When will my coverage start? | Covered California™ (2024)

FAQs

When will my coverage start? | Covered California™? ›

Coverage will usually start on the first day of the month following plan selection (for example, if you selected a plan on Dec. 31, your coverage would start on Jan.

This qualifying life event can be used until Feb. 9, 2024, for coverage starting Feb. 1, 2024.

You can check the status of your coverage by signing in to your Covered California account. You can also reset your password on that page. Need to renew your coverage or make a change? You can do so online by logging into your account.

Covered Ca Update: Our simplified online Covered Ca application generally take 5-10 minutes versus the 45 minutes average for standard version. Call 800-320-6269. From the time we received the completed online Covered Ca app, we generally process it and confirm enrollment within 24 hours.

Not every employer has a waiting period, but many make employees wait up to 90 days before accessing health coverage. Fortunately, the government ensures the waiting period is no longer than that — 90 days is the maximum amount.

Open enrollment for Covered California starts in the fall. Even when open enrollment is over, individuals with qualifying life events can enroll at any time of the year. Medi-Cal enrollment is also year-round.

If you miss the enroll-by date, you might have to wait until the next open enrollment period — but there are some exceptions. If you go through a major life change, you may still be able to apply for health insurance with Covered California under special enrollment.

Covered California income limits are a household income of up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households who make more than that do not qualify for financial assistance with their health insurance plans. How much is this in hard figures? The limits are based on both household income and household size.

Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 to see if you qualify for a health plan and APTC, and receive help in finding the best plan for you and your family. You must act fast as you only have 60 days from the date of losing Medi-Cal eligibility to enroll in Covered California under special enrollment.

Who is Eligible for Covered California? All U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and noncitizens lawfully present in California may apply for health care through Covered California. Who is Not Eligible for Covered California? If you are not lawfully present in California, you are not eligible for a Covered California plan.

Why did I get denied for Covered California? ›

Covered California stated that your application was incomplete. You do not have other health coverage (such as free Medi-Cal or employer-sponsored insurance) that prevents you from qualifying for insurance through Covered California. Covered California stated that you are not a California resident.

Immigrants who are not lawfully present do not qualify for a health plan through Covered California; however, they may qualify for coverage through Medi-Cal up to age 26 or for pregnancy coverage. Immigrants who are not lawfully present can also buy private health insurance on their own outside of Covered California.

Covered California will accept a clear, legible copy from the allowable document proof list from the following categories which you can click on for more details: Proof of Income, Proof of Citizenship or Lawful Presence, Proof of California Residency, and Proof of Minimum Essential Coverage.

What is the 90-day waiting period exactly? First things first, the 90-day waiting period is the maximum amount of time an eligible employee has to wait before enrolling in a company-sponsored health insurance plan. Once the time period ends, by law, employees must be given the opportunity to get health coverage.

There are exemptions for reasons such as living only part of the year in California, reporting a hardship or going without coverage less than three months. People can also seek an exemption if health coverage is considered unaffordable, if that coverage would cost more than 8.17% of their household income.

Compliance with the 60-Day Waiting Period

This can cause problems for employers because most insurers do not allow coverage to begin in the middle of the month. Therefore, many employers are forced to offer health insurance no later than 30 days after the employee's first month.

The limits are based on both household income and household size. In 2024, an individual in a one-person household is eligible for some degree of Covered California subsidies if they earn up to $33,975 Meanwhile, that limit rises to $69,375 for a household size of 4.

Typically, health insurance providers offer a grace period of 30 days. However, Covered California has extended the grace period to 90 days for those who receive federal subsidy assistance in the form of an advanced premium tax credit and who have paid at least one full month's premium within the benefit year.

Right now, you also have the choice to change to Fee‑For‑Service (FFS) Medi‑Cal (Regular Medi‑Cal). Starting January 1, 2024, you will no longer be able to change to FFS. Starting in 2024, Medi‑Cal health plans will have new rules to advance health equity, quality, access, accountability, and transparency.