Covered California's open enrollment is under way. It runs through Jan. 15. The signup period unfurls accompanied by a series of changes. Californians who fail to obtain health insurance again will be penalized come tax time. The return of the "individual mandate" sees a minimum $695 state tax penalty. Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to that change during the summer. The state's middle class will enjoy expanded subsidies in 2020. The new ... (More)
Covered Cal premium hikes at 1%
July 9, 2019 Leave a Comment
Covered California's average rate increase for 2020 will be just under 1 percent, officials said. The good news came shortly after state lawmakers reinstated a penalty for residents who fail to carry health insurance, similar to the "individual mandate" imposed under the federal Affordable Care Act. Covered California said it was "the lowest change" since the insurance marketplace launched. All 11 health insurance companies ... (More)
Individual mandate back in Calif.
June 29, 2019 Leave a Comment
Californians again face a tax penalty for not having health insurance. Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, signed into law the Legislature's plan to reintroduce a so-called individual mandate, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Californians are required to have "minimal essential" health coverage. Led by President Trump, the federal government in 2017 killed the Obamacare penalty, effective with this tax year. The new state penalty is designed to ... (More)
Newsom puts health care first
January 8, 2019 Leave a Comment
New California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing significant support for the Affordable Care Act at the state level, with increased levels of subsidies for consumers and a return of the "individual mandate" for health coverage. Newsom's plan would hike the size of subsidies for those who already receive them, and make California the first state to make subsidies available to middle-income families. "No state has more at stake on the ... (More)
Provider directories draw fines
November 5, 2015 Leave a Comment
California has fined Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross for using inaccurate directories of providers for state Obamacare networks. Blue Shield of California was fined $350,000 and Anthem was fined $250,000, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) announced Nov. 3. The problems date back to early 2014, when the state began receiving complaints about the network directories. The state subsequently found significant ... (More)
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