Covered California announces new rates for 2019
Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, has announced its rates for 2019, and Imperial County is one of three where consumers who renew their plans will see a rate decrease.
The overall rate change for consumers renewing their plans Imperial, Mono and Inyo counties is minus-0.5 percent, Covered California announced in a release. That compares to a statewide average rate increase of 8.7 percent.
The health exchange said consumers can bring their rate change down further to minus-3.5 percent if they shop around and switch to the lowest-cost plan in the same metal tier (bronze, silver, gold or platinum).
“Covered California’s marketplace fosters competition that puts consumers in the driver’s seat and gives them the power to shop and save,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “Health care is local, and the price of coverage varies by health plan and region, so consumers will be encouraged to shop when they renew this fall.”
The most recent data shows there are more than 13,000 Covered California members in Imperial, Mona and Inyo counties, and depending on their ZIP code, consumers in Covered California’s Region 13 will once again be able to choose plans from Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente and Molina Healthcare.
Covered California said that despite the recent federal decisions aimed at changing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, all 11 insurers currently serving Covered California consumers across the state will return for the 2019 coverage year. The exchange’s competitive marketplace continues to promote choice, with 96 percent of consumers being able to choose from two insurers or more and 82 percent of consumers having three or more choices.
Consumers can find out what they will pay for their 2019 coverage starting during the renewal period in October, when they can visit Covered California’s website at www.CoveredCA.com and begin using the Shop and Compare Tool for 2019.
Consumers who do not have health insurance can begin signing up for 2019 coverage on Oct. 15. Others with special qualifying life events, like losing their coverage or moving, can enroll year round. Medi-Cal enrollment is also year round.
People who are interested in signing up should go to www.CoveredCA.com where they can get help to enroll. They 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 enrollers 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.