Understanding health insurance from the market

It used to be that most employees would expect some type of health insurance coverage from their employers. Their options will be limited, but the monthly installments are either fully paid by their company or at least largely subsidized by their employers.

Times have changed. Since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare as it is generally known, the health insurance landscape has changed dramatically.

Today, with the rise of workers leaving the corporate world and striking out on their own either as small business owners themselves or as independent contractors, many who never had to shop for health insurance plans in the past are faced with the often bewildering maze of health insurance options and terms.

Shopping for health insurance from the market

A fair question to ask at this point would be, “What is the market?”

officially according to website At HealthCare.gov,

“A service that helps people shop for and sign up for health insurance. The health insurance marketplace, available at HealthCare.gov, is operated by the federal government for most states. Some states operate their own markets.”

California is one of those states that has its own market, known as California covered. The HealthCare.gov description goes on to indicate that,

Health Insurance Marketplace® (also known as a “marketplace” or “exchange”) provides health plan shopping and registration services through websites, call centers, and personal assistance. Small businesses can use the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) marketplace to provide health insurance for their employees.” .

For those looking to shop at a California health exchange, you must first qualify for assistance with a state health insurance plan. This financial assistance was provided through ACA legislation. Applicants should know that California’s covered income limits require consumers to have household income from 0 percent to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in order to qualify for assistance.

For example, one of the insurance resources Covered California States which – which,

According to Covered California’s Income Guidelines and Payroll Restrictions, if an individual earns less than $47,520 per year or if a family of four earns less than $97,200 per year, they qualify for state assistance based on their income.”

Essentially, most anyone who earns 138 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be eligible for Medi-Cal. All those who earn between 138 percent and 400 percent of the FPL can qualify for a benefit in a Covered California plan.

Good question to ask at this point then is “How do you get health insurance in the California health care market?”

California Health Insurance Market

There are many aspects of coverage to consider when comparing the available plans available through Covered California.

In addition to simply looking for affordable health insurance, you may need to look for dental insurance, vision insurance, and coverage for prescription medications, and also, another way to help keep health insurance cost in California is to look for ways to reduce medical costs.

While you can’t control when you get sick or injured, there are some steps you can take to help lower or reduce medical costs. These include:

• Determine if you qualify for the tax credit benefit for a plan through Covered California
• Choosing an HMO plan versus a PPO plan, for example
• Choose a plan with a high discount rate
• Choose a plan that mates with a Health Savings Account, or HSA

Another way to help reduce total health coverage costs is to take advantage of expert assistance when shopping and choosing a health insurance plan through Marketplace or Covered California.

JC Lewis is also available to assist once you are enrolled in a Covered California plan. If you would like help reporting income, enrollment, plan changes or even uploading proof documents, you can authorize one of our authorized agents as your representative if you wish.

How do you get health insurance without working?

According to Covered California websiteAnd the

“Unemployed people may be able to get a health plan through Covered California that includes savings based on your family size and income. You or your family members can also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal.”

Are you looking for a market for health insurance? JC Lewis Insurance Can Help!

JC Lewis Insurance is a local family owned business based in Sonoma County since 1979. Since our establishment as an agency, our team of expert brokers has provided Individual and family health insurance plans. In addition, we have worked to provide small business owners with health insurance plans from only leading health insurance companies licensed to do business in California.

As experienced, professional and local insurance brokers, JC Lewis Insurance Services is licensed and approved by each of these insurance companies to offer coverage to individuals, families and small group employers. Besides health insurance coverage, we also provide Medicare supplemental insurance and prescription drug plans for seniors in Sonoma County.

Whether you’re shopping the market for vision, dental, or health insurance for you and your family, or your employees, you likely have many questions and concerns.

Welcome to JC Lewis Insurance Services your questions About insurance coverage, and you can be confident that we will help you find the right solution.

JC Lewis – The right choice to help you make the right decision for your health coverage needs.