Health Insurance Enrollment

If you are uninsured, San Ysidro Health can help you find no cost or low-cost health coverage regardless of your income, health, or immigration status.

San Ysidro Health has a Health Insurance Hotline that provides phone screening and health insurance enrollment appointments to those that qualify for health insurance plans with Covered California and Medi-Cal.

Three people sitting at a desk looking at computers.

San Ysidro Health’s Certified Eligibility Specialists can help you with:

  • Applications for Covered California, Medi-Cal.
  • Medi-Cal Health Plan Elections.
  • Covered California and Medi-Cal annual renewals.
  • Medi-Cal Health Plan Changes (can be changed at any time during the year)
  • Updating changes in income or household information.

Call for a pre-qualification screening and to make an appointment with our Certified Eligibility Specialists. You can also visit any of our convenient clinic locations to speak to our Certified Enrollment Specialists (located at your clinic’s registration desk).

Have Questions?

Call the Health Insurance Hotline

(619) 600-3000

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

What are my health coverage options?

The majority of the population has health insurance through their employer. Others have VA health benefits, Medicare, COBRA, or some other type of private insurance. The rest have two other options: Medi-Cal and Covered CA.

MEDI-CAL

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid health care program. This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medi-Cal is supported by federal and state taxes. You can apply for Medi-Cal benefits regardless of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status. If you are found (or determined) eligible, you can get Medi-Cal if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Medi-Cal has no application deadline. You can apply any time of the year.

Due to recent changes, children, young adults, and adults over 50 years old are eligible for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status.

NOTE: Income and residency requirements apply for every applicant.

COVERED CALIFORNIA - LOW-COST PLANS

If you don’t qualify for Medi-Cal, you can purchase low-cost private health insurance with the possibility of qualifying for financial assistance to help pay for it.

Financial assistance is available for most people. Those who qualify can receive a discount at the time of purchase or wait to get a credit at the time of filing taxes. Many individuals and families may also qualify for tax credits to pay for out-of-pocket expenses (such as co-pays).

A woman holding a pink card that says San Ysidro Health
is there a Cost?

What if I need assistance applying for health insurance?

San Ysidro Health has a Health Insurance Hotline (619) 600-3000, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Call for a pre-qualification screening and to make an appointment with our Certified Eligibility Specialists. You can also visit any of our convenient clinic locations to speak to our Certified Enrollment Specialists (located at your clinic’s registration desk).

There are various other ways to get information and assistance. Regardless of the information out there, it is recommended that you consult with a certified enrollment counselor or insurance agent. These individuals are certified by Covered CA to provide FREE counseling and application assistance. You should never be required to pay a fee, so beware of scammers that charge a fee to provide this service.

How is health insurance different today?

The Affordable Care Act provides additional protection and benefits for individuals and their health insurance. Many people do not realize that prior to the law passing, insurance companies could deny individuals coverage if they had a chronic condition such as diabetes or cancer. Insurance companies could raise the cost of monthly premiums at any time, for any reason. In other words, the new law protects consumers and prevents health insurance companies from denying coverage or dropping you if you get sick.

As of 2013, all health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, are required to cover the same ten essential benefits. This makes it easier to compare prices and understand what you are paying for. The ten essential benefits are listed below:

ESSENTIAL BENEFITS:

  • Preventive and wellness services (such as immunizations, health screening tests for Cancer, Diabetes, HIV, etc.), birth control, breast feeding supplies, domestic violence counseling.
  • Medical services
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity and newborn care
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services
  • Prescription drugs
  • Rehabilitative services and devices
  • Laboratory services
  • Pediatric services

What information do I need to apply?

If you apply on your own or get assistance from us, you will need the following information. It is recommended that you gather all documents before completing the application.

Applicants Under 65:
  • Photo ID: A valid picture ID; California ID or Driver’s license.
  • Social Security Card: Required for those who are requesting coverage.
  • Proof of Immigration: Resident Alien Card (Green Card)
  • If you were born in the United States, a birth certificate or US passport.If you are a naturalized citizen – Certificate of Naturalization or US passport.
  • If you are a naturalized citizen – Certificate of Naturalization or US passport.
  • Financial Information: Last two paycheck stubs & most recent Federal Income Tax, or other proof of income.
  • Proof of California Residency: A bill from SDG&E, water, rent receipt, or mortgage payment.
Applicants Over 65:

Financial Institution Accounts: Banks, Savings/loans, Credit Unions.

  • Retirement Accounts: IRA, KEOGH, Annuity, stocks, Bonds, Money Market, Trust Fund(s) Mutual Funds etc.
  • Property (whether you live in it or not): Houses, apartments, ranch, land, buildings, mobile homes, or life estates in or outside of the U.S. or the State of California.
  • Vehicles /Recreational Vehicles: List of cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, snowmobiles, or off-road vehicles (even if not running).
  • Other: Jewelry worth more than $100, Mineral rights, Burial Trusts or contracts, Life Insurance, Long term Insurance etc.

You will be asked to provide these documents for each family member who is interested in applying for health insurance or is listed as a dependent on your Federal Income Tax forms.

A portion of these services is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.