The 2017 Open Enrollment period for Covered California began this week. Several improvements have been made for 2017, including more affordable health plan options, the expansion of coverage areas, lower copays for primary care and emergency room visits, and the addition of two new family dental plans. Additionally, Covered California enrollees who do not have a primary care physician upon enrollment will automatically be matched to a doctor, who is accepting patients, within 60 days of coverage. Covered California premiums are expected to rise by more than 13 percent in 2017, which is significantly lower than the national average increase of 25 percent.
Covered California is the State’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Since the exchange launched in 2014, more than 2.8 million Californians have purchased health insurance through Covered California. Open enrollment will continue through January 31, 2017.
Additional information on coverage and enrollment options can be accessed here.