California climbed to #24 – up one spot from its 2007 ranking as the 25th healthiest state to live in – according to a 2008 study by the United Health Foundation.
The good news:
The bad news:
The state's best and worst category ratings:
See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on California.
California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program
Toll-free 1-800-289-6574 or (916) 324-4695
Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.
An option for the medically uninsurable is a guaranteed-issue mini-med health insurance plan. There is no underwriting and no health questions are asked.
These plans provide basic coverage but are not designed to help with catastrophic expenses. They can often count as creditable coverage, eliminating the waiting period for pre-existing conditions if you later move to an employer-based plan. Read more here.
Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state.
Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in California.
California Department of Health Care Services and
California Department of Public Health
-- A 2007 reorganization has split into two the official government Web sites for departments responsible for health care services for Californians.
Medicare information from California State Department of Aging -- State government resources for Californians needing help with Medicare and other government health insurance programs on federal, state and local levels.
Office of Multicultural Health, California State Department of Health Services-- The state agency which tries to reduce inequality in health status, information and resources on multicultural health.
Consumer Information from the California State Department of Insurance -- Health insurance topics and information geared specially for consumers.
California State Department of Insurance -- Deals with issues of individual health insurance in California, as well as other types of insurance.
Health Access California – Health Access California is a non-profit organization dedicated to achieving quality, affordable health care for all Californians. For more than 15 years, Health Access has played a significant role in leading the movement for health care reform in California. Health Access has promoted universal health care proposals and advocated for specific incremental reforms that promise to provide immediate health care services to California's most vulnerable populations.
California Association of Health Plans – The Association promotes affordable health care for California consumers through legislative advocacy, informational communications and collaboration with other organizations.
California HealthCare Foundation – The foundation is an independent philanthropy committed to improving California's health care delivery and financing systems and to ensure that all Californians have access to affordable, quality health care.
Health Care for All–California – HCA is a nonprofit grassroots organization working for high quality, universal, single-payer health care.
Vote Health Coalition – Vote Health's mission is to win accessible, high-quality health care for everyone, regardless of legal status or ability to pay.
Ezra Klein (Washington Post) – The big news of the morning is a new version of the Senate HELP Committee’s health-care reform bill that seems to have everyone confused. The short version is this: CBO estimates that by 2019 the bill will cover 21 million people at a cost of $597 billion. But – and [...]
Health Insurance Resource Center – Democrats, time to put up or shut up. We don’t expect you to pull all 60 members of your caucus into voting for a public option, but we DO EXPECT you to be able to brush aside any filibuster designed to keep it from a vote.
Health Insurance Resource Center – Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), newly appointed as ranking minority member of the House Education and Labor Committee, is giving Rep. Michelle Bachmann a run-for-her-money as the looniest representative from the land of 10,000 lakes.
Contact your federal officials. President Obama needs your help to push Congress to make health insurance available, affordable and universal! Read more!
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
PHONE: 916-445-2841
FAX: 916-558-3160
Contact by e-mail
Contact your California State Senator and State Representative
|
Understanding COBRA, while COBRA's safety net may seem an obvious choice at first glance, it may not be the right option for everyone
Short-term health plans, also called Short-term Medical (STM) fill tall order for "in-betweens" |
Turned down for medical insurance?: "Mini Meds" are guaranteed-issue coverage to cover everyday medical expenses Self-employed health insurance -- navigating the tricky waters of individual health care policies |
Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), newly appointed as ranking minority member of the House Education and Labor Committee, is giving Rep. Michelle Bachmann a run-for-her-money as the looniest representative from the land of 10,000 lakes. Read more... (More blog posts)
Choose a State Health Insurance Guide
California Insurance Carriers