Medicare Blog

why is covered california asking for proof of medicare

by Prof. Marcelle Okuneva Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Covered California may request proof that you have minimum essential coverage. This proof determines whether you are already enrolled in a qualified health plan, also known as an Obamacare California plan, that meets the individual responsibility requirement and may disqualify you from subsidies through Covered California.

Proving You Are Not Enrolled In Medicare
Covered California is performing more cross references with federal databases to make sure people meet the conditions for the APTC subsidy.
Mar 18, 2020

Full Answer

Why is covered California asking for proof of enrollment?

When Covered California requests proof of this, it usually means that they want to see that you are not already enrolled on a Qualified Health Plan (i.e., and Obama Care California plan) that meets this requirement that could possibly disqualify you from receiving subsidies through Covered California.

Can I Keep my Covered California plan if I have Medicare?

If you currently have a Covered California plan and become eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), you can keep your current Covered California plan, but you will have to pay the full cost. You must report your Medicare eligibility to Covered California within 30 days of becoming eligible.

Do I need to submit proof of health insurance to Covered California?

As of 2019, this mandate has been discontinued at the federal level, though the requirement and penalty still apply to California residents. To ensure you have this coverage, you may need to submit proof. By submitting your proof to Covered California, you can avoid being penalized when you file your state tax return.

What is Obamacare California qualified health plan proof?

This proof determines whether you are already enrolled in a qualified health plan, also known as an Obamacare California plan, that meets the individual responsibility requirement and may disqualify you from subsidies through Covered California.

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Can I get Covered California if I have Medicare?

Medicare is not part of Covered California and if you are enrolled in Medicare, you cannot purchase a Covered California health plan. Covered California does not offer Medicare supplement insurance, Medigap, or Part D drug plans.

How can I prove I don't have Medicare?

To show lack of Medicare eligibility or enrollment:Letter or statement from Medicare or the Social Security Administration stating that you or your family members are: ... If you are unable to obtain this letter, you may complete and submit an Attestation of Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Status form.

Can I cancel Medicare and get Covered California?

Covered California won't automatically cancel your plan when you enroll in Medicare. You should call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 (TTY: 888-889-4500) as soon as you know your Medicare eligibility and start date. Covered California requires a 14-day notice before canceling your coverage.

Does Covered California ask for proof of income?

A. Covered California will accept a clear, legible copy from the allowable document proof list from the following categories which you can click on for more details: Proof of Income, Proof of Citizenship or Lawful Presence, Proof of California Residency, and Proof of Minimum Essential Coverage.

What is Medicare Evidence coverage?

Evidence of Coverage (EOC) is a notice you receive from your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan in late September. It lists the plan's costs and benefits that will take effect on January 1 of the upcoming year. Review the EOC to see if the plan will meet your health care needs in the next year.

How long does Covered California take to verify?

From the time we received the completed online Covered Ca app, we generally process it and confirm enrollment within 24 hours. Since we scrub the entire app, there may be follow up questions to make sure you get the full tax credit available.

Is Covered CA cheaper than Medicare?

You may experience higher costs with Medicare than your subsidized Covered California plan. Don't be shocked if you are moving from Covered California to Medicare only to find worse coverage, fewer benefits, and higher costs.

Can you have Medicare and Medi-Cal at the same time?

The short answer to whether some seniors may qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) is: yes.

What is the difference between Covered California and Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal offers low-cost or free health coverage to eligible Californian residents with limited income. Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace where Californians can shop for health plans and access financial assistance if they qualify for it.

Does Medi-Cal verify your income?

No. This program uses Social Security's countable income calculation to determine your income. Additionally, the WDP Program does not count unearned income from private or public disability benefits (such as SDI, SSI, SSDI, STD, LTD ) when determining your countable income.

Does Medi-Cal check your tax return?

For tax year 2014, health coverage for Medi-Cal is reported by self-attestation by checking a block on your tax return when filing your taxes.

What happens if I don't report my income change to Covered California?

So what happens if at the end of the year your income falls into a different income level and you did not report the change? If your income is higher than you thought it would be, you will have to pay your advanced premium tax credit (APTC) back!

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What happens if you keep Medicare in California?

If you are eligible for Medicare and you keep your Covered California plan, you may face serious consequences. For example: You may have to pay back all or some of your premium tax credits to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Or, there could be a delay in your Medicare coverage start date.

How long does it take to enroll in Medicare in California?

People with a plan through Covered California who have been determined disabled by the Social Security Administration will be automatically enrolled in Medicare within two years of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) income.

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B, also known as medical insurance, covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. Medicare Parts A and B combined is also known as “Original Medicare.”. Medicare Part D, also known as prescription drug coverage, can be added to Original Medicare.

How to contact Covered California?

Then, call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 (TTY: 888-889-4500) and tell us about your Medicare coverage.

How long do you have to cancel a Medicare plan in California?

You will need to cancel your health plan through Covered California at least 14 days before you want your coverage to end.

What to do if you can't afford Medicare?

If you can’t afford your Medicare costs or premiums, you can see if you qualify for financial assistance programs to help. Contact your local county office to see if you’re eligible for income-based Medicare Savings Programs that can lower your Medicare costs, including help with paying your premiums.

