Health authorities issue a special appeal, as it appears that people who no longer qualify for Medi-Cal insurance are receiving letters from Covered California, but many are ignoring them.
The risk of ignoring these letters is that you could lose health coverage and also have to pay the penalty the state charges for not having health insurance, but the solution is simple.
Check your mail carefully and when the Covered California envelope arrives, don’t ignore it.
“We’ve found that some people have received the letter and they’re not opening it because they’re saying, oh, it’s from Covered California, and I don’t have Covered California,” said Patricia Izquierdo, a spokeswoman for Covered California.
What happens is that for the last three years, because of the pandemic, people who had Medi-Cal had not had to update their information to confirm that they still qualified, but as of this year, everything is back to normal, and upon review of their data, Medi-Cal determined that they are no longer eligible.
“There are people who already earn more money, and have changed the number of people in their family, and who no longer qualify for Medi-Cal,” he added.
Following changes to the system, many Californians with Medi-Cal coverage will be switching to Covered California.
And it is those people who are going to receive this letter.
“If you receive the letter from Covered California at home, it means that you have to open the envelope and contact us,” added Izquierdo.
There they will explain which health plan you qualify for now.
“Covered California has already selected the most affordable plan for each family,” he said.
But be careful, do not think that the transition to the new plan is automatic, you have to call and give your approval, otherwise you will be left without coverage.
“If their Medi-Cal has run out, and they are not enrolled in Covered California, they will have a period when the doctor will not see them. Many people have pre-existing conditions, hypertension, diabetes, among others, and need to see a doctor on a regular basis,” said Izquierdo.
Instructions are on the first page of the letter. The third is the cost of the plan that Covered California has selected for you. But to accept or change it, you have to call 1-800-816-4725. Remember that if you go without health insurance, which is required by California law, there is also a penalty.
“And the fine is approximately $850 per person, and for a family of four, $2,200 or a little more if they don’t have health insurance,” Izquierdo said.
So keep that in mind, and as soon as possible, call Covered California so you don’t end up without health insurance.
If you got rid of the letter, don’t worry, call the phone and there they will be able to guide you so that you have the necessary information and can sign up for the plan that best suits you.
