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)

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)

Covered Cal hikes average 0.5%

Covered California's rate increases for 2021 are averaging out at a tad less than expected -- at 0.5 percent. That's a record low for the state Obamacare operation, which heads into the new year with vast uncertainties due to the White House's attempts to dismantle federal support. The average preliminary rate change announced in August was revised downward from 0.6 percent. "The lower rate change is the result of reduced rates ... (More)

Covered Cal expects .6% rate hike

"California continues to show the nation what can be done when you build on and strengthen the Affordable Care Act," its executive director said in announcing an average rate increase of under 1 percent for the 2021 plan year. That 0.6 percent estimate would be the lowest increase since the launch of Obamacare. It comes on the heels of a rate hike of only 0.8 percent in 2020. A few carriers were predicted to have price hikes of as ... (More)

Analysis: Premiums could soar 40%

Premiums in the 2021 individual healthcare market could spike 40 percent or more in 2021, according to an analysis by Covered California. The rates for next year are being set "right now," and will be drastically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the state Obamacare operation said March 24. "Given that insurers will be submitting 2021 rates in May and finalizing them around July 1, congressional action is needed very soon in ... (More)