EMERGENCY HEALTH INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
We get many requests for “Emergency health insurance”.
The calls usually come from one of three situations:
- “I just want a plan to cover emergency situations”
- “I need health insurance real fast!”
- “I’m in the hospital, I need emergency health insurance”
Those are the big ones.
We need to look at what options work for each situation.
They’re all different as are the options.
Let’s look at each in California and figure out the best approach.
If you need coverage for something that has already happen, Medi-cal may be the only option.
You can contact them here:
Otherwise, let’s look at options for getting health insurance quickly or to cover more catastrophic issues.
Catastrophic Coverage – “I Want A Plan To Cover Emergencies”
These people generally mean they want “catastrophic health insurance“.
They’re looking for low cost plans to cover the “big what if”.
It’s actually a smart way to insure these days but we’re a bit limited by the new ACA health law.
Let’s look at two approaches.
Short term health insurance
A person can get short term coverage which is month to month and can start midnight following enrollment.
These plans are not ACA compliant so you may still have a penalty for not having qualified insurance.
The short term plans will also eventually “term” out. You would need to get a new apply (based on health) or enroll in an ACA plan during open enrollment (usually Nov 1st – Jan 31st).
So short term is fast to enroll, for a short period of time, and does a pretty good job with emergency health situations.
You can quote California short term plans here.
What’s the alternative?
Covered Ca coverage based on income
If our income estimate for this year is within a certain range, there may be better options here.
The outcome can go two different ways.
If our income is below the minimum amounts below, you may be eligible for Medi-cal right away. This can be enrolled in any time of the year.
If your income is between the minimum and maximum for your size of household (everyone that files together on one 1040 tax form). you may be eligible for a tax credit.
Tax credits are good…real good.
For emergency coverage, we can still get a Bronze plan with the tax credit.
The income piece is tricky so call us at 800-320-6269 or run your instant quote here.
Our services are free as Certified Covered Ca agent.
If you qualify for a tax credit or Medi-cal, we should go this way since you’ll avoid the tax penalty and it could be cheaper than the short term health insurance above.
If not, the short term may be the better value for emergency health insurance.
Let us know your best estimate for this year’s income and we’ll see what pencils out better.
That’s what we do.
One note, for the tax credit option, we need to enroll during open enrollment or with a special enrollment trigger (loss of coverage, move, family make-up change, etc).
If we’ve missed open enrollment and don’t have a special trigger, we may have to go with Short term for emergency coverage.
We can help you look at your situation either way at 800-320-6269.
#2 “I Need Emergency Health Insurance Real Fast”
Many people call and they’re nervous.
They don’t have health insurance right now and short of locking themselves indoors, they want coverage fast!
Short term is the best option (at least in the near term) for fast, emergency health insurance.
You can quote the short term health plans here.
You can get an effective date as early as midnight following the online enrollment.
Enrollment takes 5 minutes and it’s all online.
Nothings faster. We can’t backdate effective dates unless you qualify for Medi-cal.
Medi-cal enrollment can happen year round and the effective date usually goes back to the 1st of the month in which we enroll.
Medi-cal eligibility for emergency coverage is primarily driven by income. Look at the table above and see if your income estimate is below the minimum range.
If so, you may be able to get Medi-cal back to the 1st of the month.
They can even help with health care bills from prior 3 months if eligible.
If your income amount is higher, short term is the next best option.
Worst case, you can get the short term and simultaneously enroll in the ACA plans during open enrollment or due to a Special enrollment trigger.
The ACA plans (Covered Ca or off-exchange) have special rules for effective dates.
Best case, you get coverage 1st of the month following enrollment (loss of group coverage)
Worst case, you get 1st of the month after one month month following enrollment.
It’s a lot of information. We know. We can help you at 800-320-6269 at no cost to you.
There’s a lot at stake to get good emergency health insurance so don’t go in alone.
#3 I Need Emergency Health Insurance. I Just Broke My Leg!!”
This one’s tricky.
It’s akin to buying house insurance when your house is on fire.
The new ACA health plans are guaranteed issue which means you can’t be declined based on health but there are offsets due to this.
