On June 5, 2017, California state senators passed SB 562, a healthcare bill that would offer free healthcare services to all California residents. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Because providing free medical care for 40-plus million people comes with a huge price tag. In this post, we’ll break down SB 562, including what it means and how
After the 2016 election, pundits on all sides swore, “We’re out of the prediction business.” The same declaration should be made for anyone involved in healthcare policy — because while commentary abounds on the future of health insurance under President Trump, nothing has been confirmed. In March, Republicans put together a bill to “repeal and replace” Obamacare. However, until actual legislation gets
It’s that time of year again! Open Enrollment, the annual period in which you can sign up for a health insurance plan for 2018, runs Nov. 1, 2017 to Jan. 31, 2018 in California. This window is your only chance to sign up for 2018 healthcare coverage. (Exceptions will be made, however, for those who qualify for Special Enrollment). So now’s the time
Health insurance in California saw three major changes in 2017. First, PPO plans were phased out in favor of HMO and EPO plans. Second, all Obamacare enrollees had to choose or be recommended to a PCP. Third, most plan premiums increased in price. Because California has the nation’s largest state-run health insurance exchange, its pool of about 1.4 million enrollees helped insurance companies
Health insurance is a pretty straightforward concept: You pay your insurance carrier a monthly premium, and your insurance carrier helps pay for your medical costs. Unfortunately, what’s not straightforward about health insurance is just about everything else. Healthcare coverage varies by plan type, insurance carriers, the network of doctors that carrier offers and state laws. Plus, each plan has its
By age 26, you’ve hit plenty of milestones. You’ve made it through school, scored a “real” job, and maybe even quit that “real” job. You’ve learned the value of a full night’s sleep and a predictable routine. And, according to your parents, you’ve become a technology prodigy. Despite everything you’ve mastered by your mid-20s, there’s still one thing that you
By 2022, Obamacare is projected to offer healthcare coverage to 33 million previously uninsured Americans. But if you’re confused by what Obamacare means to you, you’re not alone! The law is thousands of pages long — hardly the type of casual reading you want to do in your free time. We won’t get into the nitty gritty of Obamacare complexities.
You need health insurance, but you’re not sure how to get it. You did a quick Google search and saw that Open Enrollment ended on Jan. 31 — and it won’t reopen until November 2018! If you missed this short window of time to sign up for a plan, can you still get covered? The answer lies in three words: Special Enrollment Period. What
