News Release

Date Posted

Orange County Enrollment Figures Through Feb. 28 Released by Covered California and Department of Health Care Services

Enrollments Nearly Double Initial Projections

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that from Oct. 1, 2013, to Feb. 28, 2014, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 87,170 consumers in Orange County enrolled in subsidized and non-subsidized Covered California health insurance plans. The new total represents a 19.5 percent increase from the 72,906 enrollments recorded through Jan. 31. An additional 88,305 county residents have been determined likely eligible for Medi-Cal.

The five-month Covered California total also represents 196 percent of the base projection of 44,392 enrollments the agency estimated for the county during the entire six-month enrollment period, which ends March 31 (see the table attached). Enrollment in Medi-Cal is year round.

The impressive pace of enrollments in Orange County is due in part to enhanced aspects of Covered California’s customer service. The agency has increased staff to answer consumer calls, added phone lines, improved its website efficiency, expanded its live Web chat function and upgraded its Spanish-language Web pages. DHCS is continuing its work with counties and Covered California to process the vast number of applications and quickly deliver health coverage to all who are eligible.

Orange County represents about 10 percent of the statewide enrollment. The local total includes 76,038 consumers eligible for financial subsidies. The county encompasses Covered California pricing region 18. For Medi-Cal, the 88,305 likely eligible consumers in Orange County represent nearly 8 percent of all individuals deemed likely eligible for enrollment.

For the five-month period ending Feb. 28, 880,082 consumers enrolled in plans statewide. The total increased to 923,832 through March 9. Covered California also announced on Monday that it had enrolled more than 1 million consumers as of March 14.

Tables and graphics showing enrollment by metal tier and health insurance plan in all regions are available online at www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/regional-stats-feb/Feb_Regional_Tables.pdf and www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/regional-stats-feb/feb_regional_pies_charts.pdf.

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 approximately 9.4 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.

Total Five-Month Enrollment Compared
with Six-Month Base Projection

Base Projection*
for 3/31/2014
Total Enrolled
(with plan selection)
on 2/28/2014
Difference
from
Base Projection
for 3/31/14
Performance
as of 2/28/2014
(% of 3/31/14
base projection)
Geographic Regions
Greater Bay Area
89,599
194,879
105,280
218%
Sacramento
28,726
45,998
17,272
160%
Central Coast
32,602
61,474
28,872
189%
Los Angeles
177,602
241,312
63,710
136%
Specific Counties
Fresno
14,500
13,534
(966)
93%
Orange
44,392
87,170
42,778
196%
San Diego
43,054
76,875
33,821
179%
San Bernardino
35,692
30,584
(5,108)
86%
Riverside
40,377
41,756
1,379
103%
Statewide
Total
580,000
880,082
300,082
152%
*Covered California projections based on available information, including CalSIM 1.8 data.