Tag: Covered California

Bilingual report — Covered California Announces More Time to Enroll for Coverage in 2024

SACRAMENTO — Covered California announced today that it will give consumers until Feb. 9 to sign up for coverage in 2024.

“We’ve seen record-breaking enrollment nationally, and Covered California is surging with heightened demand,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We want any Californian who needs health insurance to have the opportunity to get covered for the rest of 2024, and extending the open-enrollment period will ensure they have the time they need.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Launches New Television Ad Campaign to Promote Enrollment and Encourage Californians to Sign Up for Quality Health Insurance

Covered California launched its new television advertising campaign on Monday, to promote enrollment and encourage the uninsured throughout the state to sign up for quality health insurance. The multi-language campaign builds on the successful theme of “This Way to Health Insurance,” which has helped Covered California enroll a record-high 1.7 million people.

“Covered California is reaching out to our state’s diverse population to make sure all Californians know about the increased and expanded financial help that is available to help bring the cost of quality coverage within reach,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “We want to make sure people know that Covered California is here to help them get and pay for quality, brand-name health insurance.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Supports the Biden Administration’s Proposal to Expand Affordable Coverage to More Californians by Fixing the So-Called “Family Glitch”

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman commended President Joe Biden’s administration for finalizing the proposed fix to the “Family Glitch,” an issue that had prevented millions of Americans with unaffordable employer health insurance from getting marketplace coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

“Covered California supports this proposed rule change, which will build on the Affordable Care Act’s vision and intent to expand access to affordable health insurance, by opening the door of coverage to millions of Americans.

This is a new era for the Affordable Care Act, as Covered California prepares to enter its 10th open enrollment period, with increased financial help available for those who need coverage as well as our 1.7 million enrollees.

With renewal beginning Oct. 18 and open enrollment starting Nov. 1, we look forward to spending the next four months getting every Californian covered.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Announces Second Straight Year of Premium Decreases for Dental Plans

Covered California announced today that the statewide weighted average rate change for dental coverage in 2023 will be a decrease of 1.7 percent, marking the second straight year that premiums have gone down, and continuing the trend of holding costs steady for consumers.

“The pandemic forced many people to put their dental needs on hold, and dentists saw increased cases of cavities, gum disease and stress-related tooth damage,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “The good news is that rates are going down for the second consecutive year, which will help Californians get the dental care they need at a price they can afford.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Hails the Signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, Which Will Continue to Provide Lower Costs and Expanded Access to Quality Health Insurance for Californians

The Inflation Reduction Act extends the increased financial help initially provided by the American Rescue Plan through the end of 2025. The increased subsidies expanded health care coverage, leading to record enrollment in California and across the nation, and lowered…

Bilingual report — Covered California Lends Support for Wildfire Victims Throughout the State

Covered California has announced a special-enrollment period for people living in counties where a state of emergency has been declared due to raging wildfires.

“Once again, wildfires are disrupting the lives of thousands of Californians, and if you are among those affected, Covered California is here to make sure you have access to quality health care coverage,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “Opening this path to coverage will ensure that those who have been affected by these fires have one less thing to worry about and can get health insurance through either Covered California or Medi-Cal.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Announces 2023 Plan Rates: Lower Than National Average Amid Uncertain Future of American Rescue Plan Benefits

Covered California announced its plans and rates for the 2023 coverage year. The preliminary weighted average rate change is an increase of 6 percent, due in part to the return of a normal medical trend that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the potential end of the increased and expanded financial help offered to eligible consumers through the American Rescue Plan, if Congress does not extend the law before it expires at the end of the year.

“Covered California’s competitive marketplace continues to hold the line on rates that are well below the national average, keeping coverage within reach and giving Californians new choices,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “However, without an extension of the expanded financial help provided by the American Rescue Plan, Californians will receive less financial help next year and see their monthly payments rise as a result.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Applauds the New Budget signed by Gov. Newsom that Expands Health Care Access and Turns Focus to Health Equity

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman commended Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a new budget deal on Thursday, which advances the effort to improve access to equitable health coverage and care, including state subsidies for coverage through Covered California in 2023:

“Covered California applauds Gov. Newsom and the Legislature on the passage and signage of the state budget.  

