Historic day for the Affordable Care Act in California

[SHRED]

Covered California Announces Plans and Rates for 2014
Consumers will have access to more than 80% of practicing physicians, 80% of acute care hospitals through 13 commercial health plans

SACRAMENTO, CA – Covered California™ today announced 13 diverse health insurance plans that will offer in 2014, affordable, quality health care coverage to millions of Californians. The plans reflect a mix of large non- profit and commercial plan leaders, along with well-known Medi-Cal and regional plans.

The tentative selection of health plans is subject to a rate review by state regulators. It is difficult to make a direct comparison of these rates to existing premiums in the commercial individual market because in 2014, there will be new standard benefit designs under the Affordable Care Act, and the actual change in an individual’s premium will depend on the person’s current insurance coverage. However, Covered California believes that a valuable frame of reference for its premiums, is comparing them to the small employer market in California. Both the small employer market and Covered California are competitive markets, and offer guaranteed issue – you cannot be denied for pre-existing condition.

http://www.coveredca.com/news/press-releases/pr-05-23-13-plans-anounced.html

Health Plans Summary (Booklet)
http://www.coveredca.com/news/PDFs/CC_Health_Plans_Booklet.pdf

News
http://www.coveredca.com/news/index.html

Calculator
http://www.coveredca.com/calculating_the_cost.html


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[KamaAina]

1. What about the Medi-Cal expansion? And long-term care?

These are important "details" that Gov. Brown hasn't exactly been forthcoming about.

[flamingdem]

3. Ah so that is not in the book?

I guess not. That seems very important considering that so many are poverty level.

[SHRED]

4. contact the Governor's office

That's what I would do.

[pinto]

5. Medi-Cal contacts -

http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/Contacts.aspx

[SunSeeker]

2. K & R

[antiquie]

6. "Subsidies" are tax credits that do not help low income people.

It is a fact. I just double-checked and read all of the information. When a person has limited income, they do not pay income taxes, so therefore a tax credit does nothing to help. Medi Cal remains for families and empty nesters are not a family according to California.

[SHRED]

7. you are mistaken

The subsidies in Covered California are based on your adjusted gross income in real time...at time of applying and can change accordingly if your income changes.

Here's the calculator:
http://www.coveredca.com/calculating_the_cost.html

[antiquie]

8. What am I mistaken about? Here in black and white:

All I said was that I would get a TAX BREAK that I cannot use because do not pay enough income tax and therefore cannot afford it.

Breaking Down The Monthly CostEstimated monthly silver plan premium (without subsidy) Estimated tax credit from the government
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Estimated monthly silver plan premium (without subsidy) $1,369
Estimated tax credit from the government $1,280
Your estimated monthly silver plan premium $89
http://www.coveredca.com/calculating_the_cost.html

[SHRED]

9. It's not a "tax break" off of your tax bill at year's end

It's a subsidy that occurs month to month based on your income.

[antiquie]

10. How do you know this? How can I verify?

Why do they call it a tax credit if it isn't? I honestly have been trying to find out what will be available for me.

[SHRED]

11. Here's a great resource

http://www.cahba.com/advice/

That would be a good question to ask why they call it that. It appears to cause some confusion.

[SHRED]

12. I think they call it that...

...because they use your AGI off of your 1040 form to verify what you have actually made the previous year.

Again, at the time you apply you use what you are currently making or you can re-apply at anytime should that change.

[antiquie]

13. I get income verification; how do I pay the premiums?

How do I pay the insurance company?
Where does the money come from if it isn't tax credits like they say?
Would you please provide a link to where it isn't a tax credit but a real subsidy? Thank you.

[SHRED]

14. very good question

I asked it here and I am awaiting a response.

https://www.facebook.com/CoveredCalifornia


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[antiquie]

15. Advance Premium Tax Credits are paid directly to the Insurance Company, I have learned.

I cannot believe how complicated this is. It seems like a huge bureaucratic nightmare; can't see how this reduces costs.

[SHRED]

16. yes it does seem like that

It appears very difficult weaning our country's health system off of the for-profit teet. So many tentacles this capitalist system has. Hopefully this ACA is a step towards that weaning.

[SHRED]

17. I think the answer will be...

...that you pay the health insurance company directly like you would any other insurance premium.

But I will post back when confirmed or not.

[SHRED]

18. Here:

Question: What will be the mechanism for the payment of monthly premiums in the Exchange?

Answer: The premiums are collected by the health plan issuer (insurance company) not Covered California. So you would get a bill from Blue Shield or Kaiser just as you do now. If you are eligible for a subsidy, the subsidy money goes from the federal government directly to the carrier and the carrier bills you for the remainder - the net premium amount.

http://www.cahba.com/advice/2013/05/premium_payments.html

[antiquie]

19. Whew, the government pays the subsidy portion directly to the insurer.

This will be great for me, like getting Medicare a year early. I will continue to hope and work for single payer and more community health care centers.