Group and Individual Policies

This section provides general information about group and individual policies. Click on "Types of Plans" for information about the different types of health insurance and health maintenance plans sold in California.

Group Policies

Group policies offer certain advantages over individual policies. There are many ways to obtain health coverage under a group policy:



• If you have a job, ask your employer if it offers a group policy.
• If you are an employer, consider purchasing a group policy. Direct links to some of the organizations that offer policies in California are available by clicking on "Links to Companies" at left.
• If you do not have a job but a member of your family or household has group coverage, ask them and their employer if you can be named as a dependent on their policy.
• If you are a member of a professional or trade association, ask the association if it offers a group health policy.

Individual Plans

If you cannot obtain health coverage under a group policy, you might be able to purchase an individual policy. Contact a licensed health insurance agent or broker, or a company that sells individual health policies, to learn how to buy a policy. Click on "Links to Companies" at left for links to companies that sell policies in California.

Sometimes insurance companies reject applications because of a person's medical history. Most companies limit or exclude coverage for preexisting conditions, as allowed by law. If your group or individual policy does not cover needed mental health services, or if you cannot obtain a policy, you might be able to receive service through a low- or no-cost program. Click here to learn more about these programs.