Our top rated California carriers from the choices that are available are listed below.

Establishing A New Small Group Business In California (Husband & Wife, Partners, Siblings, Etc.) Qualifying For AB 1672 Guaranteed-Issue Group Health Coverage In California

Is it possible in California to establish and small business and obtain small group benefits if the business consists of spouses, partners or siblings? The interest in creating a small business has been increased due to corporate downsizing, layoffs and the economic conditions in California.

It is possible for a husband and wife, life partners, business partners, siblings and others to establish a small business that will qualify for group benefits. The key factors under which this can be done include type of business, organization of the business, amount of time working in business, timeline, and whether or not there would be any additional employees.

A California small group must consist of at least 2 employees or owners in a business. In most circumstances, at least 2 must enroll for coverage. Carriers require 75% of eligible employees to enroll (valid enrollment waivers not effecting participation requirements include: Medicaid, Medicare, Other Group Coverage (spousal), and VA.

Outlined below is important information for people considering creating a small business or for business owners who already have a small business and are not sure if they could qualify for small group benefits.

Documentation required for California small group coverage:

*Fictitious Business Listing or California Business License
*DE-6 Quarterly payroll tax report (if in business long enough) or 30- days employee payroll records
*Sole Proprietor/Partner/Corporate Officer Statement Form
*Owner's Current Schedule C (if in business long enough)

Adults applying for individual coverage still have to go through individual medical underwriting in California and can be turned down for coverage for having pre-existing medical conditions. Some plans will accept people with certain pre-existing conditions and charge higher rates. Coverage is available through NASRO for adults under 65 who have pre-existing conditions and are eligible for coverage under the HIPPA law. If you need to know your HIPPA rates contact NASRO. Within 63 days of group health insurance ending HIPPA eligibility ends and the only other option is the state of California high risk pool, where the rates are even higher and enrollment not always open.

What We Offer To Employers Is Aggressive and Innovative Cost Controls Combined with Tangible and Measurable Service

• Multiple Dual Option Plans from Different Carriers
• Affordable Reinsurance and National Provider Networks for Businesses, Public Sector Groups

        School Districts and Trusts

• Organization of a Large Multi-Employer Co-op
• Coverage for Out of State Employees in 50 States
• HIPPA Plan Enrollment
• Benefits Administration of Open Enrollment
• Assistance Filling Out Enrollment Forms
• Administration of New Hire Enrollment
• COBRA and California COBRA Administration
• Employee Advice on California Medical System
• Claims Analysis
• Health Insurance Company Appeals
• Coverage for 1099 Employees
• Advice on Compliance with State & Federal Laws
• Coordination with California Government Agencies

The National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations (NASRO) of California is a health insurance and reinsurance administrator for employer groups Founded by health care consumer advocate Robert Gaw, it is working hard for you and is able to recommend, as a free service, the best individual health insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, small group health insurance and large group self funding arrangements that are available in California at a more affordable rate.

Veteran Health Care Consultant & Consumer Advocate Robert Gaw, NASRO President & Founder

If you are preparing for your annual California health insurance or reinsurance renewal, starting a new business, are currently on an expensive COBRA plan from a previous job, expanding operations in California, or just need to lower your monthly health insurance costs then you need to know more about NASRO. We have worked hard for decades to help establish a more humane health care system in California

More Affordable Health and Medical Insurance Plans NASRO of California Recommends

Aetna

Small Employer Groups

California Plan Guide

Individuals

MC Open Access 3500

MC Open Access 5000

MC Open Access 5000 with Limited Rx

MC Open Access 7500 with unlimited primary care and dental

To Apply On Line Click On Box Above

Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Premier & Smart Sense Plan Brochure

