Consumers Given 9 Additional Days; Coverage Still Effective Starting Jan. 1, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California’s eleven health
insurance companies unanimously agreed Saturday to extend the deadline for
consumers to submit payment for their first month’s premium.
Consumers now have until Jan. 15 to get payment to the
companies. The nine additional days will
ease feelings consumers may have of being rushed to pay the invoices they
recently received.
The extension also assures health care companies time to
mail the invoices and for consumers to have received the documents. Payment for coverage taking effect Jan. 1 must be in the hands of the
health insurance companies by Jan. 15 and not simply postmarked or in-transit.
Meanwhile, about 200,000 households with coverage due to take
effect Jan. 1, and who supplied their email addresses to Covered California,
will receive direct notification about the payment deadline extension. Consumers
can also visit CoveredCA.com for instructions on how to pay their premium.
Health insurance companies stress that this is a one time
payment deadline extension, and that payment for coverage is due at the
beginning of each month.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in
partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged
with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small
businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage
starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is
available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they
are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare
health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health
needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance
plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans
and may qualify for federal tax credits.
Covered California is an independent part of the state
government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers.
It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature.
For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