When does Medicare enrollment end?

The initial enrollment period starts three months before the month you turn 65 and it ends three months after the month you turn 65.

What happens if you buy a QHP but later decide to reenroll in Medicare?

If you decide to buy a QHP now but later decide to reenroll in Medicare, you may be charged a late enrollment penalty for Parts A and B and possibly Part D as well if the QHP doesn’t provide prescription drug coverage as good as Medicare’s.

How to contact Covered California for Medicare Part D?

Call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506 for help.

How to speak with someone at Covered California?

To speak with someone at Covered California, call 1-800-300-1506.If you decide to keep your Part B and buy a QHP but later decide to re-enroll in Medicare Part A, you may be charged a late enrollment penalty.

How to find Medicare Advantage plan?

To find a Medicare Advantage plan in your area and/or for individual assistance call your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advo cacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-434-0222.

How do insurance companies coordinate health benefits?

State law usually specifies how insurance companies will coordinate health benefits when a person has primary coverage from more than one source. In that situation, insurance companies determine which coverage is primary and which is secondary.

How long do you have to sign up for Medicare?

When initially eligible for Medicare, you have 7 months to sign up for Parts B and D. This time, called the initial enrollment period (IEP), begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month and ends 3 months after your birthday month.

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes called Obamacare, established standards and requirements for health insurance for people not covered by Medicare. It also established exchanges or Marketplaces where people can compare the benefits and costs of various medical insurance plans, ...

Does Covered California keep your information private?

A. Covered California has said that, “All information you provide to us about immigration status will be kept secure and private and will not be used by any immigration agency for the purpose of immigration enforcement.”.

Can covered California verify receipt?

A. Covered Cali fornia is not able to verify receip t and asks that you wait for it to be processed and for a status update to appear in your Covered California Online Application or by letter. If any additional information is requested they will contact you by phone or letter. Q.

What is RIDP in a Calheers application?

The remote identification proofing (RIDP) sends the primary applicant’s information to Experian who checks the information against the Federal Data Services Hub (FDSH). Experian then returns to the CalHEERS user is a series of questions that, presumably, only the real applicant can answer thereby confirming the identity. The identity confirmation questions can range from previous street addresses, mortgage applications, cities the applicant has lived in to the number of rooms in their house.

What is identity proofing in California?

On August 4th Covered California rolled out another enhancement to their CalHEERS program called “identity proofing”. Before an account holder, Covered California customer service representative (CSR) or Certified Insurance Agent can either Report a Change or create a new enrollment for a health plan, the primary applicant’s identity must be verified. This “Identity Proofing”, as it is called, may present a technical challenge for some users of the CalHEERS program and cause delays for others.

What is the critical to identity proofing process?

Hub Response: applicant is deceased. Critical to the identity proofing process is that the correct name and address is used. All that information needs to match with the records that may be on file with the federal system.

Can electronic identity confirmations fail?

With the exception of sending in a paper application with a signature, the electronic identity confirmations could still fail in one way or another. The failure will result in a delay of the change to the account or submission of an application.

How to terminate Medicare in California?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Visit a Social Security office. 2. Terminate the plan . Contact the Covered California plan with information that you are or will be eligible for Medicare and specify a date when you want to terminate the plan.

How long does it take to enroll in Medicare?

If you need to voluntarily enroll in Medicare: Enroll during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. Your IEP starts 3 months before the month you become eligible for Medicare, continues with the month you turn 65 and 3 months following. ...

What to do when you are enrolled in Medicare?

When you are enrolled in Medicare, you have options. One option is choosing between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan. If you choose Original Medicare, you may want to consider buying a Medigap. Another option is enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan.

Why don't people pay for Medicare?

Most people don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A because they or their spouse paid a tax called FICA (which stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act) for at least 10 years . The FICA tax is withheld from paychecks to fund Medicare and Social Security.

When does Medicare start?

If you enroll anytime in January, February or March, your Medicare will begin April 1. If you enroll in the month of your 65th birthday, called the month of eligibility, your Medicare will begin the following month. In our example, if you enroll in April, your Medicare will begin May 1.

Do I need to enroll in Medicare if I have not signed up for Social Security?

You need to voluntarily enroll in Medicare if you have not signed up for Social Security benefits. People who applied for Social Security retirement benefits before turning 65 and people who qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are automatically enrolled in Medicare. The following information is for people becoming eligible ...

What is an employer statement?

Employer statement indicating no offer of affordable minimum value employer-sponsored coverage. Self-attestation, where the individual is unable to provide any of the above documents. To show lack of Medicare eligibility or enrollment: Eligible for (but not enrolled in) Part A coverage that requires premium payments.

Is it acceptable to verify eligibility for Part A?

It’s not acceptable for verifying eligibility for Part A ; or. No longer eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, and your coverage has ended or will end in the next 90 days.

Is Medicare Part A or B?

Not eligible for or enrolled in premium-free Medicare Part A; or. Eligible for (but not enrolled in) Part A coverage that requires premium payments. Important: A Social Security document that shows you don’t pay a premium for “Medical Insurance” refers to Part B.

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