Blue Shield of California

California Choice

CIGNA

Health Net

HMO 15

HMO 40

Kaiser Permanente

United HealthCare / PacifiCare

NASRO of California Members with More Affordable Health Insurance Include

• Artists & Actors
• Studios
• Graphic Design Firms
• Film Makers
• Accountants
• Lawyers
• Medical Providers
• Writers
• Musicians
• Computer Software Developers
• Construction Companies
• Skilled Trades People
• Schools
• Social Service Organizations
• Religious Organizations
• Green Businesses
• Transportation Companies
• Business Consultants
• Automotive Businesses
• Social Workers
• Photographers

Short Cuts for California Individuals and Families

For Individuals and Families paying for their own health insurance in California it is important not to wait until you have a medical condition before you purchase health insurance. Once you have a medical condition, even a minor one, as inhuman as it seems, the health insurance companies can turn you down and refuse to provide any coverage.

If you recently have had group coverage from a previous employer, you have 63 days after the end of your group plan to pick up an individual plan and not be subject to medical underwriting. If you have a pre-existing medical condition and are applying for individual health insurance coverage there is an excellent chance all the health insurers will turn you down for coverage. HIPPA the federal law we have worked with since 1996 protects individuals from being turned down for health insurance coverage, under certain conditions. Call our office for more information 800-638-8113.

Since age rating is the only option, the younger you are the more affordable the health plans are. The older you are the more the premium costs go up. Young families may actually be able to afford more coverage to protect their children and older individuals who are healthy can find plans that provide good access to routine physicals, unlimited sick visits and prescription drug coverage and carry a larger deductible for the less likely to occur inpatient admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are my options if I lose my group health insurance coverage at work and I am not eligible for COBRA?

If you have been covered for 18 months by a previous group plan you earn HIPPA rights that allow you to qualify for a plan with carriers such as Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Kaiser, Health Net and Aetna where you are guaranteed acceptance by the federal government, regardless of your pre-existing medical conditions and your height/weight ratio. NASRO can help walk you through the process, make sure that you qualify and have access to the health insurance you have a right to.

If you do not have pre-existing conditions and finding a good affordable plan is your goal, NASRO can help provide you with focused options at no additional cost to you.

What can I do if I can not balance the rising cost of health insurance premiums with the lower income I am earning as a result of the recession?

First you should know that this sad state of affairs is pushing the federal government to very soon enact major changes to how the health insurance industry is run this year. While waiting for that new day we suggest that you review your benefit plans once again to make sure that the plan you currently have is allowing you to have access to the health care benefits you actually use. NASRO can help you with that process.

Blue Shield of California Individual Rates

Anthem Blue Cross Individual Rates

The Immoral Practice of Pre-Existing Conditions Underwriting and Individual Health Insurance in California - If Turned Down for Coverage and Have Been Previously Been Covered by a Group Plan for the Previous 18 Months, Call NASRO for Rates, Benefits and an Enrollment Form

NASRO helps people find the best health insurance available and is right now developing a non-profit health insurance co-op. We believe strongly that the fast growing number of self employed and individuals who need affordable health insurance in California should be allowed to band together and have the right to buy the same health insurance plans for the same price, as anyone else, with their own money. We believe it is a sin for health insurance companies to " play God " with the lives of people. Turning down people with any form of illness large or small is severely limiting their economic lives.

Help with some COBRA premium costs provided in the recent "stimulus bill ", is great for people who work for large employers, but most people do not work for large employers. Unemployment could rise reach 15% in California by the end of 2009 and prudent financial planning needs to be made now.

NASRO does not yet have a group plan in California that will accept individuals that have been turned down for coverage. We are working for a new National Health Care law to accomplish this mission. In the meantime, we will assist any self employed person in California that needs to know how to qualify for group coverage right now.

NASRO Personal Service in California From Our Office in Los Angeles

What People Are Saying About Us!

" I have nothing but praise for the good folks at NASRO ( National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations ). If you've ever dealt with insurance providers, you know that the usual goal of the person who answers the phone is to say " no " and hang up as quickly as possible. My experience with Barbara Gibson at NASRO Co-op could not have been more different.

