Do I Qualify for Covered California?

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Covered California, you must meet ALL of these requirements:

• Live in California - Must be a California resident (not just visiting)
• U.S. Citizen or lawfully present - Must have qualifying immigration status
• Not currently incarcerated - Cannot be serving a sentence in prison or jail

Having other health insurance doesn't disqualify you from applying, but it may affect whether you qualify for financial help.

California Residency Requirement

You must be a California resident to enroll in Covered California. This means:

• You live in California and intend to stay (not just visiting or temporarily present)
• California is your primary place of residence
• You have a California address where you receive mail

What Counts as Proof of Residency?

• California driver's license or ID card
• Utility bill with California address
• Lease or mortgage agreement
• Pay stub showing California address
• Bank statement with California address

Recent Movers

If you just moved to California, you become eligible for Covered California immediately. Moving to California triggers a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll outside of open enrollment. You have 60 days from your move date to enroll.

Citizenship and Immigration Status

You must be a U.S. citizen or have qualifying immigration status to enroll in Covered California.

Who Qualifies:

• U.S. citizens (born in the U.S. or naturalized)
• U.S. nationals
• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
• Refugees and asylees
• Other qualified immigration statuses (TPS, U-Visa, etc.)

DACA Recipients

Since August 31, 2025, DACA recipients are not eligible for Covered California because of a federal rule change. They may qualify for Medi-Cal (see DACA health insurance options).

Income Requirements

There is no upper income limit for Covered California, but your income determines whether you qualify for subsidies:

Income Ranges for 2027 (Individual)

• At or below $22,032 (138% FPL): Qualify for Medi-Cal (free coverage); the Medi-Cal limit in effect now, from the 2026 guidelines
• Above $22,032 and below $63,840 (above 138% and below 400% FPL): Qualify for Covered CA with subsidies
• $63,840 or more (400% FPL): Qualify for Covered CA without federal subsidies (full price)

Even if your income is too high for subsidies, you can still enroll in Covered California and benefit from comprehensive ACA coverage that cannot deny you for pre-existing conditions.

What Income Counts?

Covered California uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes:

• Wages and salaries
• Self-employment income
• Social Security benefits (taxable portion)
• Investment income and capital gains
• Rental income
• Unemployment benefits

Special Cases & Exceptions

Employer Coverage

Having insurance through your job doesn't disqualify you from applying. You may also qualify for financial help if:

• Employer coverage costs more than 10.22% of your household income in 2027 (not affordable)
• Employer coverage doesn't meet minimum value standards (covers less than 60% of costs)

If your employer covers only you, your family members may qualify for financial help.

Medicare Eligibility

Medicare is for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with permanent kidney failure. In general, people who are eligible for Medicare, even if they don't enroll in it, can't get financial help to lower the monthly premium for a Covered California plan. It's also generally against the law for someone who knows you have Medicare to sell you a Marketplace plan such as Covered California. Covered California does not sell Medicare plans: see your Medicare options.

Mixed-Status Families

Family members can have different eligibility. For example:

• U.S. citizen children can enroll even if parents are undocumented
• One parent on Medi-Cal, other parent and children on Covered California

Students

College students can remain on parent plans until age 26, but can also enroll in their own Covered California plan if they prefer or if parent coverage isn't available.