San Diego

Local Family Worried Over Health Insurance as Covered California Deadline Draws Near

The deadline to enroll for Covered California is Sat. Dec. 17

Michael and Rachel Joseph Live in Carmel Valley with their two teenagers. Rachel has a knee brace, back and neck problems -- lasting effects from a bad car accident 10 years ago.

β€œI was up all night and I do have an issue with it, but the stress makes it much worse,” Joseph said, speaking of pain she had been having in her neck.

The family has been living off Michael's consultant work and savings since July of 2015 but Rachel told NBC 7, she is stressed over insurance.

They use Cobra for coverage but that with the policy ending soon, they're trying to decide between Covered California and Medi-Cal.

β€œThe math part of it is a big decision," Michael said.

While the children's doctors are in both plans, the physician that's treated Michael and his wife for the last 20 years is only covered through a Covered California PPO.

But with Michael's consultant work, his family may not meet the Covered California income requirement.

The deadline to enroll for Covered California is Sat. Dec. 17. 

β€œWhen you have coverage through your employer, I know people complain about the rates going up, but you recognize when you don't have that option how much more complex it gets,” he said.

The Department of Health Care Services for California says all of the plans under Medi-Cal are HMOs.

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