Covered Cal rates in the mail

With open enrollment just around the corner -- beginning Nov. 1 and running through Jan. 31 -- the state Obamacare operation is encouraging consumers to begin their shopping now. Covered California began mailing out notices to its health-insurance customers the second week of October, most delivering some dose of sticker shock due to double-digit premium increases. "Most of those renewing with us get subsidies that mean they are ... (More)

Covered Cal caps special drug costs

Covered California has moved to limit specialty drug costs, becoming the nation's first Obamacare operation to offer the protection. The Covered California board voted for the change May 21, in a policy shift that had been expected. The changes take effect in 2016. "These new policies strike a balance between ensuring Covered California consumers can afford the medication they need to treat chronic and life-threatening conditions ... (More)

Out-of-pocket caps OK’d by panel

California consumers worried that out-of-pocket insurance expenses could soar under the Affordable Care Act are nearing the protection of state law. The California Assembly Health Committee has approved a sweeping Senate Bill that reins in consumer costs under the Covered California health insurance exchange. The bill already was OK'd by the Senate. Obamacare faced more negative headlines in recent days with reports that consumers ... (More)