“The budget reflects California’s commitment to expanding access to health care for all, as well as the continued push to advance health equity for every Californian.

Bilingual report — Covered California’s Spanish-Language Ad Earns National Honors at the 43rd Annual Telly Awards

Covered California won three prestigious Telly Awards in recognition of its efforts to deliver its message of quality, affordable health care coverage to all Californians.

The Spanish-language television ad “Corazón” aired during the most recent open-enrollment period. The ad depicts a father watching his daughter grow from a toddler through to her quinceañera, and highlights how important proper health care coverage can be in that journey.

“Covered California believes in and invests in marketing to all of our state’s diverse populations,” said Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We are proud of the culturally relevant content we create to reach Californians with the message that affordable health insurance is available for them and their families. These awards show the value of this approach.”

Bilingual report — Covered California Applauds Executive Action From the White House Outlining Plans to Build on the Affordable Care Act

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman hailed (April 5) executive actions from President Biden’s administration, which would expand access to coverage for American families by fixing the “family glitch” and directing federal agencies to continue working to expand affordable, quality health care coverage:           

“In California, we are thrilled to see the Biden administration continue to strengthen and expand upon the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, bringing high-quality and more affordable health care coverage to millions of Americans.

Bilingual report — On the Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Covered California Reminds Uninsured Consumers They May Still Be Able to Sign Up for Coverage and Save Big on Their Premiums Throughout 2022

Wednesday marks the 12th anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the most significant improvement to America’s health care system since the passage of Medicaid and Medicare more than five decades ago. On this anniversary, Covered California celebrates the progress made since passage of this groundbreaking law and is reminding people that they may still be able to sign up for comprehensive coverage during the current special-enrollment period.

Bilingual report — Covered California Responds to White House Announcement on American Rescue Plan Gains Across the Nation

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman applauded today’s announcement from President Biden’s administration, which highlighted the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan and the increased investments to expand health care coverage and reduce costs for Americans.

“The American Rescue Plan opened the doors of health care coverage to more people than ever before by building on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a time when people needed it most.

Bilingual report — Covered California Names Jessica Altman as Its New Chief Executive Officer

Covered California’s Board of Directors announced Tuesday the appointment of Jessica Altman as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Altman currently serves as the insurance commissioner for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, where she is charged with regulating the Commonwealth’s insurance marketplace, protecting consumers and ensuring their health insurance needs are met. She will join Covered California with a wealth of experience concerning the Affordable Care Act, having played key roles in the Obama administration during the early establishment and implementation of the law, and as the chair of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority, where she led the establishment of Pennsylvania’s state-based marketplace.

Bilingual report — Covered California Begins 2022 With a Record 1.7 Million Enrollees and Encourages Uninsured Californians to Sign Up Now as Deadline Approaches

With the final deadline for the current open-enrollment period quickly approaching on Jan. 31, Covered California announced that 1,744,000 people have signed up for coverage, which is a new record high for the start of a coverage year (see Figure 1: Covered California Plan Selections to Start a Coverage Year). The total represents an increase of more than 350,000 people compared to the start of 2020, as Covered California has used the increased financial help from the American Rescue Plan to expand coverage and meet the needs of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having quality coverage, and with a surge of COVID-19 infections across the state, now is the time to make sure you have health insurance,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California.

“We want to encourage anyone who is currently going without health care coverage to check out their options and sign up so they can be covered in 2022.”

Bilingual report: UFW founder Dolores Huerta partners with Covered California to promote Latino enrollment

Human Rights Activist Featured in Radio Ads and Video Urging Californians to Sign Up for Health Insurance Coverage SACRAMENTO — Covered California™ announced that Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers and a longtime civil rights leader, will appeal to…

March cover story: Health care issues take centerstage

Affordable Care Act March 31 deadline, new health agency chief and health plan’s improvement of services top the list By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 With the deadline looming for open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, the announcement of…