For one, we have to enroll during Open Enrollment (Nov 1st – Jan 31st most years).
If we miss this Open Enrollment, we need to have a special enrollment trigger to qualify.
This can be loss of qualified coverage, move to/within California, change in family make-up, change immigration/legal status, and a few others.
Alternatively, if our income is below the minimum amounts above, we may be eligible for Medi-cal which can actually go back to the 1st of the month in which we’re enrolling.
There’s even a potential for help for emergency health care expenses in past 3 months with Medi-cal.
If your income is low, that may be the only options for existing, emergency health care needs.
Short term coverage can start midnight following enrollment but it’s medically underwritten (based on health) and generally does not cover existing conditions.
If you qualify for an ACA plan (including Covered California), the effective date will be the 1st of the month following enrollment (at best) and potentially 1 month after that (at worst).
Health insurance is not designed to address current emergency health care needs.
Call us at 800-320-6269 or run your instant quote for both ACA and Short term plans here.
We’ll see what we can do for you.
Emergency health insurance California Quote with Tax Credits to view rates and plans side by side from the major carriers…Free.
Again, there is absolutely no cost to you for our services. Call 800-320-6269 Today!
Your Calhealth Advantage
Our online tools, free quotes and licensed agents are here to help you find a plan.

ON THE BLOG
Featured Articles
California Individual Vision Insurance
California Health Reform Subsidy
California Health Insurance Resource List
California Health Insurance Rate Increases
California Health Insurance Office Copay
California Health Insurance Maternity and Individual
California Health Insurance Individual Versus Cobra
California Health Insurance Individual Underwriting
California Health Insurance Group Value Dental Vision
California Health Insurance Group Kaiser
California Health Insurance Definitions
California Health Insurance Coverage Rescission
California Health Insurance Continuing Education
California Health Care Rights
California Blue Shield Vital Shield
Best California Health Insurance Plan
Affordable California Health Insurance
Understand Senior California Health Insurance
Covered California for Small Business
Individual California Health Insurance If Declined
Individual California Health Insurance Application Questionnaire
Health Net California Application Center
GURU Which Plan Should I Go With
GURU Subsidy If Offered Group Coverage
Do HSA Funds Roll Over
Compare and Contrast Alieracare Health Sharing Plan Benefits
California Vision Insurance Group
California Individual Dental Insurance
California HSA Plans and Health Reform
California Health Insurance Simplified
California Health Insurance Hospital Plans
California Health Insurance College Plan
California Health Insurance Cancel Individual Group Insurance
California Health Exchange Platinum Plan
California Health Exchange and Non Exchange Plans
Bronze California Health Plan
Covered California Open Enrollment How To
Covered California Open Enrollment
Covered California Early Pre Enroll
Small Business Tax Credits Covered California
GURU What If I Miss Open Enrollment Period
Free Assistance Covered California Enrollment
Covered California Enrollment After Open Enrollment
Comparing Deductible and Out of Pocket
California PCIP Health Insurance
California Medi-cal
California Health Insurance Group How to Choose
Avoid Bad Health Insurance Plan
Anthem Blue Cross California Application Center
How to Quote United Health National Restaurant Association
Hold On to Grandfathered Health Plans
Health Insurance for Engineering Firms
GURU What Income Period Do They Look At
Carriers
California Health Subsidy Calculator
California Health Reform Penalty
California Health Insurance Group Guaranteed Issue
Are Health Care Sharing Ministry Plans Worth It
Travel Medical Insurance
Term Life Insurance in California
Health Reform Rebates California Health Insurance
GURU Do I Use Business or Personal Gross Income
Guide Continuation of Coverage
Federal Poverty Level and California Health Insurance
California Individual Family Delta Dental
California Health Insurance Exchange
California Health Insurance Discount Plans
California Health Insurance Coinsurance
California Health Insurance Agencies
California Family Health Insurance
