Covered
California
We are an official Covered California storefront and certified agency. Individuals and families may qualify for a premium discount, and small businesses could be eligible for a federal tax credit up to 50% of premiums.
What is Covered California?
Covered California is the California health exchange where individuals can obtain brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as Obama Care. It is the only place to get federal premium assistance to help people buy affordable health insurance. This means individuals may qualify for a discount on a health plan through Covered California, or get free health insurance through California’s Medi-Cal program. Learn more about Covered California insurance companies in your area.
What is Covered California?
Covered California is the California health exchange where individuals can obtain brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as Obama Care. It is the only place to get federal premium assistance to help people buy affordable health insurance. This means individuals may qualify for a discount on a health plan through Covered California, or get free health insurance through California’s Medi-Cal program. Learn more about Covered California insurance companies in your area.
Coverage Basics
Coverage Basics
For Individual and Families
For Small Business
For Individual and Families
Financial Assistance
To be eligible for premium assistance, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or be lawfully present in the United States.
- Have an annual household income between 100 percent and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Not have access to affordable, minimum-value health insurance through an employer.
- Not be eligible for other public health coverage, including full-scope Medi-Cal, premium-free Medicare Part A or military coverage.
- File taxes for the year that you will receive premium assistance.
- File taxes jointly if you are married.
Cost-Sharing Reductions
Cost-sharing reductions are subsidies that lower your out-of-pocket costs when you get health care, including your copays, coinsurance, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum. Cost-sharing reductions are available to those who are eligible for premium assistance and have an annual household income up to 250 percent of the FPL.
Enrollment
Applications for Covered California health insurance plans are accepted each year during open enrollment (October 15 to January 15) with the exception of special qualifying life events including losing health coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby.
For Small Business
You are eligible for Covered California for Small Business if:
- You have at least one but no more than 100 eligible employees and meet certain contribution and participation requirements.
- You have at least one employee who receives a W-2.
Tax Credit Eligibility
As a small-business owner, you may qualify for a federal tax credit to help offset the cost of providing health insurance to your employees by purchasing coverage with Covered California for Small Business. To qualify for a tax credit, employers must contribute at least 50 percent of their employee premium costs.
Currently, federal tax credits are only available to small businesses that purchase health insurance through Covered California for Small Business. The maximum available tax credit is 50 percent of insurance premium expenses and is available for a total of two consecutive years.
Enrollment
Covered California accepts new Small Business applications every month. For existing business clients, plan changes can be made during open enrollment.