When Does My Covered California Coverage Start?

Effective Date Rules

Coverage always starts on the first day of a month. If your enrollment is submitted before the end of the current month and all documents are in order, your coverage starts on the 1st of the following month.

2026 Enrollment & Coverage Start Calendar

Here's when your coverage starts based on your enrollment month during open enrollment:

Payment Deadlines

After enrolling, you must pay your first month's premium by the deadline for coverage to begin:

• Standard deadline: Premium due by the 23rd of the month before coverage starts
• January 1 coverage: Premium due by December 23 (or December 31 for some carriers)
• No payment = No coverage: If you don't pay, your enrollment is canceled

Payment Methods

• Online payment (credit/debit card, bank account)
• Mail a check to your insurance carrier
• Automatic monthly payments (recommended)

Set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a payment and lose coverage.

Special Enrollment Period Coverage Dates

If you're enrolling during a Special Enrollment Period (due to job loss, marriage, birth, etc.), coverage start dates work slightly differently:

Loss of Coverage

If you lost other coverage (job-based insurance, COBRA, Medi-Cal), you have 60 days to enroll in a Special Enrollment Period. Your coverage will start on the 1st of the month following your enrollment. This means there may be a gap between your old coverage ending and new coverage starting, depending on when you apply. The only exception is for newborns—coverage for a new baby starts on the day of birth.

Other Qualifying Events

For other qualifying events (marriage, birth, moving), standard rules apply:

• Enroll within 60 days of the event
• Coverage starts the 1st of the month following enrollment

How to Avoid Coverage Gaps

A coverage gap means going without insurance, which can result in unexpected medical bills and tax penalties. Here's how to avoid gaps:

Losing Employer Coverage

• Know your last day of coverage (usually the last day of the month you lose employment)
• Enroll immediately when you lose coverage—don't wait
• Request backdated coverage to start the day after employer coverage ends

Switching Plans During Open Enrollment

• Your old plan automatically continues until December 31
• New plan starts January 1—no gap
• Make sure you pay the first premium for the new plan by December 23

Missing Payment Deadlines

• Set up automatic payments to avoid missed payments
• If you miss a payment, you typically have a 30-day grace period
• After grace period, coverage terminates and you may not be able to re-enroll until next open enrollment