Medi-Cal to Covered California Transition Tool Kit
Help qualifying Californians transition from Medi-Cal to Covered California.
This tool kit provides resources and information for County Workers and local partners when discussing how ineligible Medi-Cal members can enroll in Covered California.
Easy Ways to Get the Word Out
Tools You Can Use
Newsletter Message
Please add the copy provided below to the notices being sent to consumers losing their Medi-Cal eligibility electronically or on paper:
Covered California offers a choice of many quality health plans such as Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser, Blue Shield, Molina, and Health Net. Many of these plans are more affordable than you might think - 4 out of 5 Covered California members receive financial help paying for their health insurance!
Covered California can help get you enrolled. You must act fast as you only have 60 days from the date of losing Medi-Cal eligibility to enroll in Covered California through the special enrollment period. This 60 day window allows you to enroll in a plan outside of open enrollment, which occurs at the end of each year. Call an expert or find free local help today!
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
ORFind a free certified enrollment counselor to speak with: https://www.coveredca.com/find-help/local
- How do I qualify for financial help with Covered California?
- Financial help, in the form of Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC), can lower the cost of health care for individuals and families who enroll in a health plan through Covered California and meet certain income requirements. For more information, please see the video here.
- More questions?
-
Call Covered California at (800) 920-1125, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Speak with a free certified enrollment expert here: https://www.coveredca.com/find-help/local
Contact Covered California through Facebook and Twitter
NOTE: If you believe you have received this message in error, please contact your county human services agency.
Email Message
From: DHCS or counties. To: Ineligible Medi-Cal population
Subject: Covered California: If you are losing Medi-Cal
Display Text: You have 60 days to enroll in Covered California!
Dear XXXX,
You may be eligible for health coverage through Covered California if you are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal due to an income increase or change in household size. In order to avoid a gap in your health coverage, Covered California can help you select a new plan before your Medi-Cal coverage ends.
Covered California offers a choice of many quality health plans such as Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser, Blue Shield, Molina, and Health Net. Many of these plans are more affordable than you might think - 4 out of 5 Covered California members receive financial help paying for their health insurance!
Covered California can help get you enrolled. You must act fast as you only have 60 days from the date of losing Medi-Cal eligibility to enroll in Covered California through the special enrollment period. This 60 day window allows you to enroll in a plan outside of open enrollment, which occurs at the end of each year. Call an expert or find free local help today!
Call today: 800-920-1125
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
ORFind a free certified enrollment counselor to speak with: https://www.coveredca.com/find-help/local
- How do I qualify for financial help with Covered California?
- Financial help, in the form of Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC), can lower the cost of health care for individuals and families who enroll in a health plan through Covered California and meet certain income requirements. For more information, please see the video here.
- More questions?
-
Call Covered California at (800) 920-1125, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Speak with a free certified enrollment expert here: https://www.coveredca.com/find-help/local
Contact Covered California through Facebook and Twitter
NOTE: If you believe you have received this message in error, please contact your county human services agency.
Talking Points
- Overview
- These talking points are to be used as a guide when speaking with Californians who have questions about Medi-Cal, Covered California, and the transition between the two programs.
- What is Covered California?
- Covered California is the marketplace where Californians can shop for health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California is where consumers can receive financial help in the form of an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) to reduce the cost of their health care coverage.
- I was told I no longer qualify for Medi-Cal. Now what?
- Experiencing a change in your Medi-Cal eligibility due to an income increase or change in household size is considered a qualifying life event for special enrollment, and you may be eligible for health coverage through Covered California. Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 to see if you qualify for a health plan and APTC, and receive help in finding the best plan for you and your family. You must act fast as you only have 60 days from the date of losing Medi-Cal eligibility to enroll in Covered California under special enrollment. This 60-day window allows you to enroll in a plan outside of open enrollment, which occurs at the end of each calendar year.
- How much does a plan cost through Covered California?
- The cost of a health plan through Covered California, also known as a monthly premium, varies based upon what plan you choose, where you live, and household size. You may also qualify, based on these same factors, for financial help in the form of an APTC to reduce the cost of healthcare coverage. Four out of five current Covered California members receive APTC to lower the cost of their monthly premium.
- Which doctor do I go to now that I’m a Covered California member?
- Covered California offers a choice of various health plans such as Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser, Blue Shield, Molina, and Health Net. You may choose your doctors based on the list of in-network physicians provided by your health insurance carrier. If you have trouble finding a doctor, or would like to request an updated list of in-network doctors, directly contact your selected carrier. Once you have successfully enrolled in a plan, made your first payment and received a medical card, you may visit your selected in-network physician. Visiting a doctor that is outside of your network may lead to higher out-of-pocket costs.
- More questions?
-
Call Covered California at (800) 920-1125, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Speak with a free certified enrollment expert here: https://www.coveredca.com/find-help/local
Additional Suggestions and Information
Link to the Covered California Website
Link to Covered California from your website. Go to our "Link to Us" Page for instructions on how to refer parents to Covered California's website from your own website.
Promote Covered California and Find Local Help
Promote the Covered California storefronts and events portal, where parents can find free, confidential, in-person help in their area. To find local events and storefronts, go to the "Find Help" Page.
Overview
Covered California is the marketplace where Californians can choose from a variety of health insurance plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California is the only place consumers can receive financial help in the form of an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) to reduce the cost of coverage. Four out of five Covered California members receive APTC to help pay for monthly premiums.
Before Covered California opened its doors in 2013, Medi-Cal was the primary source for free to low-cost health coverage available to qualifying families and individuals. The Affordable Care Act enables Covered California to expand existing Medi-Cal efforts to ensure more Californians have access to quality healthcare by offering a marketplace of private health plans.
If a consumer is no longer qualifies for Medi-Cal due to an income increase or change in household size, they may be eligible for coverage through Covered California. The majority of consumers transitioning from Medi-Cal to Covered California may qualify for financial help based on income. Medi-Cal and Covered California continue to work together to ease the consumers’ transition from one health coverage program to another.
Action is need as consumers only have 60 days from the date of losing Medi-Cal eligibility to enroll in Covered California during the special enrollment period. This 60 day window allows you to enroll in a plan outside of open enrollment, which occurs at the end of each year.
Here is more information about the special enrollment period (SEP): SEP Tool Kit Link