Covered California Enrollment Surges in Los Angeles County To More Than 400,000; Interest In Medi-Cal Remains High

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A strong turnout in the closing weeks of open enrollment helped push Los Angeles County enrollment in Covered California health insurance plans to 400,889 consumers. The results announced today by Covered California™ and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) represent a 66 percent increase during March* over the 241,312 enrollments that had been recorded as of Feb. 28.

“Los Angeles County enrollment is a significant reason for Covered California exceeding its projections during the historic first open-enrollment period,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “The county represents about 29 percent of total enrollment statewide. Residents there responded with enthusiasm and action during the closing weeks to get health care protection for themselves and their families.”

The six-month total in Los Angeles County represents 226 percent of the base projection of 177,602 enrollments Covered California estimated for the county during the entire six-month open-enrollment period (see the table attached).

Although open enrollment has ended, consumers who experience a qualifying life event can still enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California.

Qualifying life events include losing health coverage through a job, getting married or entering into a domestic partnership, having or adopting a child, changing where a person permanently lives or gaining citizenship. For a list of common types of qualifying events, visit www.CoveredCA.com.

The next open-enrollment period will be in the fall of 2014. Also, Californians can enroll in Medi-Cal year-round.

For the six-month open-enrollment period that ended March 31*, 1,395,929 consumers enrolled in plans statewide. The total increased 58.6 percent from the 880,082 consumers who enrolled by the end of Feb. 28. Covered California reached 1 million consumers enrolled on March 14.

Additionally, almost 1.9 million individuals statewide have been enrolled in Medi-Cal through March 31. This includes 1.1 million individuals who applied through the Covered California Web portal and county human services agencies, as well as approximately 650,000 former Low Income Health Program (LIHP) members transitioned to Medi-Cal by DHCS and 180,000 individuals who applied through the state’s Express Lane program.

Los Angeles County, which encompasses Covered California pricing regions 15 and 16, represents about 29 percent of the 1,395,929 consumers enrolled in health insurance plans through March 31*. 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:

The figures on enrollment do not reflect whether individuals have paid their premiums or started coverage. This information will be available in future reporting.

Tables and graphics showing enrollment in Covered California health insurance plans by county and by metal tier and health insurance company in all regions are available online at www.coveredca.com/pdfs/newsroom/regional-stats-march/March_RegionalEnrollmentTables_forWeb_ss.pdf and www.coveredca.com/pdfs/newsroom/regional-stats-march/march-regionals-graphics.pdf.

* Enrollment data include individuals who finished their applications and selected plans through April 15, 2014.

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.