Record high enrollment in the Covered California program

With more than 1.8 million enrolled, Covered California has reached its record number of enrollees, with the first open enrollment period ending December 31.

With this open enrollment, 143,686 Californians have signed up for 2025 coverage as of December 14, an increase of three percent over the same period last year.

An additional 1,647,162 Californians have renewed their insurance coverage so far, a four percent increase over the same period last year.

“We want to make sure every uninsured Californian understands that the largest financial assistance ever offered through the Affordable Care Act is available here in California in 2025,” said Jessica Altman, Executive Director of Covered California. “Now is the time to take advantage of this financial support to start the new year with affordable, name-brand health insurance and peace of mind for you and your family.”

With the first open enrollment deadline of December 31 quickly approaching, Covered California urges consumers to enroll now so they can receive health coverage for all of 2025 starting January 1. Open registration ends January 31st.

Nearly 39,000 new enrollees have been identified as Latino, while nearly 28,000 Asian Americans have signed up for coverage so far. Over 33,000 white Californians and over 4,000 black Californians enrolled, and over 28,000 Californians did not disclose their race/ethnicity.

Despite continued progress, the latest data from the California Simulation of Insurance Markets (CalSIM), a model created by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, shows that there are nearly 1.3 million uninsured Californians who are either eligible for subsidies through Covered California (591,000). ) or are eligible for health insurance (675,000) and reside throughout the state.

In 2025, Covered California will provide more financial help to Californians than ever before. Building on existing federal subsidies to pay health insurance premiums, Covered California is expanding its cost-sharing reduction program, which lowers the cost of accessing health care for consumers by reducing out-of-pocket costs when they seek health care, including eliminating deductibles in all three Silver cost sharing reduction plans.

The out-of-pocket cost-sharing reduction program is available to all Californians with incomes above 200 percent of the federal poverty level (that’s $30,120 for a single person and $62,400 for a family of four), while those with incomes below 200 percent Those below the federal poverty level will continue to have access to higher benefits.

In 2024, nearly 800,000 existing Covered California members are taking advantage of this program, and over 100,000 of the new members have qualified for these cost savings and broader benefits in 2025. That means nearly 1.1 million participants have already signed up for 2025 enhanced Silver plans.

Nearly 90 percent of Covered California participants receive financial assistance. Two-thirds of these participants qualify for health insurance for $10 or less per month, and nearly half could get a comprehensive Silver plan for that price.

Consumers can learn more about their options by visiting CoveredCA.com. There they can easily find out if they qualify for financial assistance and see insurance options in their area. Those interested in learning more about their insurance options can also call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

Californians who forego health insurance face a tax penalty administered by the state Franchise Tax Board. The penalty for not having year-round coverage is a minimum of $900 per adult and $450 per dependent child under 18 years of age in the household. A family of four who goes uninsured all year will face a fine of at least $2,700.

Covered California is an independent branch of state government tasked with making the health insurance marketplace work for California consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature.