Congratulations, you’ve just brought home a new addition to the family, a truly life-changing event that brings unlimited joy to go along with limited sleep in those early days.
You’re probably thinking a lot about your future, and those plans should start with making sure you have quality health insurance for your growing family.
“As a parent of a toddler myself, I know firsthand the immense joy a new child brings to your life, while also worrying about how to keep them healthy and safe,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “Whether you gave birth to or adopted your new child, you may qualify to enroll during Covered California’s ongoing special-enrollment period.”
Children are expensive but getting them quality health insurance through Covered California doesn’t have to be. You may qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium payment. And more importantly, having health insurance helps protect you from financial hardship if you or your child need healthcare, but don’t have insurance.
“As a parent of two, I know how important those early doctor visits are to protect your child’s health and give them the best start in life,” said Covered California’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Monica Soni. “Take advantage of the special-enrollment period to get your child on a health insurance plan and get them set up with a pediatrician or family physician as soon as possible.”
With Covered California, you can choose from a variety of plans, all with free preventive care for you and your child, with access to different networks and doctors, including pediatricians and specialists. You can shop and compare plans easily online, or with the help of a certified enroller.
In addition to having a baby or adopting a child, the following circumstances are among the more common reasons people become eligible for special enrollment:
- Losing or changing jobs
- Getting married or entering a domestic partnership
- Graduating from college
- Turning 26 and coming off your parent’s health insurance plan
- Losing health care coverage
- Moving and gaining access to new health plans through Covered California that were not available where you previously lived
- Becoming a citizen, a U.S. national or a lawfully present individual
If you qualify under any of these conditions, you are eligible to get the health insurance you need to keep your family covered.
For more information on special-enrollment rules, please visit our website.
Those who qualify for Medi-Cal may enroll on CoveredCA.com year-round.
