Before you walk down that aisle and “style and profile” on your wedding day, you have a million things to think about. Make sure your health insurance coverage is one of them.
We are in the middle of wedding season, which happens to coincide with Covered California’s special-enrollment period, and getting married is one of the ways Californians can qualify to sign up for health insurance instead of having to wait until open enrollment in the fall. As long as you apply for coverage within 60 days of your wedding, you are eligible to sign up.
“We would like to congratulate all Californians getting married over the next few months, and we encourage all of those who do not have health insurance to get signed up during our special-enrollment period,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “As you begin your married life, give yourself one less thing to worry about by getting covered and ready for any health emergency.”
Besides getting married, the following circumstances are among the more common reasons individuals become eligible for special enrollment:
-They lost their health coverage because they have lost or changed jobs
-They have a baby, adopt a child or place a child for adoption or in foster care
-They move and gain access to new Covered California health insurance plans that were not available where they previously lived
-They become a citizen, a U.S. nation or a lawfully present individual
If you qualify under any of these conditions, you are eligible to get health insurance and join the 1.4 million Californians who chose to get coverage for themselves and their families through Covered California.
Covered California also recently launched a graduation campaign during this special-enrollment period aimed at students who had their health care needs provided by their school and are losing that coverage upon graduation, or are turning 26 and aging out of their parents’ health plan. Covered California work with the state’s colleges and universities to promote the value of health insurance, sending educational materials to inform students about their health care options to more than 70 campus health centers.
Make sure to take advantage of the financial help available to you and your family. During the recently-completed open enrollment period, the 85 percent of Covered California enrollees who receive subsidies saw their cost of coverage drop 11 percent in 2018 over the previous year. Nearly 60 percent of subsidy-eligible enrollees have access to Silver coverage for less than $100 per month, and 74 percent can purchase Bronze coverage for less than $10 per month. That is less than what some people pay for their cell phone bill.
For more information on special-enrollment rules, visit http://www.CoveredCA.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/special-enrollment. Those who qualify for Medi-Cal may enroll through Covered California year round.
Eligible consumers can explore their options and find out if they qualify for financial help by using the Shop and Compare Tool. They can also get free and confidential enrollment assistance by visiting www.coveredca.com/find-help/ and searching among 800 storefronts statewide, or more than 17,000 certified enrollees who can assist consumers in understanding their choices and enrolling, including individuals who can assist in other languages. In addition, consumers can reach the Covered California service center by calling 800-300-1506.
