Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions
Covered California
When can I sign up for health insurance?
Will I get a membership ID card?
Can I get help with my application or with choosing a plan?
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By phone: Call us at (800) 650-0922. The call is free. -
In person: We have trained certified insurance agents who can help you. This help is free! For a list of places near where you live or work, visit collectivechoice.com/locations.
Which free preventive services are available in the health plans through Covered California?
A comprehensive list of free preventive care available in all health plans through Covered California can be found on the Using Your Plan page.
When can I renew my plan?
I received a Form 1095-A from Covered California. What is Form 1095-A?
Form 1095-A is a document you will need when you prepare your taxes. Click here to learn more about it.
Does Covered California offer dental and vision coverage?
All Covered California health insurance plans come with children’s dental coverage embedded in the health plan. In addition, Covered California offers optional family dental plans that provide dental benefits for adults.
When will I get my bill?
Once I'm enrolled, how do I use my plan? What do I do next?
View the Using Your Plan page to learn about all of the benefits of being enrolled and how to use your plan.
Is Covered California an insurance company?
No. Covered California is where Californians can get brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and see if they qualify for financial subsidies from the federal government to help them pay their monthly premiums.
Does Covered California offer health coverage for small businesses?
Yes. Visit the Covered California for Small Business section of our website to learn about the benefits for small businesses and their employees.
What if I choose not to get health insurance?
Beginning in 2020, having health coverage is the law. If you don’t have it, you may have to pay a penalty to the California Franchise Tax Board. Generally speaking, the penalty will be $695 per each adult and $347.50 per each dependent child under 18 in the household (up to $2,085 per family) or more when you file your 2020 state income tax return in 2021.
Am I eligible for Covered California?
Any legal resident of California can apply for health coverage through the Covered California health insurance marketplace.
How do I apply?
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Full name, as it appears on your Social Security card -
Birth date -
Social Security number (SSN) -
Residential address -
Telephone number -
Email for primary applicant -
If you’re a naturalized citizen: The number from your certificate of citizenship/naturalization (located at the upper right-hand corner) and your alien number (located just below, beginning with an “A”) -
If you’re not a citizen but have a visa/green card/foreign passport: Your alien/USCIS number and I-94/visa/green card/passport number -
Tax and income information -
How you file your taxes (i.e., as an individual, family, etc.) -
All employer names and addresses -
The projected income earned by each household member who has a job (if you’re self-employed, you’ll need to provide your average monthly income) -
Social Security and unemployment income -
Any other additional income, like interest, IRA, alimony, etc. -
Any deductions on your tax returns
Can I apply for Covered California if I don't have a Social Security number?
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You’ve applied for a SSN -
You don’t qualify for a SSN due to your immigration status -
You do not want to provide your SSN for religious reasons
Can I get financial assistance with Covered California?
When you sign up on the Covered California health insurance marketplace, you’ll find out if you qualify for subsidies. You can then use that financial assistance toward the plan you purchase. Just remember, these subsidies aren’t fixed and can fluctuate throughout the year as your income changes.
Is Covered California and Obamacare the same thing?
Covered California is the state's Obamacare exchange. This means your Obamacare plan options are the same as your Covered California options. The plans on Covered California are divided by carrier and into four different metal tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
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