Covered California Extends Enrollment To Uninsured Through August

People who are uninsured and eligible to enroll in health care coverage through Covered California are now able to sign up through the end of August.

The extension of the special-enrollment deadline comes during ongoing uncertainty in the lives and livelihoods of Californians as public health officials fight against the spread of COVID-19. It also applies to people who enroll in off-exchange plans, outside of Covered California, to ensure that people enrolling in the entire individual market in California will have access to coverage during the pandemic.

"Health insurance is just a phone call away, and our agents and staff stand ready to help people get the coverage they need," Covered California's Peter Lee said. Get free and confidential assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller at (800) 300-1506, or go to CoveredCA.com.

Covered California initially responded to the COVID-19 emergency by opening the health insurance exchange to any eligible uninsured individuals who needed health care coverage from March 20 to June 30, which was then extended to July 31.

The latest extension runs through Aug. 30.

The most recent data shows that 231,040 people have signed up through Covered California for health care coverage between March 20 and July 25, which is more than twice the number who signed up during the same time last year.

Those 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. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have coverage that is immediately effective.

California has halted Medi-Cal renewal reviews and discontinuances through the end of the public health emergency, ensuring that those already enrolled can continue their coverage. The decision will free up county resources to process new enrollments.

The Department of Health Care Services also received expanded authority to expedite enrollment for seniors and other vulnerable populations through Hospital Presumptive Eligibility; expand the use of telehealth; and to provide COVID-19 testing, testing-related services and treatment to the uninsured, among other steps to make it easier to access care.

Go to CoveredCA.com to learn more and enroll or call (800) 300-1506.

Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGoldeen.

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