California Health Care

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 introduced many changes to how things are priced in every industry. Just as your tax brackets may change this year, so will your Medicare premiums and guidelines to fit the act’s accordances. Health for California has all the information you need to understand the changes going into effect in 2023 and how they will impact your current or future Medicare coverage.

Medicare provides discounted health care coverage to individuals over 65 and people with certain disabilities. Under the original Medicare plan, sometimes referred to as Parts A and B, qualified people receive coverage for hospital services (Part A), office visits and emergency care (Part B). Further coverage for items like prescriptions and more expensive procedures and services falls under Part C, Part D or other supplemental plans.

Every year, the government has the option to update Medicare guidelines to change pricing tiers and make additions to or removals of coverage. In 2022...

Medical insurance is a crucial benefit that helps millions of Americans pay for health care — according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 66.6% of adults aged 18-64 have private medical coverage. Another survey found that only 50.2% of that population has dental care coverage because most medical insurance plans don’t include dental care.

If you’re wondering why your regular health coverage doesn’t provide dental insurance, you probably aren’t the only one. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, most insurance plans must cover 10 essential health benefits, including prescription drug costs, mental health services and more. Offering dental insurance for adults is optional.

While your medical insurance plan may not offer dental care, there are many good reasons to get this coverage for you and your family. Learn more about supplemental dental insurance and how you can benefit from having it.

Insurance companies don’t consider dental coverage to be an essential...

Practicing good dental care is essential for people of all ages. A good oral care health plan includes brushing and flossing, drinking fluoridated water and avoiding sugary foods and drinks. Going to the dentist is another vital step that can help prevent gum disease, tooth loss and other dental issues. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends adults visit the dentist at least once a year and that children start receiving dental care by their first birthday.

Dental care is vital for maintaining your family’s oral health, but the costs of visits can add up. Enrolling in a family dental plan can help lower out-of-pocket costs for a dentist visit and make dental care more affordable. Review the California family dental insurance requirements below to find your best option.

While family dental plans offer varying levels of coverage, some of the requirements for enrolling are universal. You must meet the following primary qualifications for family dental plans to get a family...

Maintaining healthy eyesight is an essential aspect of overall health. Regular vision care like annual eye exams can catch and prevent eye disease early and significantly improve a person’s eye health. People who need corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses and contacts, use them to keep their vision strong and see the world more clearly.

Vision benefits plans and vision discount plans can make regular vision care significantly more affordable. These policies provide different levels of coverage, and knowing your options helps you make the most informed decision about your vision care. Learn more about vision benefits plans and discount vision plans in the guide below.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 11 million Americans require some sort of vision correction. People in the United States who wear eyeglasses or contacts pay an average of $231 for frames and $112 for single-vision lenses. Understandably, many people who need vision care want to min...

Many people in California purchase dental and vision insurance through an employer-sponsored or individual plan. Regular visits to the optometrist can catch common eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and help preserve your vision.

People who wear glasses or contacts especially recognize the importance of affordable vision care. According to statistics from 2019, the average cost of eyeglasses frames was $231 per pair. Having adequate vision coverage significantly lowers the cost of eye exams, preventive and diagnostic services, glasses and more. Regular eye exams can also detect emerging issues like diabetes and high cholesterol.

Several vision insurance plans are available to California residents, including vision benefits and discount vision plans. Discover the types of vision insurance for California residents to determine which plan is right for you.

The Affordable Care Act requires all health plans offered in the Marketplace to include 10 essential health benefit...

California has been experiencing damaging wildfires for several years now, and they do not seem to be letting up any time soon. To help you be prepared for any dangers, Health for California is opening a special enrollment period for anyone who can be affected by the wildfires.

The wildfires in California are becoming more intense and destructive. This can be due to several factors, but the climate is the primary concern. Summer heat is getting drier, and droughts surely do not help. Dry air during the colder months can also contribute to brittle forests. In these cases, it only takes one spark from a lightning strike or rogue bonfire to start a forest fire.

As of August 2022, there have been over 5,800 fires burning over 200,000 acres of land so far this year. These numbers are subject to change as incidents occur throughout the year.

Because of these encroaching dangers, Health for California is offering a special enrollment period. These periods allow individuals and their families to...

Covered California recently announced an increase in health insurance prices for 2023. Continue reading for more information on the cause of the price increases and what this can mean for you.

Enrollees in Covered California can expect to see a 6% increase in prices for health insurance in 2023. However, looking at the previous four years indicates an average insurance rate that is well below the national average at 2.3%. The total average includes the record-setting lows of 2020 and 2021.

Data has shown that this average rate change is still below the 10% national average of states that have preliminarily filed their rates.

However, keep in mind the 6% rate change average for 2023 is just that — an average. The specific rate change that may affect you can depend on your region. For example, region 11 — Fresno, Kings and Madera counties — are seeing no increase, while regions 1 and 13 are seeing a rate change in the double digits.

Several factors could have influenced California’...

Covered California is offering insurance from a few new carriers, starting in 2023. Continue reading to see how these new insurance plans can fit your needs.

Aetna is a part of CVS Health and is a new health insurance option with Covered California. Aetna currently serves 34 million across the nation. After joining Covered California, it will begin to reach the following Californian regions:

Aetna is a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and its plans cover hospitalization, preventive care and mental health services. Benefit from better access to healthcare providers through walk-in MinuteClinic® appointments and 24/7 telehealth services.

If you are a California resident seeking vision insurance coverage, you’re in luck! Superior Vision is also joining Covered California in 2023. This insurance company has been supplying vision benefits to millions of Americans. Everything Superior Vision does for its clients is member-focused, ensuring its services fit your needs where applicabl...

If you’re burdened with high health insurance premiums and increasing out-of-pocket costs, a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan might be right for you. HMOs are managed care plans that are also often the most affordable health insurance plans you can find. HMOs usually have their own network of doctors, specialists, clinics and hospitals, which allows them to negotiate a certain level of payments for the services their network provides.

HMO plans are a fantastic option for many California residents, but there are many factors to consider when determining if an HMO is right for you. Two primary factors that distinguish an HMO plan include:

HMOs are a great choice for those that don’t have specialized health care needs. If you find that you only really need annual health exams and immunizations, an HMO plan could help keep your monthly premiums low.

HMO plans are just one form of health coverage. Another type of coverage, a preferred provider organization (PPO), is a more...

In early August, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the outbreak of the monkeypox virus spreading around California, constituting a public health emergency. Because of these current events, Health for California is issuing a special enrollment period for our health insurance services.

The monkeypox virus comes from the same family as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. Contrary to popular belief, monkeypox and chickenpox are not related.

Being a virus, monkeypox can spread through close, often skin-to-skin contact. This can involve coming into direct contact with the rash, scabs, body fluids or respiratory secretions from someone with the virus. Additionally, touching objects, fabrics or surfaces after those with monkeypox have touched them can spread the virus.

With the variola virus and monkeypox virus being so similar, their symptoms are also similar, with monkeypox being much milder. The main sign of monkeypox is a rash on or near the genitals or anus. Usually, the in...