How to Qualify for Health Insurance in California

Getting health insurance in California can seem difficult due to problems with high cost and lack of eligibility. However, there are many options available that are sponsored by the state government to increase access to care. In just a few steps, you can get health insurance in California for yourself and your family.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. If possible, get an employer health plan by getting a job or sign up for COBRA
   
   If you lose coverage, COBRA provides 18 months of coverage after a job loss. Even after COBRA expires, insurers have to offer a conversion policy that does not require underwriting (no medical exams, no health questions). The conversion policy will last indefinitely unless you fail to pay your premiums.
   
   The government gives a 9 month subsidy that pays 65% of your COBRA premiums, which may beat private health insurance depending on your age and health.

2. Apply for California health insurance at your local county social services agency. They will evaluate your family situation and income to figure out which health insurance programs you qualify for.
   
   Some of them include:
   Healthy Families (health insurance for poor children)
   Medicare (federal universal health care, need to be over 65 or disabled)
   Medi-Cal (health insurance for the poor)

3. Take classes at a California community college. In most cases, they have a health insurance program with guaranteed entry for students. The cost goes up very high if you are not in your 20s, so keep that in mind before you start enrolling in classes solely for the purpose of getting medical insurance in California.

4. Apply for the MRMIP program (Major Risk Medical Insurance Program), which allows you to get health insurance through the state of California if you've been turned down everywhere else for health insurance.
   
   This is California's high risk health insurance pool for those deemed uninsurable. In order to be eligible for MRMIP, you have to be:
   
   * a California resident
   * not eligible for Medicare
   * not eligible for COBRA or Cal-COBRA
   * not able to secure health insurance by any means (eg. turned down due to health problems)
   
   Save proof of being turned down, because you will need it during the MRMIP application. In many cases, there is a waiting list to get into MRMIP so there may be a delay before you can get health insurance in California.

5. If you are not eligible for any programs above, contact your local county hospital to find out if you're eligible for their financial assistance programs where you pay a small copay for the care you receive. There are income eligibility requirements for this.