State officials are making the final push for Californians without health insurance to sign up for coverage through Covered California, saying many will qualify for protection and peace of mind for around $10 a month.
This year’s open registration deadline is midnight on January 31st. Once registered, consumers can see that their plan will go into effect on February 1. Insurance agents and volunteers across the state are providing last-ditch support to help people enroll.
Yadira Lopez, a certified attorney for Covered California, said some of her clients pay less than a meal a month for their insurance.
“We’re seeing $0 monthly premiums,” Loped said. “Now, 50% of registrants pay less than $10 a month.”
Here’s how to shop and compare
Covered California has updated the layout of its website to make it easier for potential enrollees to understand how much they’ll pay each month for coverage and what financial help they can get.
For example, a single 40-year-old in Whittier with a median income of $35,000 can fill out a simple form to calculate that he or she will be able to buy a plan that costs $125 a month and potentially receive $210 a month in aid.
The same user can also compare different plans with coverage details to make a New Year’s decision. The website will also inform consumers whether common COVID-19 treatments are covered by their chosen plan.
how to get help
Consumers can get free and confidential help in different languages. Here’s how to find someone who can help you in the language of your choice. You can also search by distance and zip code.
Need more help completing the registration process?
You can call the Service Center at 1-800-300-1506 or submit your contact information online so someone can call you within 15 minutes.
Why do you need insurance
In addition to the peace of mind of dealing with any potential health issues, Americans without health insurance face no penalties when filing state taxes. The fine can run up to at least $2,555 for a family of four.
