SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Covered California is urging uninsured Californians to act quickly to sign up for or renew their health insurance before the Jan. 31 deadline.
Officials say this push comes as the state aims to ensure residents have access to affordable health coverage in 2026.
As the deadline for open enrollment nears, more than 1.9 million Californians have already secured high-quality health insurance through Covered California.
Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman emphasized the importance of coverage.
“Although Congress did not extend the financial assistance that has helped millions of Americans afford health insurance, thousands of families across California are showing how critical having coverage is to them,” said Altman. “We are proud of the work we’ve done to help connect Californians to care, but we have a long way to go. As we approach the final deadline for open enrollment, we’re encouraging everyone to explore their options and find a plan that helps protect the physical, mental and financial health of you and your family.”
Once the open enrollment period ends, Californians must experience a major life change to enroll through Covered California. The agency encourages residents to use their website or seek help from the 14,000 licensed insurance agents available.
Nearly half of the new enrollees are from Southern California, with significant sign-ups from Latino and Asian American communities. Data from the California Simulation of Insurance Markets showed that nearly 1.2 million uninsured Californians qualify for subsidies or low-cost Medi-Cal.
Covered California
In response to affordability challenges, California has allocated $190 million to help maintain reasonable premiums for the most vulnerable residents. This effort aims to offset the $2.5 billion loss following the sunset of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits.
Approximately 82% of Covered California enrollees are eligible for financial help in 2026, with many able to secure plans for $10 or less per month. Residents can explore their options on CoveredCA.com or seek assistance from certified agents.
Californians who opt out of health insurance will face tax penalties, with a family of four potentially facing a penalty of at least $2,800 for going uninsured the entire year.