San Diego County Enrollment Figures Through Jan. 31 Released By Covered California And Department Of Health Care Service

[tabular data corrected 3/14/14]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that from Oct. 1, 2013, to Jan. 31, 2014, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 63,846 consumers in San Diego County enrolled in subsidized and non-subsidized Covered California health insurance plans. The new total represents a 41 percent increase from the 45,081 enrollments recorded through Dec. 31.

The four-month total also represents 148 percent of the base projection of 43,051 enrollments Covered California estimated for the region during the entire six-month enrollment period, which ends March 31 (see the table attached).

“The pace of enrollment in San Diego County has been terrific and underscores the pent-up demand from consumers for quality and affordable health insurance to protect themselves and their families,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “But we’re not done. We want to help as many residents as possible get the health care they need and want by enrolling in our exchange.”

Lee pointed to enhanced aspects of Covered California’s customer service as key components in even further building on the enrollment momentum in San Diego County. 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.

Covered California recently launched a targeted, grassroots, on-the-ground strategy in collaboration with its community partners to create face-to-face opportunities for enrollment, particularly in Latino communities.

Since December, the exchange has nearly doubled its advertising campaign targeting Spanish- and English-speaking Latinos, improved its Spanish-language website and informational materials, and increased the number of bilingual Certified Enrollment Counselors and Service Center representatives.

San Diego County represents about 9 percent of the statewide enrollment. The local total includes 54,191 consumers eligible for financial subsidies. The county encompasses Covered California pricing region 19.

For the four-month period, which is two-thirds of the open-enrollment period for 2014 coverage, 728,410 consumers enrolled in plans statewide.

Tables and graphics showing enrollment by metal tier and health insurance plan in each region are available online at: www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/JanRegionalEnrollmentTables.pdf and www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/jan-regionals.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 Four-Month Enrollment Compared
with Six-Month Base Projection

	Base Projection* for 3/31/2014	Total Enrolled (with plan selection) on 1/31/2014	Difference from Base Projection for 3/31/14	Performance as of 1/31/2014 (% of 3/31/14 base projection)
Geographic Regions
Greater Bay Area	89,599	163,512	73,913	182%
Sacramento	28,726	38,507	9,781	134%
Central Coast	32,602	50,985	18,383	156%
Los Angeles	177,602	199,158	20,556	112%
Specific Counties
Fresno	14,500	10,884	(3,616)	75%
Orange	44,392	72,906	28,514	164%
San Diego	43,054	63,846	20,792	148%
San Bernardino**	35,692	24,571	(11,121)	69%
Riverside**	40,377	34,428	(5,949)	85%
Statewide
Total	580,000	728,410	148,410	126%
*Covered California projections based on available information, including CalSIM 1.8 data. **The numbers in the “Total Enrolled,” “Difference” and “Performance” columns for San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been corrected. The correct numbers are shown above.