Question: I am moving to CA from NY in mid October. (1) When should I apply for health insurance in CA? My family may qualify for Medi-Cal or other subsidized programs. (2) Would the effective date be the exact date of the move, for example, October 15? Or, would I be covered by my NY plan until October 30, then start my CA coverage on November 1?

Answer: You must be a California resident to apply, so apply as soon as you have a California address. Apply through Covered California to determine your eligibility for premium assistance or Medi-Cal. Typically, your NY health insurance coverage will expire at the end of the month and your CA coverage would start on the first of the next month.