Great News: Covered California Open Enrollment Extended to May 15, 2021 to Help California’s Uninsured Who May be Eligible for Financial Help

In late January 2021, Covered California announced the establishment of a special-enrollment period to allow more people the opportunity to sign up for health care coverage. Effective February 1, 2021, anyone uninsured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through Covered California can sign up through May 15, 2021.

It is estimated that 2.7 million Californians are currently uninsured, including 1.2 million who are eligible for financial help from Covered California or through Medi-Cal. In the Greater Bay Area, an estimated 122,000 individuals are uninsured who are eligible for help. Covered California reported “that 1.4 million people, or 90 percent of Covered California’s enrollees, are receiving some level of financial help that lowers the cost of their monthly premium…”

“In addition, consumers who sign up through CoveredCA.com may find out that they are eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal, which they can enroll in online. It is important to note that those who are eligible for Medi-Cal can enroll year-round and have coverage that is effective immediately.”

The move by Covered California to create a special-enrollment period follows President Biden’s executive order to declare a special enrollment period from February 15 through May 15, 2021, for the 36 states served by the federally facilitated marketplace, reopening the doors to coverage for millions of Americans.

For those San Franciscan residents who are living with HIV and are in need of health care coverage, PRC’s Equal Access to Healthcare Program (EAHP) team can help. Please contact the team by emailing to [email protected] or call (415) 972-0870 and ask for the EAHP team.

Resource:

https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2021/01/28/california-joins-president-biden-in-responding-to-covid-19-pandemic-by-announcing-special-enrollment-to-help-people-get-insurance/