The Basics

Health coverage helps pay for medical costs. A health care plan has a set of services that the plan provider agrees to pay for if you need them, like when you see a doctor or go to the pharmacy.

One way to get health coverage is through government programs, like Medicare or Medi-Cal. Another way is to get private health coverage by buying an individual plan on your own or by getting coverage through your job, your parent’s job, or your spouse’s job, which is called employer-sponsored group health coverage. Getting coverage through your job or through a family member’s job is the most common way people get health coverage in the United States.

This article is about getting health coverage through an employer. It will help you understand:

• If employer-sponsored coverage is right for you
• What services your plan will cover
• How to choose a plan
• How much you will have to pay for health care, and
• How to sign up.

If you need more help in understanding employer-sponsored coverage after reading this article, we recommend you talk to trained experts. Here are some good resources:

• An employer’s Human Resources department will know about the specifics of the health coverage options it offers.
• The California Department of Managed Health Care can answer questions about your health plan at 1-888-466-2219 (TTY: 1-877-688-9891).
• If you have questions about how your disability affects your health coverage, talk to a benefits planner.