The Exchange: Covered California
Individual and Family Plans
Beginning in 2014, Americans must purchase health insurance or pay a tax. To facilitate purchasing, health insurance exchanges (also known as marketplaces) have been set up across the nation as a place where individuals and small businesses can compare and purchase standardized coverage.
California's marketplace is called Covered California. Blue Shield has been chosen by Covered California to participate in this marketplace in all 19 pricing regions throughout the state, so most individuals will have the choice to purchase Blue Shield coverage through Covered California or continue to purchase coverage as they do today – directly through Blue Shield or through a broker. Those who meet certain federal guidelines will be eligible to receive premium assistance (federal subsidies) to help pay their monthly premium, or even enroll in a plan with lower cost-sharing for medical services. To take advantage of these subsidies, consumers who qualify must enroll in a plan offered through Covered California. We can help you determine if your client is eligible for subsidies, and whether it makes sense for them to apply for a Blue Shield plan through Covered California or directly through Blue Shield.
Additional resources
Learn more about our IFP portfolio
Sales resources and collateral
Blue Shield Plans Sold Exclusively Through Covered California
Take a look at cost-sharing reduction plans offered through Covered California. For eligible consumers, these plans offer reduced out-of-pocket costs for medical care.
We also offer plans for eligible American Indians & Alaskan Natives. These plans offer American Indian & Alaskan Native members the opportunity to use American Indian and Alaskan Native providers for $0 out of pocket.
Broker Certification
Brokers must be certified by Covered California to sell plans through Covered California. Covered California hosts online training and certification courses. If you have already been certified by Covered California in the past, you will not be required to be recertified to sell plans through Covered California for the 2015 open enrollment period. However, you will be required to sign a new Covered California Agent Agreement. Covered California is in the process of mailing out new agreements to certified agents. Contact Covered California for additional details.
Learn more about Covered California
Why Blue Shield?
While your clients will have several health carriers to choose from in the new market, here are just some of the reasons they should choose Blue Shield:
- Our mission is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality health care at an affordable price.
- Our new rates are both competitive and affordable.
- As a not-for-profit company, Blue Shield of California is for our members' care, not profits.
- We have pledged to limit our net income to 2%. Profits greater than 2% are returned to our members, invested into the community, or used to improve the quality of health care.*
- Our networks include many of California's doctors and hospitals
- We make understanding and shopping for a health plan simple, so it's easier for your clients to find and obtain the coverage they need.