Insurance Questions? We Have Straight Answers.

Covered California is the state's ACA health insurance marketplace, where Californians purchase private plans from carriers like Blue Shield CA, Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Oscar, and Molina — often with federal premium tax credits and California's state-enhanced subsidies. Medi-Cal is California's free or low-cost public health coverage for residents under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. Your income determines which program you qualify for, and a certified Covered CA advisor can move you between them as your income changes.

Covered California for Small Business (formerly SHOP) lets California employers with 1–100 full-time-equivalent employees offer group health coverage from carriers like Kaiser, Blue Shield CA, Anthem, and Health Net. Employers choose a metal-tier reference plan and contribution level, employees pick their plan, and qualifying small businesses can claim the federal small-business health care tax credit (up to 50% of premiums). We help with setup, Section 125 cafeteria plans, and annual renewals.

For 2025, adults qualify for Medi-Cal in California with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — roughly $21,597/year for a single adult, $29,187 for a household of two, and $44,367 for a family of four. Pregnant individuals and children have higher limits (up to 213–266% FPL through Medi-Cal and MCAP). If your income is above the Medi-Cal threshold, you likely qualify for Covered California with both federal subsidies and California's state-enhanced subsidies.

As of January 2024, California extended full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status — making California the first state in the nation to offer comprehensive public health coverage to undocumented residents. Eligibility is based on income (under 138% FPL) and California residency, not immigration status. Applying for Medi-Cal does not affect immigration status and is not subject to public-charge rules. Our multilingual advisors help mixed-status families enroll with privacy and respect.

Plan availability and network strength varies by California region. In Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, and Molina all have strong networks — Kaiser is dominant in the Inland Empire and Orange County. In San Francisco and the Bay Area, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield CA, and Anthem have the broadest hospital networks (including UCSF, Sutter, and Stanford partners). The 'best' plan depends on your preferred doctors, hospitals, and medications. We cross-check every plan against your provider list before you enroll.

Covered California's Open Enrollment for 2026 coverage runs from November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 — California's open enrollment extends two weeks beyond the federal window. Outside of Open Enrollment, you can enroll if you experience a qualifying life event (job loss, marriage, baby, move, loss of Medi-Cal eligibility). Medi-Cal enrollment is open year-round.

On top of federal ACA premium tax credits, California adds its own state-funded subsidies through Covered California — making coverage more affordable than in most other states, especially for middle-income households. The state subsidies layer onto federal credits automatically when you enroll through Covered CA. Households earning between 138% and 600% of the Federal Poverty Level often see meaningful additional savings, and many lower-income Californians pay $0 or very low premiums.

Yes — our California advisors enroll clients in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. Covered California also publishes plan materials in many additional languages, and Medi-Cal applications are available in 19 threshold languages. We pair you with an advisor who speaks your preferred language at no extra cost.

Self-employed Californians, Uber/Lyft/DoorDash drivers, and freelancers usually qualify for Covered California with significant subsidies because they don't have employer coverage. We help you estimate annual income (including 1099 deductions), apply through Covered CA, and choose a plan with reasonable deductibles and telehealth — important when your schedule is unpredictable. You can also report income changes mid-year to keep your subsidy accurate.

Pediatric dental and vision are included in all Covered California plans by law. Adult dental and vision are not — Californians purchase those as standalone plans. We offer standalone CA dental and vision plans plus family bundles, with statewide networks across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and the Central Valley.