Covered California and Department of Health Care Services
Sign Up More Than 3 Million Consumers During Historic First Open-Enrollment
Period
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Crediting the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act, Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee told
two congressional panels today that more
than 3 million California consumers enrolled in health insurance plans or in
Medi-Cal by March 31, the end of the first open-enrollment period.
“I sit before you today proud of what we have accomplished
as a state and as a nation,” Lee said during testimony at a joint hearing of
the U.S. House Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory
Affairs and Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements. “For
the first time in our history, health care is now a right and not a privilege.”
Enrollment in Covered California private health insurance
plans hit 1,221,727 through March 31. In fact, March was the highest single
month of enrollment, with more than 416,000 people signing up for a health
insurance plan.
Lee said enhanced outreach boosted enrollment among Latinos
and among Californians 18-34 years old. Additionally, Covered California more
than doubled the base projection for Asian enrollment and has met the base
projection for African-American enrollment.
“March was a very good month for the enrollment of young adults and Latinos,” Lee said before his congressional testimony. “The 18-34 segment of the March enrollment accounted for 32.1 percent of the total, improving that demographic cumulative total from 26.5 to 28.2 percent.” In fact, the 344,000 young adults who have selected a plan put enrollment for this group at 162 percent of the base projection of 212,000.
Lee also stated, “We had 36 percent Latino enrollment in
March, pushing our cumulative total among that demographic from 22 to 26.3
percent.” From the end of February to the end of March, Latino enrollment
surged 65 percent from 153,000 to 252,000. However, Latino enrollment should
reach 265,000 by April 15, the base projection.
Medi-Cal enrolled approximately 1.9 million people through the
end of March, including 1.1 million through the Covered California portal and
county offices, approximately 650,000 former Low Income Health Program (LIHP)
members who were transitioned to Medi-Cal by the California Department of
Health Care Services (DHCS) and 180,000 individuals who applied through the
state’s Express Lane program.
“The enrollment success we’ve seen is happening because
Californians across the state committed to help expand health coverage
opportunities to more individuals than ever before,” said DHCS Director Toby
Douglas. “We owe them a great debt, and we are excited to build on this success
as we continue working to make California a healthier place with the year-round
enrollment of Medi-Cal.”
Lee noted that with Covered California’s decision allowing
consumers who had difficulty accessing the enrollment portal on March 31 to now
complete their applications by April 15, the final enrollment number for Covered
California health insurance plans and for Medi-Cal enrollment will certainly be
higher.
Lee praised partnerships with other state departments,
including DHCS, which oversees Medi-Cal, and the two entities that regulate the
insurance industry in California, the California Department of Managed Health
Care and the California Department of Insurance.
A few more highlights:
- Health insurance companies report that more than 85 percent of those who enrolled are paying their premium and getting coverage. If that trend continues, more than 1 million Californians are on their way to coverage through Covered California.
- At the end of this first open-enrollment period, 4.3 million people had completed their applications for health coverage.
- On the final day of open enrollment, a record 117,421 online accounts were created, there were 765,764 unique visitors to CoveredCA.com, and the total call volume to the Covered California Service Center was approximately 17,700.
- From March 24 to March 31, approximately 500,000 accounts were created.
Consumers who were unable to start their online
application because of technical difficulties can contact Covered California
Service Center representatives, Covered California Certified Enrollment
Counselors, Covered California Certified Insurance Agents, Certified Plan-Based
Enrollers and county eligibility workers to help them finish their enrollment.
They can simply explain that they attempted to get through on March 31 but
experienced difficulties. Those consumers will have until 11:59 p.m. on April
15 to work with the assister, complete their applications and choose a plan.
Although the open-enrollment
deadline has passed for Covered California health insurance plans, enrollment
in Medi-Cal continues year-round. Individuals who would like their eligibility
determined for low-cost/no-cost Medi-Cal can apply at www.CoveredCA.com.
“The Affordable Care Act is making fundamental changes to
our health care system and improving the lives of millions of people,” Lee said
during the congressional hearing. “This
new era of health care has already provided life-saving treatments for some,
has changed lives for others and has given people the priceless peace of mind
and security that they deserve.”
The full text of
Lee’s testimony can be found online at http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lee-CA.pdf. Enrollment details presented through Lee’s
testimony are attached at the end of this press release.
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.
