California Health Insurance Plans

Why You Need Health Insurance in California
Find affordable health insurance for a lower cost than you might imagine.

Health insurance should no longer be considered a luxury but should be a necessity. With soaring medical costs, one single day in the hospital could put your savings and assets at risk. The average daily hospital stay in California is about $10,000. Year after year costs continue to rise with no end in sight. Having at least major medical insurance (also known as catastrophic health insurance) can protect you from financial devastation and provide you with quality medical care that you deserve. You may be surprised to learn just how affordable health insurance coverage can be. Obtain your own health insurance quotes by clicking on the insurance type above to get started or call us today.

Choosing a Health Plan
Health Insurance Plans for Families, Individuals and Students

For those of you who haven't researched health insurance plans and benefits lately, you could be in for a rude awakening. Plans today include a wide range of benefits but you'll want to know exactly what the plan covers before you buy. The cost of health insurance can be expensive but there are things you can look for in various products that will give you just the right amount of coverage to maximize your health care dollars.

Every consumer should not only be looking at the annual deductible, but they should also be looking at the out of pocket maximum (also known as oop). The out of pocket maximum is the maximum amount that you will pay in one calendar year (JAN – DEC) if something catastrophic (like hospitalization) happens to you. Some plans out of pocket maximum includes the annual deductible and with some plans, you need to add the annual deductible to the out of pocket maximum in order to determine what your potential out of pocket costs could be if you were to suffer something catastrophic. This is very important to know.

Review the benefit details and the plan brochure to see how exactly the plan works. If you really want to see the very detailed plan benefits, ask to see the specific plans Evidence of Coverage.

When researching a plan, look to see if there is a limitation to the number of doctor office visits. Plans that limit the number of office visits are generally less expensive.

Review the prescription benefits. Most companies utilize a drug formulary list. Depending upon how the specific drugs are displayed or not displayed on the list determines the price you will pay for those prescription drugs. Note that most brand drugs will be subject to a separate annual brand drug deductible before the brand drug co-payment will apply. Plan brand drug prescription deductibles can be as low as $250 or as high as $7500. Generic drugs are not subject to the annual brand drug deductible. Inquire into how your specific prescription drugs will be covered under a plan you are considering. Plans offering a high prescription drug brand deductible or that offer generic only prescription drug coverage tend to be less expensive.

When reviewing other benefits and when you come across a benefit with a percentage (example inpatient hospital 40% or outpatient hospital 40%) it usually represents your share of costs after you have satisfied the plans annual deductible. After your annual deductible, you will be billed at this percentage (based on a negotiated rate) until you reach the plans out of pocket maximum. Once the out of pocket is met, most of the services are covered at 100% for the duration of that calendar year.

One last thought. We are in the midst of health care reform. Plans are subject to change any time in order to remain compliant with health care reform laws. It pays to ask questions and compare your plan benefits at least once every two years. You'll be glad you did. Stay on top of healthcare reform up and coming changes and remember, a knowledgeable consumer is a smart consumer!

Individual & Family Health Insurance Plans
We work with many health insurance companies in California

As a consumer, you have many health insurance plans to choose from. We offer individual and family HMO and PPO plans through Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, PacifiCare, Aetna, Cigna and Kaiser Permanente. There are plans available to meet a wide variety of needs. Whether you are in between jobs, self employed, a student, no longer eligible for your parent's group plan or seeking an alternative to a group plan or limited health benefit policy. We are available to assist you. From low cost catastrophic coverage to higher priced comprehensive benefits, we can meet your needs and budget. Call us at (800) 560-2443 or email us at any time at info@californiahealthinsurance.com.