Covered California Insurance Deadline Nears. When And How To Sign Up For Health Benefits

If you are not already enrolled in the California Healthcare Marketplace, time is running out.

If you need coverage for all of 2024, you'll have less time.

Open Enrollment, a public service that helps you find affordable health care, ends in January.

Here's what you need to know as the deadline approaches:

What is Inland California?

It's a free service that helps people find branded health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California also offers financial assistance to buy health insurance, which means you can get discounts on services or buy health insurance through Medi-Cal.

If you live in California and don't have access to affordable insurance, you may be eligible.

Or, you may also be eligible if you are an immigrant who belongs to the following groups:

• Legal permanent residents (green card holders).

• Legal temporary resident.

• People fleeing persecution, including refugees and asylum seekers.

• Other humanitarian migrants, including those with temporary protected status.

• Holders of nonimmigrant status (including work and student visas).

When does Covered California expire?

Closed California open enrollment runs from November 1st through January 31st. This is the only time you can buy health insurance or change plans, with some exceptions. These exclusions include loss of current health insurance, marriage, or the birth of a child. Generally, you have 60 days from the date of the eligible life event to register.

Your coverage starts on the first day of the month after you choose a plan.

If you want coverage for all of 2024, you must choose a plan by December 31 (your coverage will begin on January 1).

How do I apply for health insurance in California?

You can register online.

You need the following information:

This may take about an hour.

If you need help, you can schedule a free appointment at one of our enrollment centers. You can also schedule a chat with a certified registrar or call the service center at 800-300-1506.

You can also shop and compare plans on the website by entering your coverage year, zip code, total household income and number of people in your family.

How much?

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Widespread change in health plan costs in California in 2018