California's state-based health exchange since 2013
Get a QuoteYou can switch your Covered California plan during open enrollment or if you have a qualifying life event. Learn when you can switch and how to change plans without losing coverage.
You can only switch plans during open enrollment (Nov 1 - Jan 31) or if you have a qualifying life event. Outside these periods, you're generally locked into your current plan for the year.
There are two main times you can switch your Covered California health plan:
November 1 - January 31 annually
Year-round with qualifying event
Open enrollment is the easiest time to switch plans because:
Your old plan automatically cancels December 31, and your new plan starts January 1 with no gap.
Outside open enrollment, you can only switch plans if you have a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period:
You have 60 days from the qualifying event to switch plans. You'll need to provide documentation proving the event occurred.
A Covered California certified agent can:
Agent services are completely free—paid by carriers, not you.
Consider switching plans during open enrollment if:
Let a licensed agent compare plans and help you switch without any coverage gaps.
Compare all available plans and find better coverage at a better price.
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