Individuals and Families

Affordable Care Act​

The Affordable Care Act was signed into law in March 2010. It was designed to extend health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. It prevents insurance companies from
denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions and requires plans to cover a list of essential health benefits.

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All health insurance plans now share some common characteristics. The Affordable Care Act requires that all health insurance plans offered in the individual and small-group markets must provide a comprehensive package of items and services, known as essential health benefits.

These benefits fit into the following 10 categories:

• Ambulatory patient services

• Emergency services

• Hospitalization

• Maternity and newborn care

• Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment

• Prescription drugs

• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices

• Laboratory services

• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management

• Pediatric services, including dental and vision care (dental insurance for children is included in the price of all health plans purchased in the exchange)

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What is Covered California?​

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Covered California is a free service that connects Californians with brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California offers individual and family plans and provides federally subsidized financial assistance to those who qualify. Individuals and their dependents may also qualify for public health insurance programs such as Medicaid and CHIP.

Covered California for Small Business (CCSB) is designed to provide health insurance plans for qualifying employers that want to offer coverage to their employees. CCSB offers small group health insurance plans through private insurance companies; employers that qualify for coverage can select one or more plans to offer to their employees and can set the premium rate that they will contribute to the plans. Federal tax credits to lower the cost of coverage are available to qualifying small businesses.

 

No-cost assistance is available through Linda White to help find the best health insurance plans for you, your family, or your business.

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