Covered California Enrollment Surges In Los Angeles County To More Than 198,000

[tabular data corrected 3/14/14]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that from Oct. 1, 2013, to Jan. 31, 2014, 198,158 consumers in Los Angeles County enrolled in subsidized and unsubsidized Covered California health insurance plans.

The four-month total represents 112 percent of the base projection of 177,602 enrollments Covered California estimated for the county during the entire six-month enrollment period, which ends March 31 (see the table attached).

“Enrollment activity is going great in Los Angeles County, but we have more work to do,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “Tens of thousands of consumers in that county are still eligible for quality, affordable insurance in our exchange, and we plan to sign up as many of them as we can before March 31, which is the end of open enrollment.”

Lee said Covered California is expanding on this momentum in Los Angeles County through the agency’s recently announced grassroots outreach campaign. A targeted on-the-ground strategy is under way in collaboration with Covered California’s community partners to create face-to-face opportunities for enrollment, particularly in Latino communities.

Targeted areas include the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley and South Los Angeles.

Since December, the exchange has nearly doubled its advertising campaign targeting Spanish- and English-speaking Latinos, with new radio and TV advertisements airing in February and March encouraging consumers to find help locally. Covered California also improved its Spanish-language website and informational materials and increased the number of bilingual Certified Enrollment Counselors and Service Center representatives.

On Feb. 19, Covered California released statistics showing that 728,410 consumers statewide had enrolled for health insurance and selected plans through Jan. 31. Another 877,000 applicants statewide were determined to be likely eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. DHCS also transitioned 652,000 individuals into the Medi-Cal program from the state’s Low Income Health Program.

Los Angeles County, which encompasses Covered California pricing regions 15 and 16, represents 27 percent of the 728,410 consumers enrolled. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013, the county represented 26 percent of consumers enrolled. The county makes up 31 percent of those eligible statewide to enroll in the Covered California health insurance marketplace.

Other highlights for Los Angeles County in Covered California enrollment figures:

Lee pointed out that consumers can continue enrolling in Covered California plans through the open-enrollment period that ends March 31, 2014. For coverage beginning April 1, consumers must enroll by March 15 and pay their premium by March 26. Medi-Cal enrollment is continuous throughout the year.

Lee also reminded consumers of the many paths they can take to enroll in Covered California health insurance plans and in Medi-Cal, including meeting in person with thousands of trained Certified Insurance Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and county eligibility workers, who can provide assistance with completing applications. Spanish-language assistance is available online at www.CoveredCA.com/espanol.

Both the English and Spanish Covered California websites can locate the nearest person who can provide assistance. Additionally, self-enrollment is available online, and enrollment can be completed over the phone by calling Covered California’s Service Center at (800) 300-1506.

Tables and graphics showing enrollment by metal tier and health insurance plan in each region are available online at: www.coveredca.com/pdfs/newsroom/JanRegionalEnrollmentTables.pdf and www.coveredca.com/pdfs/newsroom/jan-regionals.pdf.

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.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works to preserve and improve the physical and mental health of all Californians. DHCS provides health care services for approximately 9.4 million Californians through Medi-Cal, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use treatment services and long-term services and supports. This is accomplished through an investment of approximately $70 billion annually in public funds for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, seniors and persons with disabilities. DHCS focuses on delivering quality, effective services primarily through coordinated systems of care provided by 21 Medi-Cal managed care plans located in all of California’s 58 counties. For more information about DHCS, please visit www.dhcs.ca.gov.