Individuals and Families

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, putting in place a series of comprehensive reforms. This law is commonly referred to as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Health Care Reform, or Obamacare.

In response, and to comply with this new law, California designed a state-run insurance marketplace called Covered California. This is the name of the public health insurance marketplace or “exchange” in California. Each year, eligible enrollees can apply for coverage through CoveredCA and be considered for financial assistance. Qualified health insurance can also be purchased outside of CoveredCA through a private marketplace or “off-exchange.” The private market offers a simplified enrollment process, more carrier choices and additional plan options, but offers no financial assistance.

Before purchasing coverage, please click here to check out our new explanatory video.

How OnlyHealthInsurance Can Help

Based on our experience working in both marketplaces, we came to the conclusion that the best way we can help consumers is to work in the private market exchange. Despite not offering financial assistance, the private exchange offers more carrier choices, plan options, and a simpler enrollment process. For those who don’t qualify for financial assistance, or who prefer not to enroll through CoveredCA, the private market is the marketplace to enroll through. (To learn more about California’s Health Insurance Marketplace please click here.)

If you are considering individual or family health insurance, have decided to enroll in a private exchange plan, or are not sure what type of plan you’re eligible for, we hope you will contact us for assistance. After understanding your personal circumstances and health insurance needs, we can make an assessment and recommendation for the most appropriate solution. If it is determined that applying through CoveredCA is your best option, we can provide you with a referral to a knowledgeable broker who works in the public exchange market.

For comparisons and quotes for private market plans, please click Get a Quote. You can also schedule a phone appointment with us by clicking here.

With few exceptions, legal residents of California are required by law to have coverage from: an employer group plan, CoveredCA, a private exchange, Medi-Cal, or Medicare. Not having qualifying coverage can result in a fine.