Enrollment in Covered California Health Insurance Plans Surpasses
700K; Large Gains Also Seen in Latino Enrollment and Medi-Cal Enrollment
“These enrollment numbers mean that with six weeks to go,
California has already exceeded its projected base enrollment for the 2014 open-enrollment
period. While this is a strong showing, our goal is not pinned to meeting
projections, but to making sure every Californian gets covered,” said Covered
California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the
California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that as of
Jan. 31, 2014, more than 1.6 million Californians have signed up for either
Covered California health insurance plans or for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal.
Nearly half of those covered — 728,410 Californians — selected a
Covered California health insurance plan. This strong enrollment trend is
extending into February, where in the first two weeks more than 100,000
individuals enrolled in Covered California, increasing the cumulative total
enrollment in Covered California to 828,638.
“These enrollment numbers mean that with six weeks to go,
California has already exceeded its projected base enrollment for the 2014 open-enrollment
period. While this is a strong showing, our goal is not pinned to meeting
projections, but to making sure every Californian gets covered,” said Covered
California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.
Lee also noted that of those enrolled through Jan. 31, 626,210 are
eligible for subsidies, and insurance companies are reporting that 80 percent of
all enrollees have paid their first month’s premium.
Additionally, 877,000 applicants were determined to be likely
eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. DHCS also transitioned 652,000 individuals
into the Medi-Cal program from the state’s Low Income Health Program. Automated
enrollment allowed county human services agencies to enroll 106,000 individuals
into Medi-Cal coverage, and another 65,000 were enrolled through the Express
Lane program.
“This continued high interest in quality coverage from our
Medi-Cal managed care plans is very encouraging,” said Toby Douglas, director
of DHCS noting that approximately 1.6 million additional Californians have
enrolled or been found likely eligible for Medi-Cal since October. “These
innovative ways of getting so many additional people into coverage moves us
that much closer to realizing the department’s vision of improving the health
of all Californians.”
January also saw a significant increase in the number of
Latinos enrolled. For the month of January, Latino enrollment in Covered
California reached 28 percent, compared with a cumulative rate of about 18
percent for October through December. The enrollment rate of Spanish-speaking
Californians increased, representing about 11.5 percent in January, compared with
5 percent during the first three months of open enrollment.
“We had 45,745 Latinos enroll in a single month,” Lee said.
“We’re glad to see increased momentum for enrollment in the Latino communities,
but we still have work to do as we move into the final six weeks before the
March 31 deadline.”
DHCS also reported improved Latino participation among
those found likely to be eligible for Medi-Cal enrollment. The percentage of
Latinos within the applicant pool increased from 32 percent as of Dec. 31 to 38
percent through Jan. 31.
Through Jan. 31, 2014, online applications had been started
for an estimated 3,031,675 individuals seeking coverage. In the month of January,
195,356 individuals enrolled in subsidized or unsubsidized coverage through
Covered California.
Enrollment of young adults 18 to 34 years old is trending
slightly upward, at 26 percent of the consumers who have selected a Covered
California health insurance plan. This age group represents about 25 percent of
the state’s population but approximately 36 percent of those who are eligible
for subsidies.
Most subsidy-eligible consumers who enrolled — 451,074, or about
62 percent — signed up for a Silver plan, the second-lowest-costing plan of the
four plan tiers. About 86 percent of consumers across all 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 92 percent of total enrollment.
In Covered California’s Small Business Health Options
Program (SHOP), 571 small businesses — representing nearly 5,000 employees and
their dependents — have enrolled for coverage.
Consumers are reminded that there are many paths to enroll
in Covered California health insurance plans and in Medi-Cal, including
in-person assistance from thousands of 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.” About 82
percent of consumers said they found the information needed to choose the right
health plan for them.
Here’s a sample of what people are saying through social
media channels in January:
“For the 1st time in 15 years, I have health
insurance without having to go through months of red tape. Thanks @CoveredCA” — Nicole (via Facebook)
“I am signed up and I had a great experience
doing it. I appreciate having insurance offered to me at a price I can now
afford!!! Thanks to our president OBAMA!!!” — Elaine (via Facebook)
“So I had my 1st appointment w/doctor + lab
under #ACA and insurance now processed it.
Services total: $1026; my share: $15. Thankful.” — Ray (via Facebook)
“I've been to the Doctor’s office 3 times.
