Covered California Open Enrollment Period 2020California has given consumers more time to sign up for health care coverage by extending the Covered California open enrollment period deadline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Californians are happy with the extended special enrollment period for Covered California, the state’s Obamacare exchange. The period has been extended again through to August 31 in response to the many hardships triggered by the COVID pandemic. You can sign up at CoveredCA.com If you are uninsured and eligible. Here, you can also get to know whether you are eligible for Medi-Cal. 

The special enrollment period started at the beginning of the pandemic. It was intended to help the increasing number of uninsured people in need of healthcare to get coverage during the Coronavirus pandemic. It was originally set to come to an end on June 30. However, the period was extended once to July 31 and now again to the end of August. 

Covered California Open Enrollment Period 2020 Extension 

California has resolved to give consumers more time to sign up for health care coverage by extending the special-enrollment deadline amid the covid-19 pandemic. The covered California open enrollment 2020 extension will be characterized by:

  • Consumers who are not insured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through Covered California will have the chance to sign up through the end of August.
  • The moves come during ongoing uncertainty in the livelihoods of California residents as public health officials fight against the spread of COVID-19.
  • The extension will also apply to those who enroll in off-exchange plans, outside of Covered California. That is put in place to ensure that people enrolling in the entire individual market in California will have access to coverage during the pandemic.
  • All screening and testing for COVID-19 is free of charge. All health plans available through Medi-Cal and Covered California will offer telehealth options.
  • Over 231,000 people have signed up for coverage through Covered California from the time the exchange announced a special-enrollment period in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent data indicates that over 230,000 people have signed up through covered California open enrollment period, which was between March 20 and July 25. Notably, that is more than twice the number who signed up during the same time last year.

Covered California allows eligible consumers to sign up for health care coverage outside of the contemporary open-enrollment period if they experience a qualifying life event every year. These can include getting married, losing your health insurance, moving, or having a baby.

Covered California Open Enrollment Period 2021Overall, over 298,000 people have signed up for coverage since January 31, 2020. That is when Covered California ended its open-enrollment period, through July 25, which is near twice as many as recorded during the same period last year. Open enrollment 2021 California is expected to have a higher number enrolled.

The latest data from California’s Employment Development Department indicates that more than 8.7 million claims have been processed in the state since the pandemic hit. Those who sign up through Covered California will have access to private health insurance plans with monthly premiums that may be reduced because of federal and new state financial help that came into play in 2020. After selecting a plan, their coverage would start on the first day of the following month — meaning people losing job-based coverage will not face a gap in coverage.

Additionally, those who sign up through CoveredCA.com may get to know that they are eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal, which they can enroll in online. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have instantly effective coverage. It is imperative to note that California has halted Medi-Cal renewal reviews and discontinuances through the end of the public health emergency. That ensures that people who already enrolled can continue their coverage. Without a doubt, the decision will free up county resources to process new enrollments.

Staying Safe While Getting Help Enrolling

Covered California open enrollment period 2021 is up and running. Covered California is working with over 10,000 Certified Insurance Agents that help California residents sign up and understand their coverage options through phone-based service models. 

Health insurance is just a phone call away and our agents and staff are ready to help people get the coverage they need during the covered California enrollment period 2021.

Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for Medi-Cal or other forms of financial help and see the plans are available in their area through the CoveredCA.Com Shop and Compare Tool and entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who require coverage. For more information, contact health insurance today.

References and Resources 

Enrolling in a health care coverage

Covered California open enrollment period