As with most other areas of the country, in California medical insurance can be obtained in a variety of ways. The medical insurance business is a complicated venue no matter where you live, but each state generally offers various programs to its residents who are not otherwise eligible for health insurance. In California, medical insurance can be obtained in one of three general ways.
Obviously the best choice for anyone is to be eligible to participate in an employer sponsored health insurance plan. However, many people are ineligible for medical insurance through work. Whether they are self-employed, have lost their job, do not qualify because of job status, or simply do not have it offered or cannot afford it, people still need an viable option for medical insurance. In most cases, if you are eligible for participation in a health insurance plan through work, it will be your best option for coverage.
If you are not eligible for employer sponsored health care, then you must explore your other options. One option is government assisted health care such as Medicare. However, there are eligibility requirements in that case as well. Typically, government sponsored medical insurance programs are based on varying qualifying factors including age, income verification, and limited options. If you believe you are eligible, you should research your options and can begin by calling your local health department for contact information or visit California’s Healthy Family Program (HFP)’s website.
If you must obtain medical insurance on your own, you can begin by calling various open market companies. Blue Cross of California, Aetna, and others can provide you with individual quotes for health insurance. In situations where a resident of California cannot obtain health insurance in the open market, whether from denial or other reasons, there is another option. The Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) of California offers health insurance to individuals who qualify. They provide access to the aforementioned HFP program as well as other state and federally subsidized programs along with the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP).
To qualify for MRMIP, a person must be a full-time resident of California, cannot be eligible for either part A or part B Medicare and must be able to show that they are ineligible for other coverage. The state shares the cost for this program and it is subsidized through tobacco tax funds. This program is accessible for those residents who have no health insurance coverage and have been denied coverage in the open market because of pre-existing or current medical conditions.
Before qualifying for any of the programs ran by MRMIB, you must meet certain requirements. Demonstrating that you qualify can be an exhausting process, but for those who have not been able to find a suitable plan elsewhere, either through work or in the open market, it is a necessary process. You can visit their website at http://www.mrmib.ca.gov/ for additional information on California medical insurance programs. You can also find additional information on open market insurance plans by contacting an insurer directly or locating an insurance agent in your area.