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Health insurance is a way to help pay for your healthcare. You pay money every month, called a premium, to a health insurance company. In return, the company helps cover the costs when you go to the doctor’s office, get routine checkups, need medicine or face an emergency. Most people get health insurance through their employer. Others buy it on their own or may qualify for programs like Medi-Cal or Medicare. Health insurance is meant to help you afford both routine care and unexpected costs if you get sick or hurt.

There are a few options to get health insurance: • Covered California (https://www.google.com/search?num=10&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1140US1142&cs=0&sca_esv=ff452058d59b7f49&sxsrf=AE3TifPXT79d_lGbpsawXIxwIIwAb_xaJA%3A1752170612807&q=Covered+California&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwje_6GX8LKOAxWNPkQIHZxpPboQxccNegQIBBAB&mstk=AUtExfBNWBi3LRPOk6MFZQr_BO5xi8yhhSI-_jO93ZUh6J-uMuIfx9-Mq2yJDoi8dXm6gd_5Du5_dd5Fq8S4TL2O_T4A3YGJtySLFQJ7zRa2YOUzaX6RxMkT8s6c6Ybm22-S9oljGkFJk7zIaeultLRgx50s0Mtnb-2NC7ckIdBcCX0BJwW1ThNTgDaCz_fqLGfwYinPKrXXBYrO-yYdprfn9qSiAMjZD4-XjZx2WFHqTGT1zVpRDFAZTd7JAZjq9AzDYJRaNhXcguXTxb-yqkGouKQw&csui=3)is the state's health insurance marketplace, where you can buy private insurance plans tailored to your income and find out if you qualify for subsidies or Medi-Cal. Visit https://www.coveredca.com/ (https://www.coveredca.com/)to get started. • Enroll in your employer-sponsored health insurance. Talk to your employer about how to get started. • Buy a policy directly from an insurance company or through a licensed agent or broker.

Most health insurance companies give you a health insurance card, sometimes referred to as a coverage card. This card has important information you need when making an appointment or getting care. It shows your name, the name of your health insurance company, your member ID number and phone numbers to call for help or to speak with an advice nurse. Bring this card with you every time you go to the doctor’s office, urgent care clinic or emergency room. Check the expiration date on the card to make sure it is current. If your card is expired or lost, contact your health insurance company to get a new one.

Your safety is important, and you have the right to access medical care. Hospitals, clinics and other care places are focused on your health, not your immigration status. Contra Costa Health makes clear that immigration officers, including ICE, cannot enter private areas of healthcare facilities without a court order. It also protects your information under privacy laws and does everything it can to keep patients safe. Click to read more about their commitment.(https://www.cchealth.org/about-contra-costa-health/equity/statement-regarding-service-to-vulnerable-populations) Community health centers like La Clínica,(https://laclinica.org/) Axis Community Health,(https://axishealth.org/) Brighter Beginnings,(https://www.brighter-beginnings.org/) LifeLong Medical Care (https://lifelongmedical.org/)or Asian Health Services (https://asianhealthservices.org/)offer free or low-cost care, no matter your immigration status. If you are worried, you can bring a trusted friend or family member with you. You can also visit https://www.lawhelpca.org/ (https://www.lawhelpca.org/)for legal guidance from local immigration legal service providers in multiple languages.

If you have health coverage with Kaiser Permanente (https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california/secure/inner-door)and need medical care, the best place to start is to visit kp.org,(https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/get-care/) use the mobile app (App Store (https://kpdoc.org/MDOiOSApp)or Go(https://kpdoc.org/MDOAndroidApp)ogle Play)(https://kpdoc.org/MDOAndroidApp) or call the Kaiser Permanente advice nurse line at 866-454-8855.(tel:8664548855) They will guide you to timely, convenient care options that work best for you.

If you have health coverage with Contra Costa Health and need medical care, visit cchealth.org,(https://www.cchealth.org/get-care) use the MyChart mobile app (App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mychart/id382952264)or Google Play)(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=epic.mychart.android&pcampaignid=web_share) or call the Contra Costa County Health advice nurse line at 877-661-6230.(tel:8776616230) They will guide you to timely, convenient care options that work best for you.

If you don’t have health insurance and need medical care, you have a few options: • Call Contra Costa County’s free advice nurse line at 877-661-6230. (tel:8776616230) • Visit a community health center near you, such as La Clínica,(https://laclinica.org/) Axis Community Health,(https://axishealth.org/) Brighter Beginnings,(https://www.brighter-beginnings.org/) LifeLong Medical Care (https://lifelongmedical.org/)or Asian Health Services,(https://asianhealthservices.org/) for low-cost or free care. • Visit a retail walk-in clinic near you that can care for minor illnesses and injuries. • If you believe you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, emergency room teams will provide the best care possible even if you don’t have health insurance. When you are better, you can explore cost-offsetting resources at https://www.usa.gov/help-with-medical-bills (https://www.usa.gov/help-with-medical-bills)or https://medlineplus.gov/financialassistance.html.(https://medlineplus.gov/financialassistance.html) • Enroll for insurance tailored to your income at https://www.coveredca.com/.(https://www.coveredca.com/)