The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) greatly changed California's insurance market. Here is what you need to know.
ACA: Individuals & families
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced all new coverage for individual and family plans as of January 1, 2014, with broader benefits, coverage, and new rules about how you buy plans.
Minimum essential coverage
Minimal essential coverage (MEC) is the type of coverage a person needs to meet the ACA "individual responsibility requirement." For plans 2018 and earlier, anyone who did not enroll in a plan that qualifies as MEC will have to pay a fine to the government.
Our involvement
Blue Shield of California believes that access to quality health care is a basic right, and we have long supported healthcare reform efforts at both the federal and state level.
Tools and resources
Get the tools and facts you need to understand health reform. We're working on new tools for you, so check back soon for new features and updates.
Medical loss ratio
These basics will help you understand the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) feature of federal health reform and what Blue Shield is doing to put it into action. The MLR helps member gets the most value from their health plans.