California Health Insurance

• also from State of California - Office of the Patient Advocate:
  web page:
  Individual Coverage
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "Health coverage you buy yourself is called individual coverage. The laws that regulate individual plans are different from the laws that regulate group plans...

• also from California HealthCare Foundation:
  web page:
  Rules Governing California's Individual Health Insurance Market
  languages: English
  from the web page: "...issue brief examines the state and federal laws that apply to the individual health insurance market in California as of April 2005. It provides a comprehensive overview of the differences between individual and group coverage and explains the basic rules that apply to individual policies, including treatment for pre-existing conditions, guarantees on renewal, protections for higher-risk individuals who maintain their coverage, and regulations governing the transition from group to individual coverage..."
  
• web page:
  Guide to Health Programs (Guía de Programas de Salud)
  languages: English
  from the web page: "... its sixth edition, The Guide to Health Programs (Guía de Programas de Salud) was created for families and community organizations. It describes various public and private programs that exist to increase access to health care services for low-income populations in California. While the guide is useful to those in need of insurance, it is also designed to be a resource to help health care workers and community-based organizations in their outreach to the community..."
  

• also from Internal Revenue Service | United States Department of the Treasury :
  web page:
  HCTC: The Yearly HCTC
  languages: English
  from the web page: "...With the yearly HCTC, you pay your health plan premiums in full and then claim the credit on your tax return. The credit is refunded or applied as a credit toward you year-end taxes. This page provides general information on how the yearly HCTC works..."
  
• web page:
  HCTC Quick References
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  

• also from State of California - Office of the Patient Advocate:
  web page:
  Individual Health Insurance
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "

  Individual health insurance is insurance you buy on your own. Most insurance companies have on-line tools to help you find out how much individual health insurance will cost.
  
  If you have a chronic illness or other health condition, it may be hard to buy individual health insurance...

• also from California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board:
  web page:
  About MRMIB
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "

  The MRMIB was created in 1990 with a broad mandate to advise the Governor and the Legislature on strategies for reducing the number of uninsured persons in the state. The Board is comprised of volunteer members appointed by the Governor and the Legislature...

• also from California Department of Managed Health Care:
  brochure:
  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CAL-COBRA BENEFITS AND PREMIUM REDUCTION
  5 pages; languages: English
  from the brochure:

  "......Cal-COBRA is the California program that is similar to federal COBRA. Federal COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) allows certain people to keep employer-provided group health coverage, in cases where they would otherwise lose coverage because of certain events such as divorce or loss of a job......"

  
  

• also from California Department of Insurance:
  web page:
  Consumers: Health Plan Definitions
  languages: English
  from the web page:

  "...a series of definitions of various health insurance plans and programs available to Californians. As confusing as they may be, we have tried to provide simple definitions. Where relevant, we have also tried to provide links and additional frequently asked questions (FAQs)..."

  
  
• Consumers: Shopping for insurance?
  languages: English
  from the web page:

  "...Are you shopping for health insurance or wondering what health insurance options may be available to you? If any of the following questions apply, the links below may direct you to resources that could help..."

  
  

• also from State of California - Office of the Patient Advocate:
  brochure:
  Compare HMO Costs
  1 page; languages: English
  from the brochure:
  "Tips from California’s Patient Advocate...
• web page:
  Health Care Costs
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "...Plan fees can add up. Check them carefully, so you know what you will have to pay for before you get care. Ask your plan for a list of fees. HMO and PPO costs have become more complex in recent years, and prescription drug costs are an increasing expense for many people...

• also from National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC):
  web page:
  Find a Health Center
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "If you need affordable health care, a Community Health Center may be what you're looking for... Click here to find the health center closest to your address or to see a list of health centers in your state or county/parish..."

"Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. Health centers provide •checkups when you're well •treatment when you're sick •complete care when you're pregnant •immunizations and checkups for your children •dental care and prescription drugs for your family •mental health and substance abuse care if you need it..."

• also from California Department of Managed Health Care:
  web page:
  HIPAA and Conversion Coverage
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "If you have had health insurance for the last 18 months without a gap of more than 63 days, you may have the right to buy a HIPAA individual plan. However, you must first use up Federal COBRA/Cal-COBRA if you qualified for it..."
  
  

• also from California Department of Aging:
  web page:
  Medigap Help - Helpful Links
  languages: English
  from the web page:
  "...Learn the basics of Medigap, plus what you should know before buying a Medigap... Buyer Beware... Understand your rights before you buy a Medigap... Special Considerations for Persons Under Age ..."