SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the California
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that 500,108
Californians enrolled for health insurance and selected plans through the end
of 2013 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, while 584,000
applicants were determined likely eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. DHCS also
transitioned 630,000 individuals into the Medi-Cal program from the state’s Low
Income Health Program.
The statistics, reflecting enrollment activity from Oct. 1
through Dec. 31, 2013, show that the demand for health care coverage in
California remains strong. And the preliminary total of enrollments in Covered
California health insurance plans from Oct. 1, 2013, through Jan. 15, 2014, has
increased to more than 625,000, demonstrating continued vigor in the new
insurance marketplace.
“We’re encouraged by the outpouring of interest and
participation in the state insurance exchange,” said Covered California
Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “While our objective is to insure all eligible
Californians over time, independent estimates for Covered California’s subsidy-eligible
enrollment by the March 31 deadline range between 487,000 and 696,000. These
impressive numbers for the first half of open enrollment and the continued
momentum in January tell us we are on track to meeting, if not beating, those
enrollment estimates as we continue to pick up steam.”
Lee noted that of those enrolled so far, 424,936 are eligible
for subsidies.
“We are pleased that Californians
— many for the first time — are getting quality, affordable health insurance to
protect themselves and their families,” Lee added.
Toby Douglas, director of DHCS,
which oversees the Medi-Cal program, said the department expects the high
demand for health care coverage to continue.
“It’s exciting to see that our joint effort is still going
strong and giving more Californians in need a new opportunity for coverage
under Medi-Cal,” said Douglas. “With year-round enrollment for our program, we
look forward to gaining new members throughout 2014 and beyond.”
Douglas noted that the former members of the LIHP program and
members now newly eligible because of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid
expansion will receive high-quality care from Medi-Cal managed care health
plans. The selection of health plans varies by county and includes many of the
health plans offered to those who purchase coverage through Covered California.
From the Oct. 1 launch of the Covered California enrollment
portal through Dec. 31, online applications were started for an estimated 1,993,012 individuals seeking
coverage. In the month of December, 400,096 individuals were enrolled in
subsidized or unsubsidized coverage through Covered California, soaring past
November’s enrollment of 78,377.
Medi-Cal achieved similar numbers in December, with 405,000
applicants found likely eligible for coverage, far more than the 108,000 during
November. For the three-month period October-December, a total of 584,000
applicants were determined to be likely eligible for Medi-Cal through the
enrollment portal.
Enrollees in Covered California health insurance plans who paid their first month’s premium received health care retroactive to Jan. 1, but the enrollment period continues through March 31, so consumers are urged to sign up for coverage in 2014.
“The level of
interest is impressive, but consumers now need to take that crucial step of
paying their plan so their health coverage can take effect,” Lee said. “To help
consumers with this step, we’ve added a section on our website with information
on how to make their payment. We’ve also unveiled bilingual ads reminding
enrollees to pay their premiums.”
The December data
show an improved trend in the number of enrollment and applications among
Latinos.
Of the 395,614 consumers who identified their ethnicity, nearly 20 percent indicated they are of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin. In addition, an estimated 30 percent of consumers who have applied but haven’t selected a health plan self-identified as Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin. This figure compares to the estimate that about 46 percent of subsidy-eligible Californians are Latino.
“We’re in the process of both fine-tuning the way we assess
our enrollment demographics and, more importantly, building on our focus to ensure
that more Latinos apply for and enroll in coverage,” Lee said. “We have much
work to do over the next three months to build on our outreach to this
important population and help those who have applied complete the process.”
Through Dec. 31, 125,033 consumers ages 18 to 34 enrolled
for coverage, or 25 percent of the consumers enrolled. This age group represents
about 25 percent of the state’s population but approximately 36 percent of
those who are eligible for subsidies.
Most consumers — 303,016, or about 61 percent — signed up
for a Silver plan, the second lowest cost of the four plan tiers. About 85 percent
of consumers across all metal tiers received some sort of financial assistance.
Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California,
Kaiser Permanente and Health Net lead the way among plans chosen, collectively
reflecting almost 96 percent of total enrollment.
In Covered California’s Small Business Health Options
Programs (SHOP), more than 289 small businesses have applied for coverage, with
all successfully completing their enrollment. A total of 2,155 employees and
their dependents were provided coverage by their employer.
Consumers also are reminded that there are many paths to
enroll in Covered California health insurance plans and in Medi-Cal, including
in-person enrollment with assistance from thousands of trained Certified
Insurance Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and county eligibility
workers, as well as self-enrollment online. Consumers can find the nearest
in-person assisters by visiting the “Find Local Help” page at CoveredCA.com.
Consumer response to the application process for Covered
California and Medi-Cal has been positive. In the first three months, at least
60 percent of those who completed enrollment said it was “easy.”
“We are seeing heavy consumer activity on both our website and to our Service Center, and that’s a sign of the enormous interest in what we’re doing,” Lee said. “People obviously want health care coverage, so they can have the peace of mind and security they deserve. While many thousands have enrolled and gotten coverage seamlessly, there are undoubtedly Californians who have not had a good experience in getting coverage. We are working to learn and improve as we go forward.”
Here’s a sample of what people are saying through surveys
and social media channels in December:
“Got my ID
card! I just want to say thank you. Of all the many worries in my life, I no
longer have to worry about health coverage. My career has been in a very
unstable field — higher education, and this is a blessing beyond my
expectations.” — Robin (via Facebook)
“I'll be meeting
with my NEW Doctor ... Using my NEW insurance through Covered California!!
Thank You ... SO GRATEFUL!!!” — James
(via Facebook)
“My husband
signed up and is saving $200/month with better coverage!” — Kathy (via Twitter)
“My cousin
told me he enrolled in @CoveredCA. He hasn't had health insurance for the last two
years and he's very happy to have it now.” — Jenya (via Twitter)
“It worked. I
had my 1st doctor’s visit yesterday. Prescriptions transferred. I like my
doctor too. Thank you!” — Pamela (via
Twitter)
Monthly
Enrollment Statistics
|
Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
|
|
Applications
|
Individuals
|
|
Total number of
electronic applications initiated including Medi-Cal
|
1,107,229
|
1,993,012*
|
Completed
applications
through Covered California including Medi-Cal |
771,008
|
1,456,909
|
Individuals
determined to be eligible
for enrollment in Covered California |
730,449
|
|
Enrollments in a
Covered California
health plan
|
500,108
|
|
Subsidized
enrollments (those eligible for federal premium assistance, cost-sharing
reduction) in a Covered California health plan
|
424,936
|
|
Non-subsidized
enrollments in a Covered California health plan
|
75,172
|
|
Medi-Cal applicants**
(Includes
individuals who are pending,
eligible and conditionally eligible coming in through Covered California) |
584,000
|
|
Medi-Cal
transitions from
Low Income Health Program (LIHP) |
630,000
|
|
* Estimated, based on an average of 1.8 individuals
per application.
**
Does not include applicants for current Medi-Cal coverage through county
human services agencies. This category may also include some individuals
counted in other categories above.
|
||
Total Enrollment Oct. 1 - Dec. 31
|
||
Subsidy-Eligible
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
424,936
|
75,172
|
500,108
|
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