Question: I want to buy a Blue Shield PPO plan. What are the advantages of signing up through Covered California versus applying directly with Blue Shield>

Answer: If your household income makes you eligible for premium assistance, Covered California is the only place to enroll. When you apply through Covered California you agree to file taxes each year and to allow Covered California to access your tax records through the IRS. When you apply directly through a California health insurance carrier like Blue Shield - referred to as an off-exchange enrollment - you are not asked to provide any income related information whatsoever. Off-exchange, you will find plans that mirror the Covered California plans exactly in benefits and rates, but, you’ll find plans that are unique to the off-exchange-market as well. Click here for an off-exchange quote.