She actually did the math on whether it would be better for me to stick with COBRA for 18 months before switching to the NASRO plan. The one time I actually had a problem with coverage for a medical condition, she not only straightened it out, but remembered to ask me if I was feeling better after the procedure.

Deborah Elizabeth Finn

Information Technology Management Consultant

P. S. Full disclosure. NASRO does not compensate me in any way for praising it immoderately. I am just a fan."

NASRO Non Profit, Co-op and Business Members Include

• Community Builders Worker Cooperative
• International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
• International HIV/AIDS Alliance
• Jobs with Justice
• Act Blue
• Women In Film and Video
• Alliance to Defend Health Care
• Health Care For All
• National Pancreas Foundation
• Working Assets
• Forum on Democracy and Trade
• A1 Auto Body
• Blue Sky Dogs
• AFC Mentoring
• Gnaristas
• CDA Learning Projects
• Climate Technologies
• Carando Gourmet Foods

Carriers with Health Insurance Plans in California

Anthem Blue Cross of California

Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health

Blue Shield of California

CIGNA

Kaiser Permanente

Healthnet

PacifiCare

Need More Information?

Anthem Blue Cross of California

• Basic PPO Plan
• Saver PPO Plan
• PPO $40 Co-pay Plan
• PPO $35 Co-pay Generic Rx Plan
• PPO $30 Co-pay Plan
• PPO $45 Co-pay Generic Rx Plan
• Advantage PPO $25 Co-pay Plan
• Premier PPO $20 Co-pay Plan
• Premier PPO $10 Co-pay Plan
• Power Health Fund 750 Plan
• Power Health Fund 500 Plan
• Power Select HMO Plan
• Power $35 Select HMO Plan
• HMO 100% Plan
• HMO $25 100% Plan
• Classic HMO Plan
• Classic $35 HMO Plan
• Saver HMO Plan
• Saver$30 HMO Plan
• Lumenos 1500 HSA Plan

Medicare Supplement Plans J on down for People Turning 65

Blue Shield of California

For People Coming Off COBRA

Blue Shield 2010 HIPPA Plan Rates

Blue Shield HIPPA Access HMO Plan

Blue Shield HIPPA Savings 4000 HSA Plan

Blue Shield HIPPA Shield Spectrum PPO 5000

Blue Shield HIPPA Spectrum PPO 5500

to enroll call 800-638-8113

For Small Employer Groups

Blue Shield of California Small Group Plan Summaries Effective July 1, 2009

Blue Shield of California Comparison of Small Group Benefits Excel Spreadsheet Effective July 1, 2009

