Open enrollment for Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace, begins Sunday, Nov. 1. During this window, any eligible Californian can enroll for the first time, switch plans or renew.
Key dates
- Nov. 1: open enrollment begins
- Dec. 31: enroll by this date for a plan that starts Jan. 1, 2027
- January: enroll in January for a plan starting Feb. 1
- Jan. 31: open enrollment ends
How it works
One application covers both Covered California and Medi-Cal, and the agency checks what financial help you qualify for. Covered California says most enrollees qualify for help paying for their plan. After you pick a plan, you pay your first bill and your insurer mails an ID card. You can use your coverage before the card arrives.
Covered California's homepage urges current enrollees to compare plans because they may save with a different plan or coverage level. It also links to a guide on federal rule changes that may affect costs and coverage.
Outside open enrollment, you generally need a major life change, like losing coverage or getting married, which opens a special enrollment period of about 60 days.