Obamacare Health Insurance for Gig Economy
Complaints California Health Plan
California Health Insurance Copays
Anthem Blue Cross Covered California Plans Rates Networks
Short Term Health Insurance
Short Term Insurance
Kaiser Covered California Rates Plans
California Health Insurance Individual Split Policy
Blue Shield of California
HSA Versus PPO Health Plans California
GURU What Effective Date Can I Pick
California Individual Family VSP Vision
California HSA HRA Health Insurance
California Health Insurance Dental Networks
California Health Insurance Concept
Pros and Cons of Health Sharing Plans Like Alieracare
Health Sharing Plans for Short Term Health in California
Embedded Deductibles in California Health Plans
United Health Group Rates Save Employers
Sharp Health in Covered California Reviews Plans Rates
Senior Supplement Best Value
California Health Insurance Negotiated Rates
AlieraCare CarePlus Advantage Catastrophic Health Sharing Plan Review Quote Comparison
Kaiser Through Covered California
TrumpCare HSA and Obamacare Covered California
Guide High Risk Pools
Common Questions Pre-existing and Options
California Restaurant Association United Health Plan
California Health Insurance Payment Options
California Group Health Insurance Eligibility
Current Individual HSA Health Insurance Options
Critical Illness Insurance Review Rates Plans
California Special Enrollment Periods SEP
California Health Insurance Life Time Max
California Health Insurance Claims Processing
Understand Group California Health Insurance
Student Health Insurance California
GURU Whats Difference Between In Out Exchange Plans
Are Health Sharing Plan Payments Deductible
Small Business Penalty Paying Individual Plans
Small Business Penalty Paying Individual Plans
California Health Insurance Primary Care Physician
Moving to California Covered California
California Small Business
California Health Insurance Sick Rates Change
Aetna Leaves California Individual Health Market
Covered California Tax Penalty
What is Best Health Sharing Ministry Plan
United Health Insurance National Restaurant Association Employees
Pacificare of California
La Care Health Plan Review Rates Networks
Covered California Compare Bronze Silver Plans
California Medicare Supplement Center
Basic PPO Blue Cross California
Critical Illness Insurance California
California Small Group RAF
Health Net In Covered California Reviews Rates Plans
California Insurance and Alternative Health Care
What Is Health Sharing Ministry And Plan
Covered California Versus Short Term Health Insurance
California Health Emergency Urgent Care
Smart Sense Blue Cross California
Kaiser Short Term Health Insurance
California On Exchange Application Terms Conditions
Guide Group Health Insurance
Free Assistance Covered California Enrollment
By Major Insurance Company
Blue Shield California Plans Rates Reviews
California Health Insurance Group New Company
Covered California Tax Credit
Health Insurance by State
California Health Insurance Out of Network
Anthem Blue Cross Leaving California Market 2018
Losing Health Insurance After Divorce
Cobra
California Health Insurance Max Out Of Pocket
United Health versus Anthem Blue Cross California
Short Term Health Insurance Between Jobs
Cheap California Health Insurance
California Health Insurance Group Size
California Health Insurance Broker Agent
Anthem Blue Cross Covered California
California Health Insurance Group Premium Only Plan POP
California Health Insurance Deductibles
Alternative to Obamacare Health Insurance
Health Sharing Versus Covered California
Current Catastrophic Health Insurance Options
California Health Insurance Rates Based On
Covered California Open Enrollment Changes
California Health Carrier Comparison
Missed Health Insurance Open Enrollment Deadline
What are Medicare Excess Charges
How to Apply for Aliera Care Health Sharing Plans
Medicare Supplement versus Medicare Advantage Comparison
Major Medical California Insurance
Immediate Health Insurance In California
Individual Health Insurance Between States
How to Pay Covered California Premium
Already Pregnant California Health Insurance
Health Insurance for High Earners California
Obamacare Health Insurance Versus Health Sharing Comparison
California On Exchange Application
Is Western Health Advantage PPO or HMO
Health Insurance Between Retirement And Medicare
California Retirement Health Insurance Options
California Health Insurance Group 1099
California Health Insurance Blue Card
California Health Insurance Acupuncture
