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SunSeeker

(51,368 posts)
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 12:21 PM Jan 2013

California Health Exchange Plan Approved By Feds

California received conditional approval from the federal government Thursday to establish a health care exchange, meaning residents will soon be able to compare insurance plans at competitive prices.

California is among seven states that received the go-ahead from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to operate its own health insurance exchange, one of the provisions under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. The goal of the exchange is to create what federal officials call a direct-to-consumer market.
...
Those who may qualify for federal tax subsidies and credits to help buy health insurance include those with incomes between 133 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, and businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Coverage will begin in 2014.
...
For families earning up to $92,000 per year, a government subsidy will be available to help pay for that coverage.

For more information on Covered California and the California Health Benefit exchange, go to www.healthexchange.ca.gov.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/california-health-exchange-plan_n_2409200.html

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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California Health Exchange Plan Approved By Feds (Original Post) SunSeeker Jan 2013 OP
What happens antiquie Jan 2013 #1
Um no. You'd probably qualify for Medi-Cal (free coverage). SunSeeker Jan 2013 #2
Um, no. We do not qualify for Medi-Cal. antiquie Jan 2013 #3
I think this will change under ACA and it will be income based flamingdem Jan 2013 #5
Your County may participate in the State's County Medical Services Program pinto Jan 2013 #6
Thank you for your efforts. antiquie Jan 2013 #7
Take care and hang in there. pinto Jan 2013 #8
Not a minute too late flamingdem Jan 2013 #4
Who to Thank PlanoTexan Jan 2013 #9
That's supposed to be helped by subsidies flamingdem Jan 2013 #10
1. Obama didn't write the legislation, Congress did. 2. Pricing hasn't been established. pinto Jan 2013 #11
 

antiquie

(4,299 posts)
3. Um, no. We do not qualify for Medi-Cal.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 12:43 PM
Jan 2013

I would love to know what low-income people whose kids are grown qualify for -- I've been looking since 2007.

Even if you don't receive cash assistance, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal if you are one of the following:
•65 or older
•Blind
•Disabled
•Under 21
•Pregnant
•Diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer
•In a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility.
•Refugee status during a limited period of eligibility. Adult refugees may or may not be eligible depending upon how long they have been in the U.S.
•Parent or caretaker relative of a child under 21 and
•The child's parent is deceased or does not live with the child, or
•The child's parent is incapacitated, or
•The child's parent who is the primary wage earner is unemployed or underemployed.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
6. Your County may participate in the State's County Medical Services Program
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 01:18 PM
Jan 2013

For example, my county participates and has these eligibility requirements -

Are between ages 21-64
Are not eligible for Medi-Cal
Are either a legal U.S. citizen or an alien "permanently residing in the United States under Color of Law"
Live in San Luis Obispo County
Have low assets and income less than 250% of the poverty level (In 2012, 100% was about $15,000 for a family of 2)
Have a medical need

Coverage is somewhat limited and it is *not* insurance. Coverage is based on a current medical need. There are on-hand assets limits. Medical services need to be pre-approved. There are a limited number of medical providers. Overall, a limited resource but one that may be of assistance for a specific medical need.

See here for participating counties - http://www.cmspcounties.org/

If you live in a non-participating county, suggest you contact your county or city health department to see if there are other local resources.

Also, suggest you follow the implementation of CA Health Exchange plans to see what is eventually offered.


 

antiquie

(4,299 posts)
7. Thank you for your efforts.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:23 PM
Jan 2013

Last edited Sun Jan 6, 2013, 03:18 PM - Edit history (1)

My county is not rural enough. I have surfed, clicked, called, etc., but to this point I have been unable to locate any services. I have been following all of the healthcare efforts both federal and state and will continue to have hope.

edit: If we had Republican administrations at either the federal or state level, I would not even have hope.

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
4. Not a minute too late
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 01:09 PM
Jan 2013

The greed of these companies knows no end. I got a 15 percent then 20 percent increase this year, 2x per yr!

 

PlanoTexan

(2 posts)
9. Who to Thank
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 06:30 PM
Jan 2013

You can thank Obama and Obamacare for your increases and it will only get worse, not better. Too many mandates that we all have to pay for whether you want that coverage or not. He promised coverage, but lied about the affordability.

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
10. That's supposed to be helped by subsidies
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 07:15 PM
Jan 2013

but it's unclear how that will work in Santa Monica.

For instance, are there new tiers for eligibility for Medicare .. that is a very strict program. Is there enough money to provide subsidies for premiums, etc.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
11. 1. Obama didn't write the legislation, Congress did. 2. Pricing hasn't been established.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 08:46 PM
Jan 2013

3. Coverage hasn't been established. 4. These are state run plans for the most part, as designed in the legislation. 5. Obama didn't lie about any of it.

If you've got a beef about the coverage or affordability suggest you contact your state department of health or whatever state department is overseeing implementation. Texas has opted out, last I heard, so the situation in your state may be a bit more complicated.

(on edit) Poster is no longer with us.

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