California has a lot to lose if President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress fulfill their campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare. The Golden State fully embraced the Affordable Care Act by expanding Medicaid coverage for the poor and creating its own health insurance exchange for about 1.4 million enrollees. Supporters held California up as proof the health law could work as intended. But now President Barack Obama's ... (More)
Covered Cal rates in the mail
October 13, 2016 Leave a Comment
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)
Small biz premiums up 6%
September 16, 2016 Leave a Comment
Covered California's small group health program for business will see an average premium increase of just under 6 percent in 2017, the state Obamacare operation said. The exchange is bringing "choice, stability and rate moderation to employers, their employees and the many consumers who don't have employer-based coverage," Covered California chief Peter Lee said in announcing the average rates and program expansions. "The options ... (More)
Enrollment privacy bill signed
August 20, 2016 Leave a Comment
California's Obamacare customers who don't complete their application forms won't be hearing from insurance agents in the future, as the governor signed a bill that bars sharing of their data with private companies. Sponsor state Sen. Joel Anderson's statement about the signing said: "Before this bill, Covered California shared consumers' personal information with private companies without permission due to a security loophole, ... (More)
Covered Cal rates up 13 percent
July 19, 2016 Leave a Comment
Covered California officials are scrambling to put a positive spin on rate hikes for 2017 that should average more than 13 percent. Executive Director Peter Lee talked up the "power of shopping," claiming, "Almost 80 percent of our consumers will either be able to pay less than they are paying now, or see their rates go up by no more than 5 percent, if they shop and buy the lowest-cost plan at their same benefit level." The ... (More)
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