Here’s an option for health insurance for young people who have no where else to turn

Nov. 06--Young adults in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties who are not eligible for Medi-Cal and cannot afford private insurance can enroll in a new Kaiser Permanente health program.

The new Community Health Care Program provides coverage to young adults, ages 19 to 25, with household incomes of up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (up to $36,180 for a single person or up to $73,800 for a family of four).

Young adults in the program will not have a monthly premium and will have access to Kaiser's health care system or providers.

U.S. citizenship is not necessary for eligibility.

The program is an expansion of one that previously covered only children but has grown to cover young adults as well, Kaiser said. It provides health coverage for children and young adults who have no other access to health insurance, including low-income people who are undocumented and lost access to Medi-Cal when they turned 19. It also provides coverage to children and young adults who are documented but who have an affordability exemption under the Affordable Care Act because of the amount of family income that would have to be spent on coverage.

Kaiser is working with local community organizations and nonprofits to identify residents who may be eligible. Enrollment in the Community Health Care Program runs from Nov. 1, 2017 to Jan. 31, 2018.

For more information about eligibility and enrolling in the Community Health Care program call the Kaiser Permanente Member Service Center at 800-464-4000 or visit the website.

Kaiser hopes to enroll up to 1,000 people by Dec. 31, 2019.

Barbara Anderson: 559-441-6310, @beehealthwriter

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