Open enrollment for Covered Cal ends Jan. 31

Open enrollment in California’s Covered California (CC) began Nov. 1 and will end Jan. 31, 2024. Signing up by Dec. 15 will ensure coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Open enrollment is the time of year when eligible consumers can sign up for health insurance.

“2024 will be a historic year for health care coverage in California,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in the CC news release. “Here in the Golden State, we are removing barriers and increasing access as we work to create a healthier California for all.”

About 1.6 million Californians (as of March 2023) get health insurance through the CC marketplace. According to the news release, “Open enrollment begins with a record-low uninsured rate of 6.5% among Californians, according to federal data. Since Covered California’s first open-enrollment period in 2013, California’s uninsured rate has fallen from 17.2% to 6.5% in 2022, which is the largest percentage point drop for any state in the nation over this time period.”

Enrollment can start either by visiting the website, www.coveredca.com, or calling (800) 300-1506. Anyone can cancel CC enrollment at any time.

In the area comprising Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the average cost of a plan increased 9.7%, according to CC. However, the average premium can be reduced 4.2% if consumers shop and switch to the lowest cost plan in their current medal tier (Bronze, Silver or Gold or Platinum).

Premiums can be lowered or be less expensive for several reasons, according to CC. “The new state-enhanced cost-sharing program will strengthen the Silver Cost Sharing Reduction [CSR] plans, increasing the value of Silver 73 plans to approximate the Gold level of coverage and increasing Silver 87 plans to approximate the Platinum level of coverage. Silver 94 plans already exceed Platinum-level coverage.”

Another important benefit is the elimination of deductibles in all three Silver CSR plans, Other benefits will vary by plan but will include a reduction in generic drug costs and copays for primary care, emergency care and specialist visits, and a lowering of the maximum out-of-pocket cost, according to the release.

“There has never been more financial assistance available to help Californians pay for health care through Covered California than there will be in 2024,” said Jessica Altman, CC executive director. “We want every uninsured resident to know that affordable health care coverage is available and within closer reach than ever before.”

Inland Empire Health Plan, one of the 10 largest Medicaid health plans in the nation that serves more than 1.6 million residents, will join CC and begin offering coverage in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“Increased competition benefits our marketplace and provides our enrollees with meaningful choices for their health coverage,” Altman said. “With Inland Empire Health Plan joining the marketplace and carrier partners like Aetna CVS and Health Net expanding their service areas, Covered California consumers will have more choices than ever to shop, compare and find a plan that best fits their family’s needs …

“Nearly 90% of Covered California’s enrollees receive financial help, with many paying $10 or less per month for their health insurance,” Altman said. “With the enhanced subsidies and increased affordability support available to consumers, access to high-quality, affordable health care has never been more within reach for Californians.”

To check one’s eligibility or look at other plans, CC recommends the Shop and Compare Tool at: apply.coveredca.com/lw-shopandcompare/.

The theme for this year’s open enrollment campaign is Bridging the Gap. CC wants to focus on how uninsured Californians can obtain health insurance. CC offers a “… bridge for those who are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal or may have lost their employer-based coverage,” according to the news release.

“With the end of the federal continuous coverage requirement in March, Medi-Cal began its yearlong renewal and redetermination process for more than 15 million members in April. To help those deemed no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, Covered California launched its auto-enrollment program to eliminate gaps in coverage and aid a seamless transition from Medi-Cal to a health plan offered by Covered California.

“Consumers who have been auto-enrolled in a Covered California plan must take action to start their coverage, by opting in or by paying for their first month’s premium, if one is required — and crossing over into coverage with the exchange,” CC stated.

One may have a legitimate reason outside of open enrollment, to seek CC’s help, which is called the Special Enrollment Period. If this open enrollment period is missed, it may be possible to enroll for health insurance before the next open enrollment in the fall of 2024 if a “qualified life event,” such as losing coverage through a job, having a baby, moving or getting married, has occurred. These types of life changes allow individuals to apply for enrollment at any time. A full list of life changing events can be found at the CC website: www.coveredca.com/support/before-you-buy/qualifying-life-events/.