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)
New Covered Cal signups up 41%
February 18, 2020 Leave a Comment
Covered California posted a dramatic surge in signups during its open enrollment for the year 2020. The increase for new health plans was put at 41 percent more than the numbers for 2019. Covered California credited "new state policies," notably including the return of an "individual mandate" that penalizes those who do not have health coverage. The federal penalty was removed for 2019, inspiring California to institute its own ... (More)
State’s uninsured rate put at 8.1%
October 25, 2019 Leave a Comment
Bucking nationwide trends, California's uninsured rate for health insurance remains "stable and low," according to a UCLA survey. The uninsured rate was 8.1 percent in 2018, according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Researchers credited "a stronger economy and state efforts to mitigate policy changes affecting the private purchase market." California's extended open enrollment period got part of the credit for the ... (More)
Covered Cal premium hikes at 1%
July 9, 2019 Leave a Comment
Covered California's average rate increase for 2020 will be just under 1 percent, officials said. The good news came shortly after state lawmakers reinstated a penalty for residents who fail to carry health insurance, similar to the "individual mandate" imposed under the federal Affordable Care Act. Covered California said it was "the lowest change" since the insurance marketplace launched. All 11 health insurance companies ... (More)
Covered Cal signups down 24%
January 31, 2019 Leave a Comment
New enrollments in Covered California plunged by almost 24 percent for the current year, a fall that had been both feared and expected. "The federal removal of the individual mandate penalty appears to have had a substantial impact on the number of new consumers signing up for coverage," Covered California chief Peter Lee said. Nonetheless, the state Obamacare operation finished its open enrollment for 2019 with 1.5 million plan ... (More)
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