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Covered California Open Enrollment 2026

Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in health insurance or make changes to your existing coverage through Covered California. Understanding the enrollment period, deadlines, and requirements can help you secure the health coverage you need.

What is Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment is a specific time period each year when you can enroll in health insurance through Covered California or make changes to your existing coverage. This annual window ensures everyone has the opportunity to obtain health insurance, regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions.

During open enrollment, you can:

  • Enroll in a new health insurance plan
  • Switch from one health plan to another
  • Add or remove dependents from your coverage
  • Update your income and household information
  • Change from one metal tier to another (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
  • Apply for financial assistance and subsidies

2026 Open Enrollment Dates

Enrollment Starts

November 1, 2025

You can begin your application

Enrollment Ends

January 31, 2026

Final day to enroll for 2026

Coverage Start Dates

When your coverage begins depends on when you complete your enrollment:

If You Enroll By Coverage Starts On
December 31, 2025 January 1, 2026
January 1-31, 2026 February 1, 2026

Who Can Enroll During Open Enrollment?

You can enroll in Covered California during open enrollment if you:

Basic Requirements

  • Live in California
  • Are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawfully present immigrant
  • Are not currently incarcerated
  • Don't have access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance

Who Should Enroll

  • Individuals without health insurance
  • People who want to change their current plan
  • Those experiencing life changes (marriage, birth, etc.)
  • Anyone wanting to compare plans for better coverage or savings

Special Enrollment Periods

If you miss open enrollment, you may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience:

  • Loss of health coverage (job loss, aging off parent's plan, etc.)
  • Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Moving to California from another state
  • Gaining citizenship or lawful presence
  • Release from incarceration
  • Changes in income that affect subsidy eligibility
Learn More About Eligibility

How to Prepare for Open Enrollment

Getting ready before open enrollment begins can make the process faster and easier. Here's what you'll need:

Documents to Gather

Personal Information

  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Immigration documents (if applicable)
  • Proof of California residency
  • Contact information

Income Information

  • Recent pay stubs (last 2-3 months)
  • Tax return from last year (Form 1040)
  • W-2 forms and 1099 forms
  • Self-employment records (if applicable)

Employer Coverage Info

  • Employer name and address
  • Employer insurance offer letter (if any)
  • Cost of employer-sponsored coverage
  • Coverage dates and details

Current Coverage

  • Current insurance card and policy number
  • List of current medications
  • Preferred doctors and hospitals
  • Upcoming medical procedures or needs

Pre-Enrollment Checklist

Review your current plan (if you have one) and note what works and what doesn't
Estimate your household income for the upcoming year
Make a list of your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals
Review your prescription medications and check formularies
Consider your expected healthcare needs for the coming year
Calculate your budget for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs
Use the subsidy calculator to estimate financial assistance
Calculate Your Subsidy Learn About Plan Types

Step-by-Step Enrollment Process

Follow these steps to successfully enroll in health insurance through Covered California:

Begin your application online — no account creation required to get started. You can complete the entire process in one session or save your progress and return later if needed.

Start Application

Provide information about everyone in your household, including:

  • Names and dates of birth
  • Social Security numbers
  • Immigration status (if applicable)
  • Contact information

Enter your estimated household income for the upcoming year. This determines:

  • Whether you qualify for Medi-Cal (Medicaid)
  • Your eligibility for premium subsidies
  • Your eligibility for cost-sharing reductions

You'll receive your eligibility determination, which will show:

  • Whether you qualify for Medi-Cal or Covered California
  • The amount of premium subsidy you're eligible for (if any)
  • Whether you qualify for cost-sharing reductions
  • Which household members are eligible for coverage

Review and compare available health plans based on:

  • Monthly premium costs (after subsidies)
  • Metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
  • Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
  • Provider networks and covered doctors
  • Prescription drug coverage
Plan Selection Guide

Complete your enrollment by:

  • Selecting your chosen health plan
  • Reviewing and confirming all information
  • Signing your application electronically
  • Paying your first month's premium to the insurance company

Need Help Enrolling?

Our licensed insurance agents can guide you through every step of the enrollment process at no cost to you.

Speak with an Agent Schedule a Consultation

Common Open Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure a smooth enrollment experience:

Missing the Deadline

Waiting until the last minute can lead to technical issues or incomplete applications. Start early and give yourself time to compare plans.

Solution: Begin your application in early November to avoid last-minute stress.

Incorrect Income Estimates

Underestimating or overestimating your income can affect your subsidy amount and lead to owing money at tax time or missing out on savings.

Solution: Be as accurate as possible and report income changes throughout the year.

Not Checking Provider Networks

Choosing a plan without verifying your doctors are in-network can result in higher costs or having to find new providers.

Solution: Always check if your preferred doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network before enrolling.

Forgetting to Pay Premium

Enrolling but not paying your first premium means your coverage won't start, even if you completed the application.

Solution: Pay your first premium immediately after enrolling to ensure coverage begins on time.

Auto-Renewing Without Review

Automatically renewing your plan without reviewing changes could mean missing better options or paying more than necessary.

Solution: Always shop and compare plans during open enrollment, even if you like your current plan.

Not Considering Total Costs

Focusing only on the monthly premium without considering deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums can lead to unexpected expenses.

Solution: Calculate your total annual healthcare costs, not just premiums, when choosing a plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you miss the open enrollment deadline, you won't be able to enroll in coverage until the next open enrollment period unless you experience a qualifying life event that makes you eligible for Special Enrollment. Qualifying events include losing health coverage, getting married or divorced, having a baby, or moving to California from another state.

Generally, you can only change your health plan during the annual open enrollment period. However, if you experience a qualifying life event, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to make changes outside of open enrollment. You must report the qualifying event within 60 days.

If you're already enrolled and don't want to change plans, you can be automatically re-enrolled in the same plan (or a similar plan if yours is discontinued). However, it's highly recommended to actively shop during open enrollment each year because plan costs, benefits, and subsidies can change significantly.

Most Californians qualify for some form of financial help. You may be eligible for premium subsidies if your household income is between 138% and 600% of the Federal Poverty Level. Use our subsidy calculator to estimate your savings, or speak with one of our licensed agents for a personalized assessment.

Yes, California has an individual mandate requiring residents to have health insurance or pay a penalty. The penalty for 2025 is the greater of 2.5% of your household income above the tax filing threshold, or $900 per adult and $450 per child (up to $2,700 per family). Learn more about the California tax penalty.

Absolutely! Our licensed insurance agents are available to help you through the entire enrollment process at no cost to you. We can help you understand your options, compare plans, apply for subsidies, and enroll in coverage. Contact us by phone or schedule a consultation at your convenience.

If your income changes significantly during the year (increase or decrease of more than 10%), you should report the change to Covered California as soon as possible. This ensures you receive the correct subsidy amount and helps you avoid owing money at tax time or missing out on additional savings.

Ready to Get Started?

Don't wait until the last minute. Start your application today and secure quality health coverage for you and your family.

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