California's governor has signed into law a plan that could clear the way for undocumented people to access the state's Obamacare exchange. The legislation, from state Sen. Ricardo Lara, left, directs the secretary of California Health and Human Services to seek a waiver from the federal government to sell health insurance plans to illegal aliens. They would not receive state subsidies for buying the insurance, however. Policies ... (More)
UnitedHealth quits Calif. exchange
May 31, 2016 1 Comment
UnitedHealth Group Inc. is leaving California's insurance exchange at the end of this year, state officials confirmed. The nation's largest health insurer announced in April it was dropping out of all but a handful of 34 health insurance marketplaces it participated in. But the company had not discussed its plans in California. The exit was confirmed May 31. UnitedHealth's pullout also affects individual policies sold outside the ... (More)
Calif. uninsured rate bests U.S.
May 18, 2016 Leave a Comment
A federal study shows that California's percentage of those without health insurance is running about a point lower than the national average. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found California's uninsured rate was 8.1 at the end of 2015, vs. 9.1 for the U.S. as a whole. California also beat the national average in key categories: (3.6 percent vs. 4.5 percent); 18-64 years (11.1 percent vs. 12.8 percent); and under 65 ... (More)
8% premium hikes expected in ’17
May 14, 2016 Leave a Comment
After a honeymoon period of several years, Covered California customers will be looking at a meaningful increase in premiums for 2017. The state Obamacare operation is predicting rate increases of 8 percent next year, it said in a budget proposal. That's double the 4 percent average of the past two years, but lower than projections elsewhere in the nation for Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Some consumer advocates said ... (More)
Lawmakers: Fix pregnancy snafu
May 3, 2016 Leave a Comment
Sixteen members of California's congressional delegation are calling on Covered California to quickly fix a problem that has caused some pregnant women to be dropped from their health plans and enrolled in Medi-Cal without prior notice or consent. Led by congressman Ami Bera and congresswoman Lois Capps, the lawmakers sent a letter Thursday to Diana Dooley, secretary of the state's Health and Human Services Agency, and to Covered ... (More)
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