SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ released updated
numbers showing that consumer interest in the agency’s health insurance
marketplace and Medi-Cal remained strong. During the week ending Nov. 16, more
than 476,000 unique visits were made to its website, CoveredCA.com, created jointly with the California Department of Health
Care Services. In
addition, more than 70,000 calls — the largest weekly total to date — were
logged by the Covered California Service Center.
Since open
enrollment began Oct. 1, consumers have been shopping for and comparing health
care coverage through Covered California, where consumers also can determine if
they are eligible to enroll, eligible for subsidies or eligible for Medi-Cal.
The number of
enrollment applications started surged by nearly 60,000, from 276,673 through
Nov. 9 to 334,027 through Nov. 16.
Covered California
will release additional statistical data from October on Thursday, Nov. 21. Total
enrollment for November is scheduled for release in December.
Consumer response to Covered California health insurance plans
has been positive. Here’s a sample of what people are saying through post-application
surveys and social media channels:
“THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have been
denied health insurance for 3 years for a pre-existing condition! THANK YOU! I
can now live again.” —
Anonymous (via preliminary enrollment
application survey)
“I’m signed and covered again — at rates I
got years ago as a corporate employee. What a relief! Thank you Mr. President!”
— Pamela (via Facebook)
“Amazing. Very grateful! First time insured
since 1988 due to affordability. My mother died at 59 years old uninsurable so
this is very important to all Americans.” — Anonymous (via preliminary enrollment application survey)
“Silver plan, adults 45 & 62, we’re looking
at $200/month. Our 11 & 12 kids are Medi-Cal. I can’t WAIT!!! Old job [insurance
cost] $1200/month and we had to decline it.” — Kathy (via Facebook)
“This saved me more than $2,000/year.” — Anonymous (via preliminary enrollment application survey)
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.