for rates call 800-638-8113

Group Dental

Medicare Supplement Plans J on down for People Turning 65

CIGNA

Level Funding Plans

Kaiser Permanente

Copayment Plans

$50 Co-pay Plan

$30 Co-pay Plan

$20 Co-pay Plan

$15 Co-pay Plan

$5 Co-pay Plan

Group Dental

Health Net

Group Dental

Medicare Supplement Plans J on down for People Turning 65

PacifiCare

Aetna

United Healthcare

Affordable Group Dental Insurance Plans

Delta Dental

Anthem Blue Cross

Blue Shield of California

PacifiCare

Metropolitan

Vision Plans

VSP Signature Plan

VSP Specialty Care

VSP Voluntary Plan

Call NASRO for rates and enrollment information - 800-638-8113/ 424-237-9647

As a resident of California, you and your family have access to a FREE Prescription Drug Card program. Simply download your Prescription Drug Card and receive savings of up to 75% at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies. You may create as many cards as you need. Participating pharmacies include the following: CVS/pharmacy, Safeway, Vons, Longs Drug Store, Raley’s Pharmacy, Pavilions, Target Pharmacy, Sav-On Pharmacy, Walgreens, and K-Mart Pharmacy, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies. This program has “LOWEST PRICE” logic to guarantee that you pay the lowest price on your prescriptions (you pay the lower of a discount off the Average Wholesale Price-AWP, a discount calculated off MAC Pricing, or the Pharmacy Promotional/Retail price). Please enter your name and e-mail address below and we will generate a printable membership card for you. This card is pre-activated and can be used immediately. California Rx Card Preferred Pharmacy NOTE: If you are not able to print a member card you can visit our Preferred Pharmacy and they will process your prescription through the program. @import url('http://pharmacylocator.unarxcard.com/css/rounded_ui.css'); @import url('http://pharmacylocator.unarxcard.com/css/popup_style.css'); New SearchX X Card Information First Name: Last Name: Email: (optional) Create Prescription Card AS SEEN ON: Refer 5 friends to this site and receive a free vision program! PARTICIPATING PHARMACIES INCLUDE: WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR PARTNERS IN THIS STATE WIDE INITIATIVE: PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY: OTHER SITES OF INTEREST: Chascar aquí para ver el sitio en español! Website Administered by United Networks of America THIS PLAN IS NOT INSURANCE. THIS IS NOT A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN. Website Powered by NetShapers © Copyright 2005- 2010

Life, Short Term & Long Term Disability Insurance

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

UNUM Life Insurance Company

West Coast Life Insurance Company

See through the mist and confusion surrounding finding affordable health insurance with the help of a recognized non-profit like NASRO.

Enrollment Tips

• We are able to immediately process individual applications on line
• If you are having trouble filling out the enrollment form just fax it to NASRO at 800-638-8113 or email it to bgibson@nasro-co-op.org

Health Insurance Is Also Available In:

Washington

Oregon

Massachusetts

Maryland

Washington D.C.

Virginia

New York

New Jersey

Georgia

North Carolina

Texas

New Mexico

Illinois

NASRO is working for California communities

National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations

Robert Gaw

President & Founder

NASRO of California

609 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 200

Palos Verdes Peninsular, California

90274

424-237-9647

800-638-8113

Fax - 800-562-8588

NASRO Eastern Office

Two Canal Park, Fifth Floor

Cambridge, Massachusetts

02141

617-308-1525

NASRO Washington D.C. Office

3204 18th Street N.W.

Washington D.C. 20010

NASRO of California Health Care News

August 24, 2010

Insurance Association Files Suit Over New Anti-Rescission Rules

This week, the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify new state regulations designed to make it more difficult for insurers to rescind members' health insurance coverage, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Regulation Details

The California Department of Insurance's new rules -- which took effect Wednesday -- require insurers to investigate individual policyholders' medical backgrounds prior to accepting any premiums (Mohajer, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 8/19).

The rules also require insurers to:

• Limit application questions about health conditions and histories to only those required for medical underwriting;
• Require that all questions on an insurance application be clear, specific and easy to understand;
• Offer applicants the option to indicate that they are unsure or cannot remember the answer to a health history question;
• Provide policyholders with a copy of their application to allow them to check for possible errors; and
• Allow members the opportunity to respond during investigations that could lead to a policy rescission

August 14, 2010

The Highly Profitable Student Group Health Plan Business May Leave Your Student Without Proper Medical Coverage

A trip to the student health center has the right geograghy but many times students need more treatment. Students are better off having their own individual health insurance plan if they are in good health and can be approved. Prices are based on age and are low, with the benefits higher than many parents plans.

Most student health plans have low maximum benefit limits and do not cover even small pre-existing conditions that an individual health insurance plan will cover.

This adds up to great stress for the student if a health problem arises and massive financial exposure to the parents if the student needs hospital care or surgery.

The key factor to keep in mind is that the loss ratios of the student health plans are very low because fewer claims are being paid than with individual health insurance plans.

August 13, 2010

New Federally Financed California High Risk Pools Only Available to People With Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Who Have been Without Health Insurance Coverage For Six Months or Longer

August 13, 2010

Stand Alone Dental Now Available For Both Employer Groups and Individuals Through NASRO in California

Click on the link above for more information.

