Covered California

Covered California was created through the Affordable Care Act (opens in new tab). If you live in California, you can apply directly for a health plan on Covered California's website or by calling them. They offer metal plans (opens in new tab) (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) as well as catastrophic coverage (opens in new tab) from a variety of health plan companies. When you apply, you’ll also find out whether you’re eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal and CHIP (opens in new tab) programs.

Am I eligible for Covered California?

Any legal resident of California can apply for health coverage through the Covered California health insurance marketplace (opens in new tab).

When can I apply?

You can only apply for individual Covered California plans during Open Enrollment (opens in new tab), which usually begins October 15 and lasts until January 15. The only time you can enroll outside of this period is if you have a special qualifying life event (opens in new tab), like loss of a job, marriage, birth of a baby, etc. Think you might be eligible for Medicaid (opens in new tab) or CHIP (opens in new tab)? You can apply for these programs any time of the year, even outside of Open Enrollment.

How do I apply?

If you need a health plan in California, you can shop for one on Covered California's website (opens in new tab) or over the phone at 1-800-300-1506. Before you do, make sure to have the following information handy for every member of your household you’d like covered:

• Full name, as it appears on your Social Security card
• Birth date
• Social Security number (SSN)
• Residential address
• Telephone number
• Email for primary applicant
• If you’re a naturalized citizen: The number from your certificate of citizenship/naturalization (located at the upper right-hand corner) and your alien number (located just below, beginning with an “A”)
• If you’re not a citizen but have a visa/green card/foreign passport: Your alien/USCIS number and I-94/visa/green card/passport number
• Tax and income information
• How you file your taxes (i.e., as an individual, family, etc.)
• All employer names and addresses
• The projected income earned by each household member who has a job (if you’re self-employed, you’ll need to provide your average monthly income)
• Social Security and unemployment income
• Any other additional income, like interest, IRA, alimony, etc.
• Any deductions on your tax returns

Can I apply for Covered California if I don’t have a Social Security number?

Yes. You can apply for Covered California coverage if you’re lawfully present even without a Social Security number (SSN) as long as one of the following is true:

• You’ve applied for a SSN
• You don’t qualify for a SSN due to your immigration status
• You do not want to provide your SSN for religious reasons

If you don’t use a SSN when you apply, you’ll need to provide appropriate documentation within 90 days.

Can I get financial assistance with Covered California?

When you sign up on the Covered California health insurance marketplace, you’ll find out if you qualify for subsidies (opens in new tab). You can then use that financial assistance toward the plan you purchase. Just remember, these subsidies aren’t fixed and can fluctuate throughout the year as your income changes.