No cost! Except my $120 (premium) payment for Kaiser! It feels amazing to
finally after nearly a decade have insurance. Thank you Mr. Obama” — Gina (via Facebook)
“Got my ID card. It's official. I have
health care. Thanks @obamacare @CoveredCA
I literally could not have done this without you. #ACA” — Anonymous (via Facebook)
I literally could not have done this without you. #ACA” — Anonymous (via Facebook)
Monthly Enrollment
Statistics
|
Oct. 1 - Jan. 31
|
|
Applications
|
Individuals
|
|
Total number of
electronic applications initiated including Medi-Cal
|
1,684,264
|
3,031,675*
|
Completed
applications through Covered California including Medi-Cal
|
1,222,769
|
2,339,805
|
Individuals
determined to be eligible
for enrollment in Covered California |
1,222,506
|
|
Enrollments in a
Covered California
health plan |
728,410
|
|
Subsidized
enrollments (those eligible for federal premium assistance, cost-sharing
reduction) in a Covered California health plan
|
626,210
|
|
Non-subsidized
enrollments in a Covered California health plan
|
102,200
|
|
Medi-Cal applicants**
(Includes
individuals who are pending,
eligible and conditionally eligible coming in through Covered California) |
877,000
|
|
Medi-Cal
transitions from
Low Income Health Program (LIHP) |
652,000
|
|
* 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 - Jan. 31
|
||
Subsidy-Eligible
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
626,210
|
102,200
|
728,410
|
Age of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to
Jan. 31
Age
|
Subsidy
Eligible
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
|||
Less
Than 18
|
29,940
|
4.8%
|
18,734
|
18.3%
|
48,674
|
6.7%
|
18
to 25
|
68,351
|
10.9%
|
8,322
|
8.1%
|
76,673
|
10.5%
|
26
to 34
|
92,948
|
14.8%
|
19,250
|
18.8%
|
112,198
|
15.4%
|
35
to 44
|
100,185
|
16.0%
|
18,684
|
18.3%
|
118,869
|
16.3%
|
45
to 54
|
155,494
|
24.8%
|
18,676
|
18.3%
|
174,170
|
23.9%
|
55
to 64
|
179,201
|
28.6%
|
18,349
|
18.0%
|
197,550
|
27.1%
|
65
and Older
|
91
|
0.0%
|
185
|
0.2%
|
276
|
0.0%
|
Grand Total
|
626,210
|
102,200
|
728,410
|
|||
Race of Individuals
Enrolled*: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31
Race
|
Subsidy
Eligible
|
Base
Projection for 3/31/2014
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
|||
White
|
184,997
|
38.5%
|
194,000
|
41,951
|
52.1%
|
238,929
|
42.6%
|
Latino
|
107,892
|
22.5%
|
265,000
|
11,943
|
14.8%
|
119,835
|
21.4%
|
Asian
|
114,127
|
23.8%
|
83,000
|
11,893
|
14.8%
|
132,944
|
23.7%
|
Black or
African-American |
11,946
|
2.5%
|
22,000
|
2,318
|
2.9%
|
15,270
|
2.7%
|
Mixed
Race
|
26,003
|
5.4%
|
16,000
|
6,682
|
8.3%
|
34,631
|
6.2%
|
American
Indian
and Alaska Native |
982
|
0.02%
|
56
|
0.01%
|
1,401
|
0.2%
|
|
Native
Hawaiian and
other Pacific Islander |
951
|
0.02%
|
146
|
0.01%
|
1,175
|
0.2%
|
|
Other
|
13,046
|
2.7%
|
2,007
|
2.5%
|
16,396
|
2.9%
|
|
Unknown
Race, Non-Latino
|
20,095
|
4.2%
|
3,546
|
4.4%
|
23,641
|
4.2%
|
|
Grand Total
|
480,039
|
80,542
|
560,581
|
||||
* Excludes 144,188 non-respondents.
Language of Individuals Enrolled*: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31
Language
|
Subsidy
Eligible
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
|||
English
|
471,843
|
82.5%
|
90,338
|
96.8%
|
562,181
|
84.5%
|
Spanish
|
46,282
|
8.1%
|
1,374
|
1.5%
|
47,656
|
7.2%
|
Asian and Pacific
Islander Languages
|
52,650
|
9.2%
|
1,590
|
1.7%
|
54,240
|
8.2%
|
Indo-European
Languages
|
1,494
|
0.3%
|
75
|
0.1%
|
1,569
|
0.2%
|
Grand Total
|
572,269
|
93,377
|
665,646
|
|||
* Excludes 62,764
non-respondents.
Metal Level of
Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31
Metal
Level
|
Subsidy
Eligible
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
|||
Minimum Coverage
|
2,671
|
0.4%
|
5,625
|
5.5%
|
8,296
|
1.1%
|
Bronze
|
132,302
|
21.1%
|
34,515
|
33.8%
|
166,817
|
22.9%
|
Silver
|
421,750
|
67.3%
|
29,324
|
28.7%
|
451,074
|
61.9%
|
Gold
|
37,537
|
6.0%
|
14,696
|
14.4%
|
52,233
|
7.2%
|
Platinum
|
31,950
|
5.1%
|
18,040
|
17.7%
|
49,990
|
6.9%
|
Grand Total
|
626,210
|
102,200
|
728,410
|
|||
Carrier Selected of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to
Jan. 31
Carrier
|
Subsidy
Eligible
|
Unsubsidized
|
Total
|
|||
Anthem
Blue Cross
of California |
191,934
|
30.7%
|
31,696
|
31.0%
|
223,630
|
30.7%
|
Blue
Shield of California
|
182,267
|
29.1%
|
31,379
|
30.7%
|
213,646
|
29.3%
|
Chinese
Community
Health Plan |
7,141
|
1.1%
|
517
|
0.5%
|
7,658
|
1.1%
|
Contra
Costa Health Plan
|
597
|
0.1%
|
71
|
0.1%
|
668
|
0.1%
|
Health
Net (HMO)
|
96,109
|
15.3%
|
7,960
|
7.8%
|
104,069
|
14.3%
|
Health
Net (PPO)
|
13,388
|
2.1%
|
8,464
|
8.3%
|
21,852
|
3.0%
|
Kaiser
Permanente
|
113,791
|
18.2%
|
17,657
|
17.3%
|
131,448
|
18.0%
|
L.A.
Care Health Plan
|
10,253
|
1.6%
|
2,190
|
2.1%
|
12,443
|
1.7%
|
Molina Healthcare
|
3,980
|
0.6%
|
503
|
0.5%
|
4,483
|
0.6%
|
Sharp Health Plan
|
4,741
|
0.8%
|
1,259
|
1.2%
|
6,000
|
0.8%
|
Valley Health Plan
|
688
|
0.1%
|
128
|
0.1%
|
816
|
0.1%
|
Western Health Advantage
|
1,321
|
0.2%
|
376
|
0.4%
|
1,697
|
0.2%
|
Grand Total
|
626,210
|
102,200
|
728,410
|
|||
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 nearly 9.2 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 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.
