SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The number of applications completed for Covered California™ has reached more than 10,000 a day. During the week ending Nov. 16, 71,188 applications were completed, with applicants’ eligibility for premium assistance or no-cost or low-cost Medi-Cal determined.
As of Nov. 19, Californians had completed 360,464 health
coverage applications and had their eligibility determined for premium
assistance or no-cost or low-cost Medi-Cal.
“This is a clear indicator that our enrollment system is working, demand for health care coverage is strong, and Californians are embracing the benefits offered by the Affordable Care Act,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.
Of the applications completed, about 39 percent or 135,000
will likely result in Medi-Cal coverage for currently uninsured or underinsured
individuals.
“The tremendous interest in Covered California’s health
coverage options has been a positive influence to motivate those who are
uninsured to take advantage of their new coverage options,” said Toby Douglas, Director
of the Department of Health Care Services. “It is very encouraging to see that
the rate of approvals for Medi-Cal continues to increase.”
The rate of enrollment in Covered California health plans
has also increased. As of Nov. 19, 79,891 Californians had selected a
health plan. Compared with the first week of October, during which about 700
people a day selected a health plan, the enrollment rate nearly quadrupled by
the second week of November, to about 2,700 plan selections per day.
The increase is mirrored by Medi-Cal, both through Covered
California and by applications processed by county health agencies. In October,
county human services agencies processed 270,670 applications, a 30% increase
over the previous month.
In October, Los Angeles County, where pricing regions 15
and 16 are located, had the largest number of enrollments, totaling 6,978,
including subsidy-eligible and nonsubsidized consumers. San Diego County,
Orange County and San Bernardino/Riverside counties followed closely.
Expanded data about those who enrolled during October shows
that 18- to 34-year-olds are applying in direct proportion to California’s
population.
“Not only are we seeing strong enrollment numbers overall, but
enrollment in key demographics like the so-called young invincibles is very
encouraging,” said Lee.
Of the 30,830 individuals who enrolled during October, 22.5
percent, or about 6,900, were between 18 and 34 years old. This group makes up
about 21 percent of the state’s population.
English was by far the predominant language of those who
enrolled during October. Covered California anticipates a more diverse language
mix in the coming months, with greater in-person enrollment, as language-specific
outreach and marketing rolls out in November and December.
“The enrollment numbers so far reflect a tremendous demand
for health insurance, which will only grow stronger as the facts about Covered
California health coverage options spread across California’s diverse
communities of language and culture,” said Lee.
For more details about applications and enrollment, please see
the charts that follow.
As of Nov. 19, 2013, 79,891 individuals have
selected a plan.
Note:
These represent individual application counts for the weekly federal reporting
periods. The numbers are not additive for accumulative purposes due to the
dynamic nature of application status throughout the enrollment cycle (e.g., an
applicant may have changed application status).
[Click on each table below to enlarge]
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in
partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged
with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small
businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage
starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they
are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis
to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost
Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan
that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can
purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees
the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax
credits.
Covered California is an independent part of the state
government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers.
It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature.
For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
About the Department of Health Care Services
The
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works to preserve and improve the physical
and mental health of all Californians. DHCS provides health care services
for more than 8.5 million Californians through Medi-Cal, including medical,
dental, mental health, substance use treatment services and long-term services
and supports. This is accomplished through an investment of approximately
$70 billion annually in public funds for the care of low-income families,
children, pregnant women, seniors and persons with disabilities. DHCS
focuses on delivering quality, effective services primarily through the more
coordinated systems of care provided by 21 Medi-Cal managed care plans located
in all of California’s 58 counties. For more information about DHCS,
please visit www.dhcs.ca.gov.
