More Than a Quarter of Enrollees Coming from Los Angeles
Area
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the California
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that from Oct. 1 to Dec.
31, an estimated 132,209 consumers in Los Angeles County enrolled in subsidized
and unsubsidized Covered California health insurance plans.
The three-month total represents 74 percent of the base projection
of 177,602 Covered California estimated for the county during the entire
six-month enrollment period, which ends March 31(see the table attached).
“We’re pleased by the enthusiastic response consumers in
Los Angeles County have shown in wanting quality and affordable health care to
protect their families,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee
said. “It is the most populous county in the most populous state in the
country, so we cannot understate the importance of strong Covered California
enrollment within Los Angeles County.”
On Jan. 21, Covered California released statistics showing that
500,108 consumers statewide enrolled for health insurance and selected plans
through the end of 2013. Another 584,000 applicants statewide were determined
to be 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.
Los Angeles
County, which encompasses Covered California pricing regions 15 and 16,
represents 26 percent of the 500,108 consumers enrolled. The county makes up 31
percent of those eligible statewide to enroll in the Covered California health
insurance marketplace.
Also for the three-month period ending Dec. 31, 2013, 188,122
applications were started in Los Angeles County, which could cover 338,620*
individuals upon their successful enrollment in Covered California or Medi-Cal.
Other highlights for Los Angeles County in Covered
California enrollment figures:
- A total of 110,836 enrollees, or 84 percent, are eligible for financial subsidies.
- A total of 123,161 consumers, or 93 percent, chose one of the four health insurance carriers that have traditionally been the largest in the individual market: Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Kaiser Permanente and Health Net.
- For the individuals who were eligible for subsidies, the great majority (69 percent) selected the Silver level of benefits, which is the level at which the federal premium assistance is targeted. Those who are not eligible for subsidies were more likely to buy across the spectrum of levels of coverage.
- The figures on enrollment do not reflect whether individuals have paid their premiums or started coverage. This information will be available in future reporting.
Lee pointed out that consumers can continue enrolling in
Covered California plans through the open enrollment period that ends March 31,
2014. Medi-Cal enrollment is continuous throughout the year.
Lee also reminded consumers of the many paths they can take
to enroll in Covered California health insurance plans and in Medi-Cal,
including meeting in person with thousands of trained Certified Insurance
Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and county eligibility workers, who can
provide assistance with completing applications. Spanish-language assistance is
available online at www.CoveredCA.com/espanol.
Both the English and Spanish Covered California websites
can locate the nearest person who can provide assistance. Additionally,
self-enrollment is available online, and enrollment can be completed over the
phone by calling Covered California’s Service Center at (800) 300-1506.
Tables and graphics showing enrollment by metal tier and
health insurance plan in each region are available online at https://www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/regional-stats-dec/dec-regionals-all.pdf
and https://www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/regional-stats-dec/RegionalEnrollmentTables.pdf.
* The total of individuals is an
estimate based on an average of 1.8 individuals per application.
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.
Total Three-Month Enrollment Compared
with Six-Month Base Projection
with Six-Month Base Projection
Base
Projection*
for 3/31/2014 |
Total Enrolled
(with plan selection) on 12/31/2013 |
Difference
from Base Projection for 3/31/14 |
Performance
to date (% of 3/31/14 base projection) |
|
Geographic Region
|
||||
Greater Bay Area
|
89,599
|
116,635
|
27,036
|
130%
|
Sacramento
|
28,726
|
27,227
|
(1,499)
|
95%
|
Central Coast
|
32,602
|
35,301
|
2,699
|
108%
|
Los Angeles
|
177,602
|
132,209
|
(45,393)
|
74%
|
Specific
Counties
|
||||
Fresno
|
14,500
|
6,748
|
(7,752)
|
47%
|
Orange
|
44,392
|
50,016
|
5,624
|
113%
|
San Diego
|
43,054
|
45,081
|
2,027
|
105%
|
San Bernardino
|
35,692
|
16,057
|
(19,635)
|
45%
|
Riverside
|
40,377
|
23,417
|
(16,960)
|
58%
|
Statewide
|
||||
Total
|
580,000
|
500,108
|
(79,892)
|
86%
|
*Covered California
projections based on available information, including CalSIM 1.8 data.
|
||||
