SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has announced Sonia Fernandes as the new Assistant General Counsel in its Office of Legal Affairs.
In the role, Fernandes will serve as the senior legal adviser to Covered California divisions on complex regulatory and operational issues, oversee a team of attorneys, provide legal guidance on contracts, policies, regulations and compliance, and advise leadership on high-risk legal matters.
Fernandes has extensive experience in state and federal health care law, including administrative investigations, litigation, and health plan compliance.
“Sonia brings the right mix of experience, knowledge and care to her work, and she has proven time and time again she can expertly handle complex and complicated legal matters with nuance and sensitivity,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We are thrilled to welcome Sonia to the team and are excited to have her immense talents and expertise at Covered California.”
Most recently, Fernandes served as Deputy Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Enforcement, at the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), where she managed the DMHC’s statewide litigation activities. Her efforts led to historic settlement agreements aimed at improving access to medical and behavioral health care and strengthening health care delivery systems for millions of Californians.
Prior to time as Deputy Director, Fernandes was an attorney in several offices and an Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of Plan Monitoring for DMHC, where she managed and oversaw the work of several staff attorneys and directed audits of commercial and Medi-Cal managed care plans, including an assessment of plan operations, which involved utilization management, quality assurance, and grievance and appeals systems.
Before joining DMHC, she was a staff attorney for Sacramento Child Advocates, Inc. where she represented children in Sacramento County’s foster care system who had experienced abuse or neglect, handling all aspects of litigation.
“I'm honored to join Covered California at a time when strong legal guidance is essential to advancing access, affordability and equity in healthcare,” said Fernandes. “I look forward to collaborating with the agency's leadership to navigate complex regulatory challenges, manage risk thoughtfully and help ensure that legal strategy supports better outcomes for Californians. I've seen firsthand the devastating effects of access gaps and know that adequate care can profoundly impact lives and alter trajectories.”
Fernandes received her J.D. with a concentration in intellectual property law from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from San Jose State University. She is also an advisory board member for My Sister’s House, a nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic violence, and a former president of the Women Lawyers of Sacramento.
Fernandes will be replacing Allison Pease and will earn $238,008 annually, effective Sept. 15, 2026.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.