Covered California Gives Consumers More Time to Enroll in Healthcare  

Covered California announced it is giving consumers who attempt to enroll by the January 31 deadline four more days to complete their enrollment.�This comes after a robust enrollment that saw more than 322,000 people enroll in a health plan through Covered California since November 1.

"Experience tells us that people wait until the last day to sign up for health insurance, and we do not want to leave anyone behind," said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. "Health care is so important, and people should not miss this opportunity to get coverage if they get caught up in a wave of last-minute shoppers."

Between February 1-4, consumers who started an application can complete the process with help from a Certified Insurance Agent, Service Center Representative or Community Enrollment Partner. Enrollment partners include Certified Enrollment Counselors, Certified Application Counselors and Plan-Based Enrollers. Those who finish their application by February 4 will have their health care coverage start on March 1.

"Covered California is committed to helping all consumers cross the enrollment finish line," Lee said. "Our top priority is making sure they have the time and help they need to find the Covered California health plan that works for them."
�
Consumers interested in enrolling online can do so on�CoveredCA.com. They can also get free and confidential in-person assistance, in a variety of languages, by clicking on�"Free Local Help to Enroll."�They can find a nearby enroller or have a certified enroller contact them through the "Help on Demand" feature.

Covered California also stressed that financial assistance is available to help consumers pay for their coverage. The financial help allows 60 percent of consumers to get a Bronze plan for less than $10 per month, and 50 percent of consumers to get a Silver plan for less than $100 per month. Nearly nine out of every 10 Covered California enrollees receive some level of financial assistance.

"We will help people get across the finish line in the days following the deadline, but you must take steps to begin the process by today," Lee said. "Covered California has partners who will make enrollment easier than you think, and with the financial help that is available, it can be more affordable than you realize."

Once open enrollment ends, consumers may sign up only if they experience a life-changing event such as losing their health care coverage, getting married, having a child or moving. Medi-Cal enrollment is year-round.

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 or to enroll, call 800-300-1506 or visit�www.CoveredCA.com