Health Insurance Carriers in California (CA)
Health insurance rules and regulations are different in every state, and the providers who offer coverage in California have different plans available. We have developed a list of providers for your convenience. Check out our recommended links for more information. At the bottom of the page, you will find some information about California health insurance. Request more information >>
Health Insurance Carriers in California:
Aetna
Assurant Health (Formerly Fortis)
Blue Cross of California
Blue Shield of California
Clarendon National Insurance Group
CPIC Life
Fairmont Specialty Group / TIG
Health Net of California
Kaiser Permanente of California
PacifiCare of California
Security Life
Individual Health Insurance in California (including Self-Employed)
- Individual health policies have different rules. You can be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition (unless you are eligible with HIPAA) and with no restrictions on premiums.
- HIPAA eligible people cannot be turned down for individual insurance, cannot be given pre-existing condition exclusion periods, and have restrictions on the price of insurance.
- According to the California Department of Insurance, if you have been covered by any health insurance policy and have had no breaks in coverage longer than 62 days, you must be given creditable coverage for prior insurance by the new company.
- Illness is not a basis for cancellation.
Self-Employed Health Insurance in California
California does not allow the self-employed person to purchase group health insurance.
Group Health Insurance in California (including Small Business)
- As long as you qualify, you won’t be refused group health insurance in California based on a pre-existing condition, nor will you be required to pay extra. Once you have acquired group insurance, sickness will not cause you to be cancelled.
- For those who apply for group insurance at a new job with a pre-existing conditions, you can’t be denied although you may be excluded from coverage for a period of time.
- If you have not had a break in health coverage longer than 63 days, you are eligible for creditable coverage.
- Insurance companies are allowed to review for pre-existing conditions only the six months immediately preceding new coverage. Additionally, genetic information is not considered a pre-existing condition.
- HMOs can require an affiliation period, which is a limited waiting time.
- Conversion policies are available individually to those who lost group insurance after holding it for at least three months.
- Pregnant women have additional rights, as well.
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Small Business Health Insurance in California
- Small group health insurance will not be denied to any small business for reasons concerning their employees. However, if one of the employees has a pre-existing condition, the insurance company may charge a higher premium for coverage.
- California allows a business of any size to purchase group health insurance through a qualified, statewide alliance or trade association.
- Contact the California Department of Insurance for information on joining associations for the purpose of attaining group health insurance.
California Health Care Programs
For the most up-to-date and accurate information, please contact the California department below:
California Department of Insurance
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1700
Sacramento, CA 95814
(800) 927-HELP
(213) 897-8921
www.insurance.ca.gov/docs/index.html
- The Major Risk Medical Insurance Program is available for 36 months to low income individuals with a pre-existing condition. After 36 months, they are guaranteed an individual health insurance policy with price limits and without exclusions for their pre-existing condition.
- For those with limited incomes, the Medi-Cal program is available. Those without health insurance but have children are under the age of 18 can buy Healthy Families program insurance.
- Access for Infants and Mothers may be available to some middle income mothers and infants.
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