Who is eligible for Covered California?

Any resident of California can apply for health insurance through Covered California. There are various programs to meet all income levels. Plus, you cannot be denied coverage if you have a preexisting condition.

If you have insurance through your employer, are currently enrolled in Medicare or already have a private insurance plan, you do not need to enroll with Covered California. However, if you think you may qualify for tax credits or other health care assistance such as Medi-Cal, you can still apply to find out if Covered California can help you save money on your health insurance premiums or provide better coverage to meet your health needs.

If you currently do not have health insurance coverage and you do not enroll in a plan by March 31, 2014, you could be penalized. If you are uninsured in 2014, the penalty is $95 per adult or one percent of annual income, whichever is greater. The penalty will increase over the next few years. In addition, according to healthcare.gov, “People without health coverage who pay the fee will also have to pay the entire cost of all their medical care.”