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- Written by: Covered California
Effective Friday, March 20, Covered California opened the health insurance exchange to any eligible uninsured individuals who need health care coverage amid the COVID-19 national emergency.
Anyone who meets Covered California’s eligibility requirements, which are similar to those in place during the annual open-enrollment period, can sign up for coverage through June 30.
“We want to get as many people covered as possible to ensure they have access to the health care they need,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “Having more people insured is the right thing to do, and this action builds on our efforts to leave no one behind in California.”
People who sign up through Covered California will have access to private health insurance plans with monthly premiums that may be lowered due to federal and new state financial help that became effective in 2020. After selecting a plan, their coverage would begin on the first of the following month – meaning individuals losing job-based coverage will not face a gap in coverage.
In addition, consumers who sign up through CoveredCA.com may find out that they are eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal, which they can enroll in online. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have coverage that is immediately effective.
California has put a 90-day hold on Medi-Cal renewal reviews, ensuring those already enrolled can continue their coverage and freeing up resources to quickly process the expected new enrollments.
DHCS also is seeking expanded authority to expedite enrollment for seniors and other vulnerable populations, expand the use of telehealth, and take other steps to make care easier to access.
“The extraordinary challenges posed by COVID-19 demand an equally extraordinary response, and the Medi-Cal and Covered California systems are stepping up to meet the need for health coverage and ease access to services,” said Dr. Bradley P. Gilbert, director of the Department of Health Care Services.
DHCS oversees Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, which provides coverage for about 13 million Californians.
The California Department of Managed Health Care, or DMHC, and the California Department of Insurance will provide guidance to health plans on the special-enrollment period, which will also include off-exchange health plans. This will ensure consumers enrolling in the entire individual market in California will have access to coverage during the pandemic emergency.
“We are working together to protect the health and safety of Californians during this pandemic,” said DMHC Director Shelley Rouillard. “This includes making sure that Californians are able to access health care coverage. Opening a special-enrollment period due to COVID-19 offers new coverage options to Californians when they need it most.”
All Covered California and Medi-Cal plans offering telehealth options
All health plans offered through Covered California and by Medi-Cal provide telehealth options for enrollees, giving individuals the ability to connect with a health care professional by phone or video without having to personally visit a doctor’s office or hospital.
All medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 is free of charge. This includes telehealth or doctor’s office visits as well as network emergency room or urgent care visits when necessary for the purpose of screening and testing for COVID-19.
In addition, Medi-Cal covers costs associated with COVID-19 in both its managed care plans and with fee for service providers. Covered California health plans will help cover costs that arise from any required treatment or hospitalization.
“A core part of our mission is improving access to high-quality health care, and that has never been more important than it is right now in California,” Lee said.
New ad campaign to get the word out
Covered California will be alerting the public about the new special enrollment period through television, radio and digital ads.
Covered California is already running ads that highlight the new financial help that is available for the first time this year, the new state individual mandate penalty and ads that make the connection to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability to get coverage.
New state subsidies help Californians lower their health care costs
Californians who sign up for coverage may be able to benefit from a new state subsidy program that expanded the amount of financial help available to many people. The subsidies are already benefitting about 625,000 Covered California consumers. Roughly 576,000 lower-income consumers, who earn between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or FPL, are receiving an average of $608 per month, per household in federal tax credits and new state subsidies (which averages $23 per household).
The financial assistance lowers the average household monthly premium from $881 per month to $272, a decrease of 70 percent.
In addition, nearly 32,000 middle-income consumers have already qualified for new state subsidies, with average state subsidy to eligible households is $504 per month, lowering their monthly premium by nearly half.
Many of those eligible for the new middle-income state subsidies are an estimated 280,000 Californians who are likely eligible for new state or existing federal subsidies but kept their “off-exchange” coverage. They are also eligible to switch to Covered California and benefit from the financial help.
During this special enrollment period, Covered California, its health plans and certified agents will be reaching out to these Californians to let them know how they can save money on their premiums – which will help them keep their coverage in challenging financial times.
California’s success in expanding coverage strengthens pandemic response
The policies announced today build on the success of the Affordable Care Act in California. Since the law was signed 10 years ago, California’s uninsured rate has dropped to a record low of 7.2 percent thanks to the expansion of Medi-Cal and the creation of Covered California.
“California’s policy makers made important choices ten years ago to build the Covered California exchange and dramatically expand the state’s Medi-Cal program. Those choices – as well as new efforts by Gov. Newsom and the Legislature to bolster financial support to buy coverage – mean many millions of people have coverage today and can get it tomorrow for this critical moment in time,” Lee said. “Our goals now must be to make sure we meet the needs of those without insurance – whether they just lost their coverage or lost their income – while assuring those with coverage get the care they need, when then need it. The urgency of this public health crisis calls on all of us to do everything we can to help Californians.”
Staying safe while getting help enrolling
With the just announced order for Californians to stay home if they are not engaged in essential work or travel, Covered California is working with the more than 10,000 Certified Insurance Agents that help Californians sign up and understand their coverage options through phone-based service models.
“We are in a different world right now, but social distance does not mean you cannot get personal help,” Lee said. “Our agents and staff are stepping up to help people by phone and support them to enroll online.”
Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible Medi-Cal or other forms of financial help and see which plans are available in their area by using the CoveredCA.Com Shop and Compare Tool and entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage.
Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also visit www.CoveredCA.com or call Covered California at 800-300-1506.
