Californians are fortunate to have the strongest patients' rights laws in the nation. The DMHC is here to make sure these laws are followed and that all health plan members get the right care at the right time. Find out how in this section.
As California's unemployment rate continues to rise, not only are people left without jobs, they are also often left without health coverage. COBRA or Cal-COBRA may help the unemployed keep their group coverage. The Last year Governor Schwarzenegger took action to ensure that Californians who lose their jobs through layoff or other involuntary termination while working for a small employer are notified that they may be eligible for a 65 percent subsidy for their Cal-COBRA premiums, available under the federal stimulus bill. This federal subsidy permits eligible individuals to pay only 35 percent of their Cal-COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the health plans through a tax credit. To qualify, individuals must experience a COBRA qualifying event that is the involuntary termination of a covered employee's employment. The involuntary termination must occur during the period that began September 1, 2008 and ends on February 28, 2010. The subsidy is available for up to 15 months.
The federal law also permits certain eligible individuals who previously received the subsidy to either reinstate their coverage if they dropped or to obtain either a refund or a credit for any premium amount they may have paid above the subsidized premium amount prior to the extension of the subsidy from 9 months to 15 months.
Below is more information on both programs.
More COBRA and Cal-COBRA information.
Getting Covered: Finding Health Insurance When You Lose Your Job An information packet developed by Families USA.
Additional information for the unemployed.
