Part of the health care reform law, Covered California is the state’s health insurance Exchange/Marketplace where individuals and small businesses can compare and buy health insurance.  The Insurance Mom is here to help you make the right decision!

Small Business Health Option Plans.   SHOP is part of your state’s Exchange/Marketplace (in CA it’s Covered California), where small businesses (with under 50 employees) can shop for  group health insurance for their employees.    However, there is no requirement for small employers to provide any insurance at all.

The name of the health care reform law President Barack Obama signed on March 23, 2010.

Starting 1/1/14, guaranteed issue means health insurance companies have to issue health insurance to nearly anyone — no matter what their health or health history. In other words, coverage is guaranteed to nearly anyone.

As of 1/1/14, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) there will be 10 Essential Health Benefits that every health insurance plan must include: 1.  Ambulatory patient services 2.  Emergency services 3.  Hospitalization 4.  Maternity and newborn care 5.  Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavior health treatment 6.  Prescription drugs 7.  Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices 8.  Laboratory services 9.  Preventive and wellness and chronic disease management 10.  Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

As of 1/1/14, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this is the amount of help you will get from the federal government to help you pay for health insurance IF you qualify and only IF you buy health insurance through an online Exchange, aka Marketplace or in California known as Covered California.  The APTC is also known as a subsidy.

As of 1/1/14, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this is the amount of help you will get from the federal government to help you pay for health insurance IF you qualify and only IF you buy health insurance through an online Exchange, aka Marketplace or in California known as Covered California.  Subsidies are also known as an Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC).