December 19, 2013

Covered California Enrollment Surging In Last Week For January Coverage

Exchange Encourages Consumers to Enroll Online

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the deadline approaching for Covered California™ health insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014, tens of thousands of new enrollees are seeking out help and signing up for plans. In fact, preliminary data indicates that in just the past three days (Dec 16-18), 53,510 people enrolled by selecting a Covered California health insurance plan. That tops the 30,830 enrollments completed for the entire month of October by nearly 60 percent.



“We’re pleased with the consumer response to getting affordable health insurance coverage, and our staff is working at top speed to answer questions and process all the applications, so Californians can enjoy benefits beginning Jan. 1, 2014,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Because of the extremely high interest, we want consumers to use our online tools for self-enrollment or visit a Certified Insurance Agent or their local Certified Enrollment Counselor.”

As consumers rush to beat the Dec. 23, 2013, deadline for coverage beginning at the first of the year, the exchange is encouraging Californians to apply for coverage online, the most convenient and fastest way to enroll.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, a total of 20,506 enrollments were received by Covered California, topping Tuesday’s total of 19,351. Monday’s single-day enrollment number was 13,653.

Responding to high call volumes, Covered California’s Service Center is extending its hours this Saturday, to operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Consumers should have ready the following when getting ready to apply for Covered California health insurance plans:
  • The number of people being enrolled in a plan, including the birthdate of each person.
  • Social Security numbers for each family member.
  • Home ZIP code.
  • Projected income for the coverage year. This can be obtained by checking your most recent income tax filings for the adjusted gross income, any applicable dependent tax information and head-of-household status.
  • Legal immigration information, such as your immigration number.
  • Information about your status as a member of a federally recognized tribe.


While applications are coming in by the thousands for coverage taking effect Jan. 1, 2014, Lee reminded consumers, “We at Covered California are committed to helping people enroll who have started an application before the deadline.”

For consumers who do not enroll before the Dec. 23 deadline, they have until March 31, 2014, to sign up for coverage before they are subject to a penalty.

For a complete list of upcoming key dates and frequently asked questions, visit www.CoveredCA.com.

About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits.



Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
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