YOUR HEALTH CARE RIGHTS
In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. It means you have to either have health insurance through your work, pay for it yourself, or get it from a public source.
Medi-Cal is the main program assisting people who are not getting health care through work and who either have a low income, a disability, or another special situation. More information about Medi-Cal, eligibility and the application process is at Medi-Cal link.
If you do not qualify for Medi-Cal or another public health care program, you will be required to have another means of health insurance. You should probably check with Covered California, which is an agency that provides health insurance plans and can also help you see if you qualify for Medi-Cal. Even if you do not qualify for Medi-Cal, you may be eligible for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) to help pay for the cost of insurance through Covered California.
This can help to reduce the monthly cost of your health insurance premium, which is the amount of money you pay to buy health insurance coverage. Depending on your income, Cost Sharing Assistance can reduce the amount of health care expenses an individual has to pay when getting care. These expenses include copayments and other health care bills.
Covered California’s Health Benefit Exchange marketplace can help you find affordable health plans and answer any questions you may have. Visit www.coveredca.com or call 1 (800) 300-1506.
You may also contact Sacramento Covered at 1 (866)-850-4321 for help in finding a health plan. You cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. If you are a young adult under age 26, you can remain on your parents’ private health coverage. For more information on changes to private health insurance, visit www.coveredca.com .