Despite glitches with the website and problems getting accurate provider lists, Covered California, the state-run health insurance exchange, exceeded its enrollment expectations by the end of the last open enrollment period. All in all, more than three million California consumers had enrolled in Covered California plans or Medi-Cal as of April 15th.
Now, Covered California is gearing up for the upcoming open enrollment period with the hopes of renewing 1.2 million people this year, and it is working with health insurers to streamline the process. To prevent those currently enrolled in plans from having to apply all over again, for example, consumers will automatically be renewed into their existing Covered California plans as of December 15th, similar to what employees experience with workplace coverage.
Still Some Hurdles to Overcome
Some concerns center around the fact that Covered California enrollees can expect to receive letters from both their health insurance company and Covered California in the coming weeks, which may cause confusion. Additionally, Covered California members may not receive their government subsidies for 2015 until late this year, which could make it difficult for some people to make their initial payment(s), especially considering that 90% of Covered California participants receive federal subsidies to help pay for coverage.
Get Expert Advice and Assistance
The certified insurance agents at BenefitPackages are authorized to assist consumers with enrollment in Covered California plans. We’ll help you explore your options and determine whether you qualify for subsidies to help cover the cost of coverage. Call us today.