Are you shopping for HEALTH INSURANCE in CALIFORNIA or wondering what HEALTH INSURANCE options may be available to you? If any of the following questions apply, the information below may help.

Are you an INDIVIDUAL or a FAMILY looking for AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE?

Click here for HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FAMILIES.

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.
Contact your local health insurance agent or APPLY For HEALTH INSURANCE ONLINE at www.californiahealthinsurancenow.com or call 800-560-2443 to assist you in selecting and enrolling in a Online Medical Insurance Plan.

WWW.CALIFORNIAHEALTHINSURANCENOW.COM has some of the BEST HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS In CALIFORNIA.

Is your COBRA about to expire?

See below for information about your CALIFORNIA INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE coverage rights under the federal HEALTH INSURANCE Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

HIPAA (HEALTH INSURANCE Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA is a Federal law that does three things:
1) it makes it easier to take your HEALTH information with you when you change employers,
2) it sets very strict rules about the privacy of your medical records, and
3) it gives you the right to purchase INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE after you've used up your COBRA benefits (see "COBRA").
Before HIPAA it was often hard to move your medical information from one insurer to another, and there were few safeguards for your privacy. It was also very difficult to obtain insurance after COBRA benefits ran out. HIPAA improved these shortcomings.
If you have been covered by health insurance including COBRA and have exhausted all COBRA/CalCOBRA benefits with no break longer than 63 days, HIPAA gives you the right to buy INDIVIDUAL HEALTH coverage with few or no limits on pre-existing conditions.

COBRA

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)Have you recently left your employer? COBRA allows former employees, retirees, and their dependents to temporarily keep their health coverage at group rates. It is more expensive than group insurance. Why? When you are employed, your employer usually pays some or all of the premium for your health insurance. COBRA participants pay the entire premium themselves. It may be less expensive than individual coverage, though. You can collect COBRA benefits for up to 18 months which may be extended to 36 months under certain circumstances.
If your employer has 20 or more employees they must follow COBRA rules. COBRA follows a "qualifying event," like a termination (other than for gross misconduct), layoff, or reduction in work hours (but not taking FMLA leave - see "FMLA"). You have responsibilities to make sure your COBRA coverage goes into effect and stays in effect. You must decide to accept or reject COBRA during a certain time period (usually 60 days away notification from employer). Your former employer's plan administrator must mail you the COBRA information and forms within 14 days after receiving notification from your former employer of the qualifying event. If you do not ask for COBRA coverage before the deadline you may lose the right to COBRA coverage. You must also be sure to pay your monthly premiums or you can lose your coverage.
Once you have exhausted your COBRA benefits, you may be entitled to obtain an extension of coverage under CalCOBRA. When all COBRA/CalCOBRA extensions are exhausted, you can obtain individual health insurance under HIPAA (see "HIPAA").

HMO

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
An HMO is a collection of hospitals, doctors, and other health services all organized under one network. By managing care and contracting with the providers, HMOs keep costs down while providing a full range of health services. You usually pay only small co-pays when using services, no matter how many or what kind of services you use. In return, though, you must usually use the hospital(s), doctors, and other health providers in the HMO's network. In an HMO, you select a primary care physician. If you need a specialist, the primary care physician must first refer you to that specialist before you can see them.

PPOs

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
In a PPO, insurance companies contract with doctors, hospitals, and other providers to form a "network."
Depending upon your plan, you can sometimes get health care outside the network (someone or someplace not included in the network) but you will have to pay more. Unlike an HMO, you also have to pay a deductible and coinsurance.
Also unlike an HMO, you usually can see a specialist without first being referred by your primary care physician, and you have much more freedom in choosing a doctor or hospital. PPOs in California are regulated by both California Department of Insurance (CDI) and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC).

What You Can Afford?

Often, your financial situation will make the decision for you. HMOs are significantly more expensive monthly, but limit your out-of-pocket costs. However, if you want more autonomy in making your healthcare decisions, PPOs are a better bet.

Choosing Your Doctor

Also, the relationship you have with your family doctor may be a factor in your decision. If you like your doctor and he or she is not a member of the HMO network, you will probably want to choose a PPO so that you can continue seeing him or her. However, if you do not have a single source of care, or are looking to change doctors, either option would work for you.
Whatever you decide, it will be better than having no HEALTH INSURANCE at all. Some people are perfectly happy with their HMOs, while others curse them bitterly. Some rave about their PPO plan, while others complain about the higher costs involved. Consider your options carefully and choose what makes the most sense for you and your family.

HSA

HSA (Health Savings Account)
In an HSA, you contribute money to a special bank account to be used for medical bills. You get a Federal tax deduction on the money you contribute to your HSA, and if you use the money for medical expenses, you pay no Federal tax or penalty on it.
The HSA account can also earn Federal tax-free interest. Note: there is no California tax exemption for your HSA contribution, or for the interest the account earns.
HSA's always go along with a high-deductible HEALTH INSURANCE plan -- a $1,500 deductible, for example. This means that if you need medical treatment, you must first pay the deductible, which you can do with money from the HSA. There are limits on how much you can contribute each year. In 2006 you can contribute up to $2,700 per year for yourself (with a $3,000 deductible plan), or $5,450 per year for yourself and your family (with a $6,000 deductible plan).
HSA's "roll-over," that is: money you saved doesn't disappear at the end of the year if you haven't used it. You simply continue contributing to the HSA. There is no limit to how much you can have saved in your HSA.
The HSA is also "portable," so you can move or change jobs and take the HSA with you. Some employers may also make contributions to your HSA for you as a job benefit.
Who is eligible for an HSA? Once on Medicare, you can not obtain a new HSA. If you already had one before joining Medicare, however, you can keep that HSA and use it, but you can not continue contributing to it. You can be eligible for an HSA even if you have already have a high-deductible health plan, but not if you already have traditional health insurance. You can also still be eligible if you have disease-specific insurance (like a plan to cover just your diabetes).
HSA money can be used for preventive medical services and drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter) without Federal tax or penalty. You can use money from your HSA for non-medical expenses, but you'll usually have to pay a tax and a penalty.

CALIFORNIA BLUE CROSS

Good health is synonymous with the California lifestyle, and ANTHEM BLUE CROSS has been helping Californians maintain a healthy way of life for more than 60 years. From our vast doctor network to personalized plans, toll-free help lines and member-focused services, we are California’s leading healthcare company.

Whether you’re self-employed, between jobs, have no health benefits at work, or want to retire early, an Individual health care plan can protect your health, as well as your finances. Even if you’re healthy right now, you never know what the future holds. And if you wait until you become ill or injured, you may not qualify for coverage.

California Blue Cross Health Insurance - Click Here to Apply

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