Click to read Chinese version of this news release (中文)
Open Enrollment Runs Through Sunday, Jan. 31
Open Enrollment Runs Through Sunday, Jan. 31
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California joined with leaders
of the Asian-American community to spread the word that time is running out for
uninsured Californians to sign up for quality health insurance coverage.
“We are teaming up with leaders of Asian-American
communities to make sure that we reach out to everyone who is eligible for
coverage,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “We want to
drive home the message that the deadline is coming up and remind consumers that
financial help is available through Covered California.”
Assemblymember Rob Bonta, who chairs the Assembly Committee
on Health, said uninsured Asian-Americans across the state should explore their
options in this new era of health care and get coverage for 2016.
“Health care is now a right and not just a privilege for
the fortunate,” Bonta said. “Enrolling in Covered California gives people
access to the best doctors and hospitals in the state, and that is critical to
building strong families and communities.”
Assemblymember Kansen Chu, who
chairs the Assembly Committee on Human Services, said there is still time for
those who have waited to get coverage for the remainder of 2016.
“The uninsured are among the most
vulnerable in California and that can change now,” Chu said. “Every community in California can benefit from
better health service and lower costs for care.”
Tuesday’s
outreach effort included a teleconference with Covered California, Asian-language
media, Bonta and Chu, as well as officials from Asian Americans Advancing
Justice and Asian Pacific Health Care Venture Inc.
In addition, Bonta, Chu and Lee wanted to alert consumers
to the rising tax penalty if they choose to remain uninsured in 2016 and
reassure them that their immigration status will not be shared with immigration
authorities.
“We know that many mixed families live in California, and
consumers should know that when someone applies to Covered California their
information will not be shared or used by any immigration agency,” Bonta said.
Chu added: “A consumer’s information will only be used to
determine their eligibility for health insurance programs available under the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act and will not affect the immigration status
of any family member on the application.”
Covered California developed an immigration status fact
sheet for consumers. The fact sheet is online at the following links:
- Chinese: www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/immigration-fact-sheet-ca-chi.pdf.
- Korean: www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/immigration-fact-sheet-ca-kor.pdf.
- Vietnamese: www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/immigration-fact-sheet-ca-vie.pdf.
While
noncitizens and undocumented residents will not be eligible for Covered
California health insurance plans, they may still be eligible for specific,
limited Medi-Cal programs. Individual consumers and their families are
encouraged to research their options through Covered California to see what
health coverage is available to them.
As
for the tax penalty, in some cases a consumer could actually save money by
purchasing health insurance instead of paying the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS).
“The
tax penalty starts at $695 for an adult, or $2,085 for a family of four, and
can easily be several hundred or even thousands of dollars more,” Lee said.
“That’s money that goes straight to the IRS, and the consumer gets nothing in
return. Don’t gamble with your health or your financial future.”
For more information on how the tax penalty is calculated,
visit http://news.CoveredCA.com/2016/01/covered-california-estimates-hundreds.html.
Covered California has also built
an extensive network of Asian-language resources, including online resources
available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Lao, Tagalog and Hmong. These can be
found by clicking on “Other Languages” in the top right corner of www.CoveredCA.com.
Consumers
can also speak to certified enrollers in their language at (800) 300-1506 and
find thousands of local certified enrollers by visiting www.CoveredCA.com/get-help/local.
The in-person assistance is free, confidential and available in a variety of
languages throughout the state.
Consumers who apply may be
eligible for financial assistance depending on their income and family size. Approximately
nine out of every 10 enrollees receives some level of financial assistance to
help pay for their health care, with the average Covered California household
receiving $5,200 in financial assistance in 2014. Consumers can find out if
they qualify by using the Shop and Compare Tool on Covered California’s website.
Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31. Consumers who qualify
for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal can enroll at any time.
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. 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 about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
