More special enrollment: Aug. 31

Covered California is giving consumers even more time to sign up for healthcare coverage, in an unprecedented extension of its enrollment.

The new special-enrollment deadline is Aug. 31.

“We are all doing our part in this health crisis, by wearing masks and practicing social distancing, and Covered California is committed to helping people access the health care they need,” said Covered California chief Peter Lee. “As the battle against the pandemic continues, we want to give people every possible opportunity to get healthcare coverage, whether it is through Covered California or Medi-Cal.”

After initial successes in combating the covid-19 virus, California has become one of the nation’s hot spots in recent weeks.

Covered California initially responded to the pandemic by opening the health insurance exchange to any eligible uninsured individuals from March 20 to June 30. That deadline was then extended to July 31.

About 231,040 people signed up through Covered California for health care coverage between March 20 and July 25, more than twice the number who signed up during the same time last year. Special enrollments typically cover life events such as loss of a job or divorce.

“Covered California is always open and available for people who lose their job-based health insurance,” Lee said. “During this time, we also want to make sure that those who do not have health insurance also have access to the care in the middle of a pandemic.”

Overall, 298,600 people signed up for coverage since Jan. 31, the end of regular enrollment, Covered California said.