Expanding access to quality, affordable health care has been one of Zoe’s driving causes as an elected official. She supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as a step in the right direction towards this goal, particularly for working Americans who could not previously afford health care. Zoe will continue to work with her colleagues in Congress on implementing health care reform to best reflect the needs of working Americans, while continuing to support the creation of a robust public option that would be open to all Americans. 

Healthcare Reform and California:

Individuals and families in California now have many options for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act through a new, easy-to-use marketplace called Covered California. For qualifying individuals and families, financial assistance helps make health insurance more affordable.

• Getting Covered

The Covered California marketplace is designed for Californians who do not have health insurance and for those who purchase insurance in the individual market. The marketplace also offers private plans, and thanks to the ACA, you can no longer be denied or canceled for a pre-existing medical condition or illness under any of these plans.

You can shop for insurance and sign up for the plan of your choice during the annual open-enrollment period, which begins in the fall. A single application will let you know if you qualify for Covered California or Medi-Cal coverage. During the year, Californians may be eligible to sign up for a plan due to a qualifying life-changing event, like getting married, having a child or moving. Medi-Cal enrollment is year-round.

You can learn more about the Affordable Care Act and the coverage available through the Covered California website or by calling the Covered California Service Center at (800) 300-1506. 

 

• Coverage Basics
• Health Plan Booklet for Individuals and Families
• Frequently Asked Questions
•  Other Ways to Contact Covered California
  • To get help with the application process or to get answers about health coverage, you can call the Covered California Service Center. Trained representatives are available at (800) 300-1506 or TTY: (888) 889-4500.

Estimate Your cost for health insurance: Covered California has a Shop and Compare tool to help you estimate how much it will cost for you and your family to purchase health insurance in 2016 and the amount of financial assistance that you may be eligible to receive. This tool is for the purpose of obtaining an estimate only.

Information for Small Businesses:  Covered California makes affordable health coverage available to small-business employers and their employees. Visit the Covered California for Small Business [http://www.coveredca.com/forsmallbusiness/] for more information.

Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions: In addition to healthcare reform, the Affordable Care Act contains tax provisions with important changes, including changes to how individuals and families file their taxes. To learn more about the tax provisions that affect you, your family, or your small business, please visit: https://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act.