Are Health Sharing Plans Like Alieracare Tax Deductible
Guide California Health Doctor Network
Health Savings Account
GURU What If I Move To California
Blue Cross Blue Shield Short Term Health Insurance
Calcobra Extension
Oscar California Health Insurance Review Rates Plans
Losing Health Insurance at Age 26
California PPO POS Health Insurance
California Health Reform 400 Poverty Level
Covered California Login Issues
California Health Insurance High Deductible Plan
GURU Medi Cal for Children
California Health Pre Existing Condition
Obamacare Income Guidelines in California
How to Designate Covered California Agent
How to Quote AlieraCare for Short Term Coverage
California Health Insurance Full Time Student
Do Health Insurance Plans Cover CBD
Catastrophic Health Insurance California
California Health Insurance Out Of State Employees
Covered California Marketplace Tax Credit
Health Insurance For Larger Family Of 4 5 6 Or More
Common Questions Individual Contract
Can You Have HSA Account With Health Sharing Plans
Blue Cross Senior Smart Choice
GURU What If My Income Changes
California Health Insurance Carrier Comparison
Self Employed Health Insurance California
Health Insurance for 1-2-3 Months
How to Apply for Covered California
Kaiser Versus Western Health Advantage Comparison
California Health Insurance Chiropractic
Covered California Versus Cobra Comparison
California Los Angeles Medi Medi Anthem Mediblue Health Plan
How to Quote Aliera Care Health Sharing Rates
California Health Insurance Dependent Children
GURU Tax Filing Status and Covered California
California Health Insurance HMO Versus PPO
GURU Difference Between EPO And PPO
California Health Insurance Group Part Time
Comparing Covered California Plans
Covered California Self Employment Income
Health Net Versus Anthem Blue Cross Comparison
Common Questions Time to Process Application
GURU What Type Of Income
Kaiser Versus Sharp Health Plan Review Comparison
How To Pick Best Covered California Health Plan
Do HSA Funds Roll Over
Anthem Blue Cross Versus United Health Comparison
Kaiser Versus PPO
Aliera Care Health Sharing Plan Review Rates Plans
Health Care Sharing Ministry Comparison Review
Emergency Health Insurance California
Secular Non Religious Health Sharing Plan
Blue Shield California Versus United Health Comparison
Kaiser Versus Health Net Comparison Reviews
Health Net Versus Blue Shield California
Blue Shield Versus Anthem Blue Cross California
Blue Shield California Individual Rate Increase
Does A Company Have To Offer Health Insurance California
Kaiser Versus United Health Comparison Reviews
Kaiser Versus Anthem California
Blue Shield California Versus Kaiser Comparison Review
Blue Shield California Individual Rate Increase
Holiday
California Health Insurance Law
Blue Cross Smart Sense Individual
Blue Cross May Focal Renewal Group
Blue Cross Group Rates
Blue Cross California Individual Rate Increase
Blue Cross California Individual Rate Increase
Blue Cross Anthem Name Change
SCHIP Status
Immunizations
HSA Guideline Update
Blue Shield HIPAA Approach
Blue Cross Urgent Care Network
Blue Cross Small Group Rate Increase
Blue Cross Rate Increase Individual
Blue Cross Rate Increase Client
Blue Cross New Consumer Driven Plan
Blue Cross Healthy Living
Antibiotic Power
Holiday
California Mental Health Parity Bill
California Mental Health Parity
Blue Shield Rate Increase Individual
Blue Shield of California
Blue Cross Transfer To Colorado Nevada
Blue Cross Lawsuit
Blue Cross Billing Fee
Blue Shield New Individual Plans
Blue Cross Core 5000
Two Decades Of Helping Californians Find Affordable Health Insurance
Kaiser Versus Blue Shield Of California
See All Reviews on the Blog
See All Reviews on the Blog
- Over 500,000 Quotes
- 10’s of 1000’s Enrolled
- Guaranteed Best Rates
- Referenced for finding affordable
- California Health Inurance

20 years of experience in the California health insurance market has taught us one thing… Competent and experienced guidance is INVALUABLE
We are licensed Covered Ca agents with in-depth knowledge of their plans, process, and tax credits.
This website is owned and operated by Goodacre Insurance Services, which is solely responsible for its content. This site is not maintained by or associated with Covered California, and Covered California bears no responsibility for its content. The email address and phone numbers that appear throughout the site belong to Goodacre Insurance Services, and cannot be used to contact Covered California.