Q&A with new Covered Cal boss

When she was Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner, Jessica Altman, the appointee of a Democratic governor, often bumped against the political limits of health care policy in a state where Republicans controlled the legislature. Despite the constraints of a divided government, Altman played a key role in persuading lawmakers in 2019 to join Gov. Tom Wolf in passing legislation that established Pennsylvania’s state-run Affordable Care ... (More)

Open enrollment through Jan. 31

Open enrollment for individual health insurance plans via Covered California is under way and continues through Jan. 31. Twelve health insurers are participating in the Covered California marketplace in 2022. Not all insurers are operating in all areas. A record 1.6 million Californians are enrolled in the state Obamacare operation. Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's health and human services secretary, said that with additional ... (More)

Virus, Biden order prompt extension

Covered California has extended its open enrollment until May 15, following up on President Biden's executive order extending sign-ups in the federal marketplace. Enrollment had been scheduled to expire at the end of the month. Similar to the steps Covered California took last year, the new special-enrollment period will the uninsured to sign up for coverage without needing to meet the normal qualifying life events, such as recent ... (More)

Deadline extended to Dec. 30

Covered California is known for moving signup deadlines, but here's a first: Enrollment for 2021 has been extended until Dec. 30. Coverage begins two days later. The deadline had been Dec. 15. Consumers who sign up by Dec. 30 will need to pay their first bill in order to have their coverage take effect on Jan. 1, however. Covered California chief Peter Lee said, "The pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on all of our ... (More)

Open enrollment under way

Covered California’s open enrollment period for 2021 coverage has officially begun, fueled by a $157 million marketing effort. The organization's executive director, Peter Lee, was joined Nov. 9 by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and state Health and Human Services Agency secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly in a teleconference that kicked off promotion of the signup period. Ghaly, also Covered California's board chairman, warned that uninsured ... (More)