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Commissioner Lara Urges Uninsured Californians to Obtain Insurance to Protect Their Health

News: 2020 Press Release

For Release: March 20, 2020
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Commissioner Lara Urges Uninsured Californians to Obtain Insurance to Protect Their Health
Covered California extends special enrollment period through June 30th in response to COVID-19 – including premium subsidies to assist eligible consumers

En español below.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urged uninsured Californians and those who have lost coverage due to COVID-19 to purchase health coverage through Covered California, or through health plans and health insurers offering coverage outside the health insurance benefits exchange, during a new special enrollment period. Effective Friday, March 20, Covered California opened the state’s health insurance benefits exchange to eligible uninsured individuals who need health care coverage amid the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Anyone who meets eligibility requirements, which are similar to those in place during the annual open enrollment period, can sign up for coverage through June 30, 2020.

"Getting coverage for yourself and your family has never been more vital," said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. "Californians need to plan for the long term, and having insurance at this time can give you peace of mind." 

On March 5, Governor Gavin Newsom and Commissioner Lara directed health insurance companies to make all medically necessary COVID-19 screening and testing free of charge by eliminating co-pays and deductibles.

This includes network telehealth or, when necessary, doctor’s office visits as well as network emergency room or urgent care when necessary for the purpose of screening and testing for COVID-19. In addition, Covered California health plans and health insurers will help cover costs that arise from any required treatment or hospitalization.

All health coverage offered through Covered California provides telehealth options for enrollees, giving individuals the ability to connect with a health care professional by phone or video without having to personally visit a doctor’s office or hospital.

Consumers who sign up through Covered California by June 30, 2020 will have access to private health coverage plans with monthly premiums that may be lowered due to federal and new state financial help that became effective in 2020. When enrolling in Covered California, their coverage would begin on the first of the following month meaning individuals losing job-based coverage will not face a “gap” in coverage.

 

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Media notes:

Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by using Covered California’s Shop and Compare Tool and entering their ZIP code, household income, and the ages of those who need coverage. The tool also helps those with no or low income see if they qualify for Medi-Cal. Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can: 

  • Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
  • Get free and confidential assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.
  • Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.
  • Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

El Comisionado Lara insta a californianos sin seguro que obtengan un seguro para proteger su salud

Covered California extiende el período de inscripción especial hasta el 30 de junio en respuesta a COVID-19, incluidos los subsidios de primas para ayudar a los consumidores elegibles


LOS ÁNGELES, Calif. — El comisionado de seguros Ricardo Lara instó a los californianos no asegurados y a aquellos que han perdido la cobertura debido a COVID-19 a que adquieran cobertura de salud a través de Covered California, o a través de planes de salud y aseguradoras de salud que ofrezcan cobertura fuera del intercambio de seguros, durante un nuevo período de inscripción especial.

A partir del viernes 20 de marzo, Covered California abrió el intercambio de beneficios de seguro de salud del estado a personas no aseguradas elegibles que necesitan cobertura de atención médica en medio de la emergencia de la pandemia por COVID-19. Cualquier persona que cumpla con los requisitos de elegibilidad, que son similares a los establecidos durante el período de inscripción abierta anual, puede inscribirse para recibir cobertura hasta el 30 de junio de 2020.

"El obtener cobertura para usted y su familia nunca ha sido tan vital", dijo el comisionado de seguros Ricardo Lara. "Los californianos necesitan hacer planes a largo plazo, y tener un seguro en este momento puede brindarle tranquilidad".

El 5 de marzo, el gobernador Gavin Newsom y el comisionado Lara ordenaron a las compañías de seguros de salud que hagan todas las pruebas y pruebas de COVID-19 médicamente necesarias sin cargo, al eliminar los copagos y deducibles.

Esto incluye la telemedicina, o, cuando sea necesario, las visitas de consultorio, así como a la sala de emergencias de la red o la atención de urgencias cuando sea necesario, con el fin de detectar y evaluar COVID-19. Además, los planes de salud y las aseguradoras de salud de Covered California ayudarán a cubrir los costos que surjan de cualquier tratamiento u hospitalización que sea requerida.

Toda la cobertura de salud ofrecida a través de Covered California ofrece opciones de telemedicina para los afiliados, lo que brinda a las personas la posibilidad de conectarse con un profesional de la salud por teléfono o video sin tener que visitar personalmente el consultorio de un médico u hospital.

Los consumidores que se inscriban a través de Covered California antes del 30 de junio de 2020 tendrán acceso a planes de cobertura de salud privados con primas mensuales que pueden reducirse debido a la ayuda financiera federal y estatal que entró en vigencia en 2020. Al inscribirse en Covered California, su cobertura comenzará el día primero del mes siguiente, lo que significa que las personas que pierden la cobertura laboral no enfrentarán una interrupción en su cobertura.

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Notas a los medios:

Los consumidores pueden saber fácilmente si califican para recibir ayuda financiera y ver qué planes están disponibles en su área, utilizando la herramienta Comprar y Comparar de Covered California ingresando su código postal, los ingresos del hogar y las edades de aquellos que necesitan cobertura. La herramienta también ayuda a las personas sin ingresos o con bajos ingresos a ver si califican para Medi-Cal. Aquellos interesados en aprender más sobre sus opciones de cobertura pueden:

  • Visitar www.CoveredCA.com .
  • Obtener asistencia gratuita y confidencial por teléfono, en una variedad de idiomas, de un inscriptor certificado.
  • Recibir una llamada de un inscriptor certificado que los ayude de forma gratuita.
  • Llamar a Covered California al (800) 300-1506.

 



Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

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