Process Issue During Sign-Up for Covered CA (Obamacare)

[stopbush]

I hit a process issue when trying to apply for insurance through Covered CA.

I'm out of work, so my wife is the only income for our family of 4 these days. We're basically living by cashing in assets when needed, assets we have from inheritances and savings.

Anyway, went to apply for Obamacare on Oct 1, and was told we might be eligible for Medi-Cal. In fact, the system presented that as the only option. Did that application and found out we weren't eligible because a family of 4 can have no more than $3300 in property assets to qualify. Property includes cars, homes, stocks, bonds, etc. Well, we're well over the $3300 limit, a fact I disclosed on the original Medi-Cal application.

So, went to apply for regular Obamacare, and the system said they were awaiting a determination from Medi-Cal on our eligibility. I called the case worker assigned to our Medi-Cal app, who called me back within an hour. She said that all I needed to do was send her a letter withdrawing our Medi-Cal app and she'd enter it in the system (essentially denying the claim), which would allow me to get past "Eligibility" and move on to "Shop for a plan."

Just a head's up to any of you who are out of work but have some savings/assets. Looks like you have to jump through a Medi-Cal hoop before being permitted to sign-up for a regular policy as the system is looking at income, not assets in determining initial eligibility.

[Mass]

1. I did not realize that the limits were so low in CA for Medical.

This is ridiculous. Nobody who has a car in working order qualifies, in this case.

[stopbush]

2. BTW - you're allowed to own ONE car and still qualify for Medi-Cal.

Two cars, and you're shit out of luck.