On March 20, 2020 in Sacramento, as the majority of the country enters its second week of quarantine in efforts to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) that has already claimed the lives of thousands of people across the world, Covered California along with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) came together to make sure that the people who are losing employment or have been affected by this pandemic, would have a path towards health coverage. This type of coverage could be either through Medi-Cal or through Covered California.
This would mean that even though the official enrollment deadline was January 31, 2020, anyone who would have qualified for health insurance under Covered California or Medi-Cal will now have until June 30, 2020 to complete their registration. In response to the COVID-19 national emergency, effective Friday, March 20, the Department of Covered California reopens the health insurance exchange to any eligible individuals who remain uninsured that need health care coverage.
This will also provide relief to those taxpayers or individuals who may not have been aware of the penalty for being uninsured that the State of California will be applying in the next tax season in 2021. The uninsured penalty will be very similar to what it was under the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare as the majority of people called it. The penalty will be $695 per individual, and $347.50 per child, or 2.5% of gross income over the filing threshold. You can read more about the penalty and the filing thresholds here that goes more into detail and comes directly from the Franchise Tax Board.
In the statement, Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California says the idea is "to get as many people covered as possible to ensure they have access to the health care they need."
If you or someone you know needs assistance signing up or any questions related to Covered California, rest assured that our office, as Certified Insurance Agents is willing and able to assist by phone and via email. You may reach us at (213)383-2071 or by email at rcinsurance1@gmail.com.