What is family contribution sponsorship?

Can someone pay my monthly premiums?

Yes. A Family Contribution Sponsor is a person or entity who is registered with Healthy Families and who pays a family's premiums on behalf of an applicant for a full 12 months in advance. For more information about Sponsorship and to register as a sponsor, read How to sponsor a family.

If you have questions, call 1-800-880-5305, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free.

How to sponsor a family

Submit the Sponsorship Payment Form and payment for a full 12 months for each family. It is your responsibility to pay the premium amount calculated by the Healthy Families program. Payment will first be applied to any past due amount, then to current and future months of coverage. Families may be sponsored for any 12-month period. If a sponsored family moves to a different county in California or transfers to a different health plan, the premium you pay will remain the same.

Note:The MRMIB rules regarding who is eligible to be a Family Contribution Sponsor were designed to exclude people or groups that might violate federal anti-kickback or other fraud and abuse laws by paying family contributions. We advise anyone who receives any federal health care funds through any program and anyone with any other legal questions about sponsorship to consult with his or her attorney before becoming a sponsor.

How to sign up to be a sponsor

First, make sure you meet the basic requirements.

The following individuals or groups may not be Family Contribution Sponsors:

• A person who is a health, dental or vision care provider who participates in the Healthy Families Program, or an organization composed primarily of or controlled by such persons.
• An entity (including governmental, school, non-profit and charitable organizations) that is or that operates an institution or facility that is a health, dental, or vision care provider that participates in the Healthy Families Program.
• A health, dental or vision plan that participates in the Healthy Families Program.
• Any person or entity acting on behalf of or representing a person or entity described above.

The registration form will ask you to certify that:

• You are eligible to be a Family Contribution Sponsor.
• You acknowledge that Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) has taken no position as to whether payment of premiums as a Family Contribution Sponsor by any person or entity would be in violation of federal fraud and abuse laws.
• You will allow each sponsored applicant to make his or her own choice among participating plans in his or her county of residence as identified by the Healthy Families Handbook.
• You will sponsor all eligible persons in the household.

To apply to be a sponsor:

Download a copy of the Sponsor Registration Form or call 1-800-880-5305 to request the form be sent to you (the call is free). Do not ask the operator if you are eligible to be a sponsor. You must read the requirements and decide for yourself. If you are uncertain about your status, consult your own attorney.

Fax the completed Family Contribution Sponsor Registration Form to 1-866-848-4974 or mail it to:

Healthy Families Program
Attn: Sponsorship Registration
P.O. Box 138005
Sacramento, CA 95813-8005

Healthy Families will notify you by mail about your acceptance as a Family Contribution Sponsor. The program will issue an I.D. number to each registered individual or entity and provide you with the Sponsorship Payment Form. You cannot sponsor a family unless you register and are issued an I.D. number.

If you have questions, call 1-800-880-5305, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free.