SACRAMENTO, Calif. — More than 84,000 people have signed up for coverage through Covered California since March 20, when the exchange announced a special-enrollment period in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this challenging time, Covered California continues to see tremendous interest, with thousands of people signing up for quality health care coverage each day,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “We want to remind consumers that if they lost their health insurance, or were uninsured when this crisis began, there is a path to coverage for them through either Covered California or Medi-Cal.”
The enrollment data covers the period from March 20, when Covered California opened the health insurance exchange to any eligible uninsured individuals who need health care coverage amid the COVID-19 emergency, through April 24. Anyone who is uninsured and meets Covered California’s eligibility requirements, can sign up for coverage through June 30.
“In many ways, the pandemic has made clear the crucial importance of the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansions,” Lee said. “Over the years, California’s leaders have put a system in place that protects Californians and provides them with a way to get the care they need when they need it the most.”
Consumers can easily enroll and find out whether they are eligible for financial help through Covered California or if they are eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal. People who sign up through Covered California will have their coverage begin on the first day of the following month. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have coverage that is effective retroactively to the first day of the month from when they submitted their application.
“Health insurance is only a phone call away, and consumers can get free and confidential assistance from one of Covered California’s trained professionals while remaining safe and protecting themselves and their families,” Lee said.
Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
