Health Insurance

Nowadays, nearly everyone knows someone who either has no health insurance coverage, has lost their insurance coverage, or they themselves are living with these exact same circumstances. California health insurance can no longer be thought of as a luxury – it is an essential! As the costs of medical procedures, treatments, and prescriptions continue to increase at astounding rates, people need a reliable source from which they can receive straight-forward, affordable California health insurance quotes. Thousands of people rely on insuranceUSA.com for just this reason. Health insurance is simply a written insurance policy which covers medical expenses, whether routine or emergency. Many states offer additional insurance coverage benefits, including long-term care and disability.

In this article, you will find all the information needed regarding the regulations of California health insurance, both for individual policy holders or those desiring a family or small group plan. You will also find fundamental facts concerning COBRA, which is an acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. This plan generally provides workers and their families who have lost their insurance coverage (due to an event such as job loss, reduction of work hours, etc.) the right to continue their group health insurance benefits, although normally for a limited amount of time and frequently at the person’s own expense.

You will also find useful statistical information which can assist you in comparing the health of fellow Californians with the health of people living in various other states.

This article will give you all the information you need about California health insurance to make an informed and intelligent decision when choosing the plan which is most suited to your needs and circumstances. When you have finalized your plan, we at insuranceUSA.com will be ready to provide you with the health insurance quotes needed to make your personal choice.

California Individual and Family Health Insurance
California does not regulate the types of individual or family health insurance policies that are written or regulated by insurance companies. California health insurance companies are allowed to design their own policies and they may choose whatever options they wish to offer – including benefits, co-insurance limits, deductibles. Some benefits, such as mammography, are mandated by the state. For individual health plans, all insurance companies in California have the right to deny coverage to any person based on their current or past health history. If you are applying for individual health coverage and you have a pre-existing medical condition, the California health insurance company has different actions they can take concerning your application. Firstly, they may categorically deny you all medical insurance coverage. Secondly, they may offer you coverage but refuse to cover any medical expenses related to the pre-existing condition. Thirdly, they may offer you full coverage, including coverage for the pre-existing condition. The insurance company makes this determination usually based on the severity of the pre-existing condition and also the estimated costs anticipated to maintain and treat the condition. These pre-existing conditions can be excluded for up to 24 months in a new policy. California health insurance companies are not required to give credit for prior insurance coverage.

California Group Health Insurance
For California health insurance for a group or company, the state of California requires that a company have between 2 and 5 employees. Employers, however, are not required to provide California health insurance to all employees. For instance, part-time employees many not qualify for coverage, or those who live outside of the area covered by the insurance. Eligible employees, regardless of their current state of health, are guaranteed medical benefits under the group insurance plan. Some California health insurance plans may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. These are usually conditions that have been treated within the previous six months. If an employee is not eligible for coverage for a pre-existing condition, there are different types of insurance that can provide benefits to cover conditions that are excluded from the group policy. Under California health insurance regulations, insurance companies may not impose waiting periods before coverage begins. However, employers can decide on waiting periods, if any, before the group insurance plan goes into effect for employees.

California COBRA Insurance
When a person is between jobs, California health insurance options follow the federal COBRA guidelines. COBRA applies to companies with at least 20 employees on staff. An eligible employee may decide to continue their California health insurance coverage through the COBRA plan for a maximum of 18 months. Extended periods of coverage are available for eligible dependents for 36 months, and disable persons for 29 months. COBRA is an extension of your previous California health insurance through your employer, and if your employer discontinues the group plan, then your COBRA benefits will also end. However, if this happens, additional California health insurance is available through the California Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ACHIA).

California Health Information and Statistics
If you are in the market for quality California health insurance, the following facts may be of interest to you. You will find helpful statistical information outlining how California ranks in many categories related to overall health, both medical and lifestyle, plus other pertinent material.

Some of the positives of residing in California are a low rate of cancer deaths, a very low incidence of smoking and a low prevalence of obesity. California also faces many challenges, such as high levels of air pollution, a high geographic disparity within the state, and a high rate of uninsured population.

According to a 2008 study, California had some significant changes over the past year. These include a decline in the incidence of infectious disease by 10% but also an increase in the prevalence in binge drinking by 10%. Since 1990, the premature death rate declined by 25% and the violent crime rate decreased by 43%.

Following is a variety of statistical data related to living in California, as compared with the rest of the country. These state rankings may be helpful when you consider purchasing California health insurance.

Prevalence of Smoking-2nd
Prevalence of Obesity- 9th
Violent Crime-38th
Children in Poverty-31th
Air Pollution-42nd
Cancer Deaths-6th
Lack of Health Insurance-44th
Prevalence of Binge Drinking-30th
Infant Mortality-9th
Infectious Disease-41st
Premature Death-14th

Overall Rank: 24
Change: +1

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