Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  •  

New Law Prevents Health Insurers' Waiting Period For Small Business Employees

  •  Pauline Bartolone 
Friday, December 26, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
meddygarnet / Flickr
 

meddygarnet / Flickr

Beginning Jan. 1, health plans offering insurance through small employers in California will no longer be allowed to impose a waiting period before coverage starts. 

As of 2015, federal law prevents health insurers from imposing a waiting period longer than 90 days on small business employees. But California decided to eliminate any such waiting period initiated by an insurer.

"The financial actuarial reasons for these waiting periods really disappeared with the Affordable Care Act," says Micah Weinberg with the Bay Area Council.

He says insurers used waiting periods in an era when people could be denied health coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Insurers were concerned that people who had been denied coverage would take a job to get health care.

Weinberg says the Affordable Care Act changed the rules so nobody could be denied.

"You no longer have people joining small employers just to get health insurance," he says.

California employers may still impose a waiting period for health coverage - if for example, a new employee is in a probationary period.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about New California Laws 2015

  • New California Laws 2015

    Hundreds of new laws will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015 in California. Capital Public Radio has stories about some of the new legislation and how they impact Californians.

    Related Stories

  • New California Laws 2015

    Monday, December 22, 2014
    Hundreds of new laws will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015 in California. Capital Public Radio has stories about some of the new legislation and how they impact Californians.

 New California Laws 2015

Pauline Bartolone

News and Features Editor

Pauline Bartolone has been a journalist for more than 15 years, during which she was Capital Public Radio’s healthcare reporter from 2011-2015. Her work has aired frequently on National Public Radio.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Health Care Stories

Shae Hammond / CalMatters

California Oversight Of Nursing Homes Called ‘Befuddling,’ ‘Broken’

April 11, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

As California Expands Vaccine Eligibility, Some Counties Say Supply And Scheduling Still A Problem

April 15, 2021

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: As Live, Indoor Performances Return, Guests May Be Required To Show Proof of Vaccination Or Negative Test

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

Scientists Create Early Embryos That Are Part Human, Part Monkey

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: As Live, Indoor Performances Return, Guests May Be Required To Show Proof of Vaccination Or Negative Test

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

Scientists Create Early Embryos That Are Part Human, Part Monkey

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.