California Health Care

In 2024, more Californians will have access to Aetna CVS Health and Health Net. Read about the changes below, and if you have any questions, give us a call.

Aetna CVS Health joined Covered California in 2023. The company offers affordable individual and family health plans that are compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ACA-compliant plans cover 10 essential benefits after the deductible is met, such as emergency services and hospitalization.

Currently, Aetna is available in these counties:

In 2024, Aetna CVS Health will expand services to the following counties:

Health Net is another option for affordable individual, family and Medi-Cal health care coverage. It’s the only Medi-Cal plan offering dental coverage in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties.

Health Net’s individual and family plans are called Ambetter plans. These plans are available through Covered California in the following counties:

Note that Health Net is only available in certain zip codes in some of the a...

Oscar Health has decided to leave Covered California in 2024 for financial reasons. If you’re currently enrolled in an Oscar plan, you can select a new plan during a special enrollment period. You can also choose a new health insurance provider during the regular enrollment period, which starts in November.

Do you have questions about your Oscar coverage or health insurance in general? Our agents are here for you. Call us today for answers.

Oscar is a health insurance company headquartered in New York City. It was founded in 2012 and is known for offering a user-friendly mobile app and 24/7 virtual care.

The company joined Covered California in 2016. Its California branch is called Oscar Health Plan of California.

Currently, Oscar serves over 31,000 Californians.

Oscar is leaving Covered California to increase profitability, but the company hopes to reenter the market in the future.

Oscar’s California members represent a small percentage of Covered California enrollees. Its lo...

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is a wellness-focused, Medi-Cal managed care plan serving residents in the Inland Empire (IE) region. It was established in 1994 as the region’s Medi-Cal plan. Today, IEHP also offers metallic plans, including a low-cost silver plan, through Covered California for individuals who aren’t eligible for Medi-Cal.

IEHP is known as a health insurance provider that cares about its community and improving access to quality health care. It provides zero-premium or low-cost plans to eligible individuals. IEHP offers advantages such as:

IEHP is one of the largest Medicaid health plans in the country. It also offers Covered California plans.

Currently, IEHP is only available to residents in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Residents of these counties can consider three different types of IEHP coverage:

IEHP is not the same as Medi-Cal — but they work together. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program that provides services and benefits through dif...

Since the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is no longer in effect, many programs that federal and state governments used to help individuals and families during the pandemic have also ended. Some of these programs, such as California’s Medi-Cal continuous coverage plan, helped ensure residents kept their Medi-Cal benefits during the crisis. Now that the pandemic is over and programs like the continuous coverage plan are “unwinding,” many Californians are being redetermined as ineligible for Medi-Cal and needing to switch to a new health insurance plan under Covered California.

If you’re one of the many transitioning from Medi-Cal to a Covered California health plan, keep reading. We’ll explore the unwinding of the continuous coverage plan and what you need to do to stay covered.

In short, the federally declared COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) led California to create a plan to help residents maintain health insurance benefits during the crisis.

It began in January 2020 ...

Dental insurance is a lot like your health plan — you pay a monthly premium and visit a dentist in your network. Just like health insurance, dental insurance can reduce your overall expenses and help you catch problems early. It also supports more than a beautiful smile. Dental care protects your general health and reduces the risk of conditions like heart disease.

Dental insurance usually covers the total cost of preventive services, like routine exams and cleanings. If your dentist determines you need to get work done, you can expect to pay a deductible and a portion of the procedure.

Each dental insurance plan is different. Before you see a dentist, review your policy and find out how much you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket. It also helps to ask your dentist for an estimate before you get treated so you know what to expect.

The following terms can help you understand your dental insurance plan:

Dental insurance is usually available through an employer or health insurance exchange....

Long-term care is essential for many Californians, regardless of insurance status. This type of care goes beyond medical attention, and includes daily help with everyday tasks. It’s important to understand the ins and outs of long-term care, including the fact that individuals of any age may need this support. Explore the details about long-term care, including what it is, who needs it, criteria for this care and coverage options to consider.

Long-term care focuses on daily support for those with disabilities, illnesses or cognitive impairments. This type of care can include many services, from help with basic personal tasks to specialized medical attention. Overall, long-term care goes beyond traditional medical care to ensure individuals can maintain their dignity and a high quality of life.

While short-term care concentrates on acute medical requirements, long-term care recognizes the need for more specialized care that considers the bigger picture of an individual’s health and w...

Medicare is a popular health insurance option for older adults, with 18.4% of the U.S. population choosing Medicare coverage. As an older adult, you know how critical health care is for your peace of mind and quality of life. Medicare supplement plans can be a significant advantage in helping you navigate gaps in your Medicare coverage.

There are many reasons to choose a Medicare Supplement plan, and many options to suit your unique lifestyle and requirements. Before you decide whether a supplement plan is right for you, it’s best to understand your options and what benefits you can expect.

Medicare Supplement health insurance — or Medigap — is additional insurance you can purchase from a private health insurance company. As the name suggests, it helps you fill your coverage gaps in your policy by paying toward your portion of out-of-pocket costs in Medicare. In other words, supplemental health insurance lets you go beyond your primary medical coverage and seek the treatment yo...

A waiting period in health insurance typically refers to the time between beginning a new job and waiting for your benefits to take effect. They can be frustrating and impact coverage, even resulting in fines in some states if you’re not careful.

A health insurance waiting period can refer to more than one thing, such as:

Employees have to wait a little while before they can use their benefits after starting a new job or enrolling in a different plan. The waiting period refers to the length of time when the employee doesn’t have access to some or all of their benefits. Not every employer has a waiting period, but many make employees wait up to 90 days before accessing health coverage. Fortunately, the government ensures the waiting period is no longer than that — 90 days is the maximum amount.

Many things affect your waiting period, including your insurance carrier, insurance plan and employer. Always check for a waiting period before accepting a new position. You typically can’t...

Imagine waking up one morning with a throbbing headache and a persistent cough. You’re unsure if it’s just a common cold or something more concerning. That’s when you realize the importance of having a primary doctor by your side. But what exactly does a primary doctor do?

Let’s explore the crucial role of primary doctors, learn the distinctions between primary care and family doctors and discuss why having a primary care doctor is essential for your well-being. From diagnosing and treating common illnesses to managing chronic conditions and promoting preventive care — they play a vital role in keeping us healthy.

A PCP, or primary care physician, is a healthcare professional devoted to overall wellness, attending to everyday medical needs, and emphasizing preventive care alongside immediate concerns. By considering medical history, lifestyle, and overall health, a PCP presents a broad, holistic view of a patient’s health.

A point of distinction arises when comparing PCPs an...

Experiencing a job transition can bring uncertainties, particularly when considering insurance coverage. There is valuable assistance available to California residents facing such situations. With promising ways to secure health insurance in any circumstance, you can seek help even without current employment. You may be able to maintain your existing work-related insurance or explore the options offered by state programs.

Learn more about your coverage options so you can make informed decisions about your health insurance during career shifts.

If you’ve lost your job, you are likely trying to determine the status of your health insurance coverage. The kind of insurance you usually get from work might disappear, leaving you and possibly your family without a safety net for medical needs.

Once you’re in this situation, figuring out what to do about health insurance is important. You may be able to stick with your old work insurance using something called COBRA. Signing up for state in...