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 people hospitalized with covid-19 “could walk out with very large bill.” Well over a million residents remain uninsured statewide.
Lee said that “California has reduced the rate of the uninsured more than any place in the nation.”
His comments came a day before the U.S. Supreme Court took up a closely watched challenge to the Affordable Care Act under which the state Obamacare operates.
“The idea that a supreme court would undercut the coverage protecting 32 million Americans would be legally cuckoo,” Lee said.
Justices seemed to indicate Tuesday that they were not inclined to unravel the nationwide health-insurance safety net. A ruling in the lawsuit backed by the Trump administration is not expected until midway through the next coverage year. President-elect Joe Biden is a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act.
“California’s open enrollment will be a bellwether for the nation and a model for the Biden administration as it takes office with a commitment to build on the Affordable Care Act,” Lee said.
About $157 million will be invested in this year’s open-enrollment marketing campaign, Lee said.
“We will be reaching into every corner of the state to encourage Californians to keep covid-safe and to get health coverage now,” Lee said.
Among the promotional efforts are TV spots directed by noted documentarian Errol Morris. The ads stress the message that financial help is available to almost everyone who seeks coverage via the marketplace. Of those eligible for subsidies through Covered California, more than half are believed to be Latino.
Ghaly noted that the coronavirus has been hitting minorities especially hard: “The pandemic is shining a new spotlight on an old problem. These disparities cannot be accepted.”
To reinforce the message, Covered California is sending out masks to current enrollees and to those who come aboard during open enrollment. Masks are emblazoned with the message “Get Covered/Stay Covered.”
California’s health-insurance operation begins renewal of the largest number of consumers in its six years — with more than 1.5 million consumers notified that they have until Dec. 15 to finalize their 2021 plan choice.
Covered California announced in October a record-low premium change of an averaged 0.5 percent for 2021.
Open enrollment for the upcoming year begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. The renewal period for members began Oct. 1. Consumers must be enrolled by Dec. 15 to qualify for health insurance that takes effect Jan. 1.
A record 1.5 million Californians are enrolled with the state’s health-insurance marketplace.
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