Proof You Don’t Have Minimum Essential Coverage

Before You Submit

Minimum essential coverage is required in California to avoid a state tax penalty for not having insurance.

Types of minimum essential coverage may include:

• Health plans through your job that offer an affordable option that pays for at least 60 percent of covered medical costs
• Government-sponsored programs, like Medicare or Medi-Cal
• Individual plans, offered through private insurance companies
• Student health plans

Covered California compares the information on your application with records from government sources, such as the IRS and Social Security Administration. If the information does not match, we may ask you to confirm that you don’t have qualifying health insurance (minimum essential coverage).

Documents You Can Submit

Submit a copy of one of the following documents.

• Certificate of coverage, or a letter from a health insurance company showing when your insurance ended
• Government-issued document showing when your health insurance ended or that you are not eligible for a program
• Employer statement showing that your job does not offer affordable, minimum-value health insurance

If you can’t provide one of the above, you may submit a signed self-attestation — a written statement confirming that you do not have qualifying health insurance, signed under penalty of perjury.

If Your Proof Is About Medicare

To verify your Medicare eligibility or enrollment status, you can submit a letter or statement from Medicare or the Social Security Administration that shows you or your family member is:

• Not eligible for or enrolled in premium-free Medicare Part A; or
• Eligible for, but not enrolled in, Part A coverage that requires monthly premium payments; or
• No longer eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, and your coverage has ended or will end within the next 90 days.

Note: A Social Security document showing you do not pay a premium for "Medical Insurance" refers to Medicare Part B — not Part A. This document cannot be used to verify Medicare Part A eligibility.

If you can’t get a letter from Medicare or the Social Security Administration, download the Attestation of Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Status (PDF) form. Once complete, submit your form by uploading it to your online account, or by fax or mail using the contact information on the form.