our goal is to make it simple and affordable for Californians to get health insurance.
What if I can't pay my Covered California premium?
If you or anyone in your tax household has offers of health coverage from a job or through Covered California that you cannot afford, you can apply for an affordability hardship exemption.
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.
How much does Covered California cost per month?
Apply for health insurance by Jan. 31 — and pay as little as $10 per month if you qualify. How many need coverage? Your Estimate $63 per month for a Silver plan. Bronze as low as $0.
What do people do if they Cannot afford healthcare?
State social services agencies provide direct assistance to people with limited access to health care. They can offer referrals to local health centers and organizations that may be able to help. If you are eligible for Medicare, you can get help paying for your prescriptions through Medicare Part D.
What is the minimum income to get Covered California?
For 2024, your expected income is less than $21,870 as a single person, less than $29,580 for a household of two people, less than $37,290 for a household of three people, or less than $45,000 for a household of four people. (For other household sizes, see the Federal Poverty Level Chart under the 150 percent column.)
What is a hardship exemption?
An exemption that's needed when applying for Catastrophic coverage for people 30 and older who faced a "hardship" that prevented them from getting insurance. Hardship exemptions are one type of exemption that someone can claim to qualify for Catastrophic coverage, along with affordability exemptions.
How do I get rid of Covered California?
Sign in to your Covered California account and cancel your plan there. We require at least 14 days advance notice to process this request. Want to get started with Covered California?
How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?
Report any changes in your income during the year to the Marketplace, so your credit can be adjusted and you can avoid any significant repayments at the end of the year.
Why is my Covered California Premium so high?
The rate change can be attributed to many factors, including a continued rise in health care use, increases in pharmacy expenditures, the rising cost of care, labor shortages and other issues affecting the health care industry.
Is it cheaper to go without health insurance?
Healthcare is expensive—even with insurance. However, those who don't have insurance coverage will be at a much greater disadvantage. The inability to seek treatment for health conditions and the crushing weight of medical bills are two big reasons to obtain coverage.
How much does the average person pay for health insurance in California?
The Cost of Health Insurance in California
The average cost of health insurance in the state of California is $6,888 per person based on the most recently published data. For a family of four, this translates to $27,550. This is $94 per person below the national average for health insurance coverage.
What can I do if I don't have health insurance in California?
Get coverage
If you do not have coverage, open enrollment continues through January 31, 2024. Visit Apply | Covered California™ or call 800-300-1506 to sign up for health care coverage.
Why is California health insurance so expensive?
That area is one of the most expensive health care markets in the country. Experts have blamed geographic isolation and lack of market competition in the area for its high health care costs.
Does California still penalize for no health insurance?
In 2019, those without insurance saw a respite with the suspension of tax penalties. From 2020 to 2022, California reinstated the requirement for taxpayers to have health insurance or face penalties.