Open enrollment for Covered California health insurance is under way.
The key “sign on” period runs from Oct. 15 through Jan. 15. That’s two weeks fewer than before, although the state Obamacare operation often finds a reason to extend the deadline a bit. (But don’t count on it.)
Covered California, as usual, urges consumers of its private health insurance to shop around and see if lower premiums could result. The average premium hike for 2019 will be 8.7 percent.
Consumers have until Dec. 15 to select coverage that begins Jan. 1. Those who wait until the last minute will see their health insurance begin Feb. 1.
This will be a closely watched enrollment period as it’s the first under the Affordable Care Act without the so-called Individual Mandate, which penalized most people for not having insurance. A double-digit drop in enrollments is anticipated. (Covered California saw its first dip in enrollment at the end of the 2018 sign-up.) People who did not have health coverage in 2018 will still have to pay the penalty, which comes due at tax time.
Carriers added between 2.5 and 6 percent to their 2019 rates citing concerns that the removal of the penalty will lead to a less healthy and costlier consumer pool.
The open enrollment is the only time most people can add or change their insurance. But people with special qualifying life events — such as births, job/COBRA loss — can make changes at any time of the year.
Covered California is using the term “sign on” period instead of “open enrollment,” but it’s the same thing.
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