July 26, 2010

NAIC: Some Insurers No Longer Writing Plans for Kids' Coverage

Major health insurance companies that serve Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma and other states no longer are offering plans specifically for children in response a requirement under the new health reform law that insurers cover children regardless of pre-existing conditions, according to National Association of Insurance Commissioners officials, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports (Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 7/25).

The final regulations for children's coverage are expected before Sept. 23 and insurers are required to provide coverage to all children that apply to new plans after that date (Alonso-Zaldivar, AP/Washington Post, 7/23).

Dropping Child-Only Plans

On Friday, at least three NAIC members -- Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger and Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland -- said insurers in their states already have dropped child-only plans or have discussed the idea (Nussbaum, Bloomberg, 7/23).

The officials noted that insurers are not rescinding children's coverage that has already been issued, but they are ceasing to write new policies (AP/Washington Post, 7/23).

According to Holland, insurers have been using "medical underwriting," which has allowed them to craft low-cost plans for children that limit their expenses for costly medical care and make their expenses more predictable.

Changes Under Reform Law

However, under the new reform law, insurers are required to honor all applications for child-only coverage, and parents can sign up for the plans at any time, particularly when their children get sick. Parents then can stop payments when they no longer need coverage, which insurance industry officials say drives up medical costs and makes insurers' financial risk unmanageable (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 7/23).

Industry officials estimate that child-only policies account for 8% of single coverage plans that are sold directly to consumers, the AP/Post reports (AP/Washington Post, 7/23).

Thursday, July 01, 2010

High-Risk Pools Launch Today

On Thursday, U.S. health officials launched the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, a provision of the new health reform law that aims to temporarily provide coverage to individuals with health problems through high-risk insurance pools, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports (Alonso-Zaldivar, AP/Chicago Tribune, 6/30).

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have elected to administer their own pools, while 21 states have opted to let the federal government run the pools.

According to the Wall Street Journal, coverage under federally run pools is expected to commence on Aug. 1 for consumers who apply by July 15. However, several states -- including California, Maryland and Michigan -- do not anticipate coverage being available in their pools until September.

Program Details

The program will cover primary care, and specialist- and hospital-administered treatment for eligible U.S. residents (Adamy, Wall Street Journal, 7/1).

The pools are modeled after CHIP, which allows states the flexibility to alter benefits and premiums to reflect the needs of their marketplace, according to Richard Popper, deputy director of HHS' Office of Insurance Information and Oversight (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 7/1).

To qualify, individuals must have been uninsured for at least six months and have been denied insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition, possibly requiring a letter from a physician.

Premiums

Monthly premiums will range from $140 to $900, based on a person's age and state of residence.

For example, a 50-year-old California resident could expect to pay $575 monthly for a comprehensive policy with a $1,500 annual deductible and $2,500 annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses.

The program will not charge enrollees more because of their medical condition (Wall Street Journal, 7/1). Independent experts estimate that premiums will average between $400 and $600 monthly, with younger people paying less (AP/Chicago Tribune, 6/30).

Enrollment and Funding Concerns

HHS officials have said 200,000 U.S. residents will be covered through the pools at one time, and the program could cover as many as 350,000 U.S. residents in total because of patient turnover (CQ HealthBeat, 7/1).

The government has allotted $5 billion to fund the pools until 2014, when insurers will be barred from denying coverage based on pre-existing health conditions, and low- and middle-income U.S. residents will become eligible for insurance subsidies (AP/Chicago Tribune, 6/30).

However, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated the program could require an additional $5 billion to $10 billion in funding to meet demand, which the agency predicts could reach 700,000 U.S. residents by 2013. Meanwhile, Medicare economists estimated that 375,000 residents would enroll this year and that the program would run out of funding by the end of 2011 (Alonso-Zaldivar, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/30).