Are you shopping for health insurance or wondering what health insurance options may be available to you? If any of the following questions apply, the links below may direct you to resources that could help.

Are you an individual looking for insurance?

• Please examine your options carefully before declining group coverage or continuation coverage, such as COBRA, that may be available to you. You should be aware that companies selling individual health insurance typically require a review of your medical history that could result in a higher premium or you could be denied coverage entirely. See  Individual Health Insurance Underwriting Guidelines /AB 356 for more details. 
  
• If so, you can contact a health insurance company directly for information or contact your local health insurance agent to assist you in selecting and enrolling in a health insurance plan. There are also state programs that can help. We have provided Definitions of various health plans and programs available to Californians for: Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM), CalWORKS, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Healthy Families, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (federal), Medi-Cal, and the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP). We have also provided a list of Health Insurance Terms; and a Health Plan Comparison and Checklist.

Have you left an employer who offered group insurance?

Read about state-supported programs you may be able to take advantage of, including AIM, CalWORKS, COBRA, FMLA, Healthy Families, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Medicaid, Medi-Cal, and MRMIP; Understand used by these programs; and use our list of Health Insurance Terms; and Health Plan Comparisons. You may also purchase individual health insurance coverage; please contact the health insurer of your choice or your local health insurance agent for assistance.

• If you have left employment, and your former employer offered group insurance, does your former employer qualify for COBRA (20 or more employees) or CalCOBRA (2-19 employees)?
  If so, review the COBRA information, or CalCOBRA information.

• Is your COBRA about to expire?
  Read about your individual health coverage rights under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Are you elderly and about to go on Medicare?
  Health Plan Definitions about Medicare and Medigap Insurance; related information in the ; Glossary of CalMedicare; Health Plan Comparisons pages.

Are you an individual choosing from among your employer's selection of group insurance plans? If so, review our Health Plan Definitions, and Health Plan Comparisons. Are you a small employer (2-50 employees) looking for a health plan? Go to the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) Website with a primer for selecting small business plans. If you need help understanding healthcare terminology review our Health Plan Definitions; and Health Insurance Terms pages.