Who should use Covered California?
Asked by: Anabelle Glover | Last update: July 1, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (21 votes)
Is it better to go through Covered California?
Covered California is the best option for getting an individual plan. There are four big reasons it is best to use Covered California: It's the only place where you can get federal or state help paying for your premiums and other health expenses.
Who can use Covered California?
California residents who don't have an offer of affordable coverage can get a health plan through Covered California. In addition, most immigrants qualify for health coverage, including the following groups: Lawful permanent residents (green card holders). Lawful temporary residents.
What is the income limit for Covered California Medi-Cal?
Who is eligible? Qualify for Medi-Cal if your income is up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for adults, and up to 266 percent FPL for children. Check Shop and Compare to see if you qualify. Learn more on the Department of Health Care Services website.
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.
Differences Between Covered California, Health Insurance Companies and Medi-Cal
Can someone making 100k qualify for Covered California?
Families of four who earn wages below the median household income in California — $97,200 per year — qualify for government assistance based on their income. If the family has a lower household net income, more government assistance is available to the family. Tax deductions can lower your income level.
What health insurance do wealthy people use?
High-net-worth individuals may also consider high deductible health plans (HDHPs). HDHPs have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket expenses in the form of deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Why am I not eligible for Covered California?
You do not have other health coverage (such as free Medi-Cal or employer-sponsored insurance) that prevents you from qualifying for insurance through Covered California. Covered California stated that you are not a California resident. Covered California stated that you did not pay your premiums by your due date.
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.
How does Covered California verify income?
This is called “income verification.” Covered California does this by electronically asking the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) database and other databases if what you reported is the same as what they have on file. The IRS will not share your personal tax data with Covered California.
How to calculate income for Covered California?
Generally, the income section on your Covered California application should match your Adjusted Gross Income (line 37 of the 1040, Line 21 of the 1040A, or line 4 of the 1040EZ) from your most recent Federal Tax Return. This is the recommended method if your annual income stays at a constant level from year to year.
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.
What is the difference between Covered California and Obamacare?
Covered California is the state's Obamacare exchange. This means your Obamacare plan options are the same as your Covered California options. The plans on Covered California are divided by carrier and into four different metal tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Why don't doctors take Covered California?
“We don't take Covered California plans”
This could be for various reasons. In some cases, medical insurance carriers payout less for the California Health Exchange plans, so physicians don't want to accept them. In other cases, it's just that doctors have heard they might get paid less.
How much is too much to qualify 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.
Will Covered California affect my taxes?
If you receive a tax credit through Covered California, you must file taxes for that benefit year. You will receive a 1095-A form, which shows how much Covered California paid to your insurance company to help with the cost of your health coverage. You will use the information on your 1095-A to fill out IRS Form 8962.
What's 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.
Who qualifies for Covered California plans?
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 if my income is too high for Medi-Cal?
If your income is too high for Medi-Cal, you may qualify to purchase health insurance through Covered California. Covered California offers “premium assistance.” It helps lower the cost of health care for individuals and families who enroll in a Covered California health plan and meet income rules.
What is the most widely accepted health insurance?
- UnitedHealth Group (including UnitedHealthcare) 15.34% 16.37%
- Elevance Health Inc. ( formerly Anthem) 7.16% ...
- Centene Corp. 6.68% 6.76%
- Humana. 6.03% ...
- CVS Health (including Aetna Health) 5.82% ...
- Kaiser Foundation (Kaiser Permanente) 6.18% ...
- Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC) 3.53% ...
- Cigna Health. 2.39%
What disqualifies you from the premium tax credit?
For tax years other than 2021 and 2022, if your household income on your tax return is more than 400 percent of the federal poverty line for your family size, you are not allowed a premium tax credit and will have to repay all of the advance credit payments made on behalf of you and your tax family members.