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- Written by: Cal OES
In continuing support of these Americans, up to 24 individuals who disembarked the cruise ship are being relocated to a cluster of buildings on the Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove.
The individuals will be temporarily housed in buildings that are removed from visitors and the public, and will not interact with other Asilomar guests, employees or the general public.
All the individuals have been screened by medical professionals, and because they have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, they cannot be quarantined at Travis Air Force Base. While none of these individuals is known to have contracted novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, they will be tested and monitored by medical professionals while at Asilomar.
This housing effort is focused on protecting the health of these Americans and the public health of California's communities and military readiness at Travis Air Force Base.
The California Health and Human Services Agency and California Governor's Office of Emergency Services are partnering with federal and local governments to ensure that adequate protocols are in place to protect the health of the disembarked passengers and the public health of California and the communities surrounding Asilomar.
The state is also working closely with local agencies, including Monterey County and the City of Pacific Grove, to coordinate this mission and provide communication and information to the public.
"These residents have endured a lot of stress in the last few days, and our top priority is to protect their health – and the public health of California – until they can return to their homes," said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. "We understand people across California are concerned about novel coronavirus, and that's why we're collaborating with our federal partners to ensure that the community surrounding Asilomar is not impacted."
"State Parks is ready to step up and support these Americans who need our assistance, and we continue to make the health and safety of visitors, employees and the public our top priority," said State Parks Director Lisa Mangat.
"We are grateful to the community of Pacific Grove and Monterey County for stepping up to care for our fellow Americans in their time of need," said Mark, Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. "This community embodies the leadership we have seen in other parts of the state, including Solano County and Oakland."
"The nation and indeed the rest of the world is watching how our community reacts to this situation," said Monterey County District 5 Supervisor Mary Adams. "We have an opportunity to provide an example of a compassionate humanitarian response."
"We are working with federal and state officials to make sure every step is taken to protect the health of our community," said Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County health officer.
"Public health and safety is the responsibility of every level of government. Pacific Grove is working closely with our state and federal partners to ensure the highest level of safety is provided for our community," said Pacific Grove City Councilmember Amy Tomlinson.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Spectrum of LIGHT is a collaboration among the four local Seventh-day Adventist churches.
Among the services offered are free dental cleanings and fillings, free A1C and glucose screenings, blood pressure, BMI, health age and vision screenings.
There will also be education and coaching from medical providers for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, weight loss, etc.
Other offerings include health lectures and cooking demonstrations with samples.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The Task Force will advise the administration’s efforts to advance statewide behavioral health services, prevention, and early intervention to stabilize conditions before they become severe.
The Behavioral Health Task Force, chaired by Secretary Ghaly, will hold its first meeting on March 4 in Sacramento.
Task Force members include a broad range of stakeholders, including people living with behavioral health conditions, family members, advocates, providers, health plans, counties, and state agency leaders.
“More and more Californians now have health coverage thanks to Medi-Cal, Covered California and private coverage, but too many of our neighbors still struggle to access the timely mental health and substance use disorder treatment that they need,” said Secretary Ghaly. “This Task Force will work toward a behavioral health system that provides timely access to high-quality care for all Californians.”
The Behavioral Health Task Force members are:
· Lenore Anderson, founder and president of Californians for Safety and Justice;
· Sarah Arnquist, vice president, account partnerships, for West Beacon Health Options;
· Charles Bacchi, president and CEO for the California Association of Health Plans;
· Michelle Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California;
· Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association;
· Jessica Cruz, chief executive officer for NAMI California;
· Mary June (MJ) Diaz, government relations advocate for SEIU;
· Vitka Eisen, president and chief executive officer with HealthRIGHT 360;
· Lishaun Francis, associate director, health collaborations with Children Now;
· Le Ondra Clark Harvey, director of policy and legislative affairs for the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies;
· Virginia Hedrick, director of policy and planning for the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health;
· Tanja Heitman, chief probation officer for the Santa Barbara County Probation Department;
· Emma Hoo, director at the Pacific Business Group on Health;
· Andrew Imparato, executive director with Disability Rights California;
· Linnea Koopmans, government affairs director for the Local Health Plans of California;
· Dr. Tom Insel, board chair of the Steinberg Institute;
· Kim Lewis, managing attorney for the National Health Law Program;
· Elizabeth Oseguera, associate director of policy for the California Primary Care Association;
· Hector Ramirez, board member with Disability Rights California;
· Cathy Senderling, Deputy Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California;
· Albert Senella, president and CEO of Tarzana Treatment Centers;
· Christine Stoner-Mertz, chief executive officer with the California Alliance of Child and Family Services;
· Mandy Taylor, outreach and advocacy coordinator for the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network;
· Carolina Valle, policy manager for the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network;
· Marie Webber, chief administrative officer of UCSD Health;
· Jose Zavala, a school psychologist with the Fresno Unified School District;
· Dr. Ashley Zucker, chief of psychiatry for Kaiser Permanente.
State representatives on the task force are:
· Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health;
· Stephanie Clendenin, director of the Department of State Hospitals;
· Toby Ewing, executive director of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission;
· Dr. Bradley Gilbert, director of the California Department of Health Care Services;
· Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California Surgeon General;
· Tom Herman, Administrator in the Educator Excellence and Equity Division with the California Department of Education;
· Kim Johnson, director of the Department of Social Services;
· Shelley Rouillard, director of the Department of Managed Health Care;
· Stephanie Welch, executive officer with the Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health.