Covered California Enrollments for Greater San Francisco Bay Area More Than Triple Initial Projections

Enrollment Data for All Counties Now Available

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The nine-county greater San Francisco Bay Area had 289,021 consumers enrolled in subsidized and non-subsidized Covered California health insurance plans from Oct. 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014*, Covered California™ and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today. The new total for health insurance enrollments under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act represents a 48 percent increase from the 194,879 enrollments recorded through Feb. 28.

“Residents in the greater Bay Area were energized by the opportunity to protect themselves and their families by obtaining health insurance through our exchange,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Their enthusiasm never wavered in the closing weeks, as evidenced by the nine-county area representing nearly a quarter of enrollment statewide.”

The six-month Covered California total also represents 323 percent of the base projection of 89,599 enrollments the agency estimated for the region during the entire six-month open-enrollment period (see the table below).

Although open enrollment has ended, consumers who experience a qualifying life event can still enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California.

Qualifying life events include losing health coverage through a job, getting married or entering into a domestic partnership, having or adopting a child, changing where a person permanently lives or gaining citizenship. For a list of common types of qualifying events, visit www.CoveredCA.com.

The next open-enrollment period will be in the fall of 2014. Also, Californians can enroll in Medi-Cal year-round.

The greater Bay Area counties of San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Solano represent about 21 percent of the statewide enrollment. The local total includes 242,639 consumers eligible for financial subsidies. These counties encompass Covered California pricing regions 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

For the six-month open-enrollment period that ended March 31*, 1,395,929 consumers enrolled in plans statewide. The total increased 58.6 percent from the 880,082 consumers who enrolled by the end of Feb. 28. Covered California reached 1 million consumers enrolled on March 14.

Tables and graphics showing enrollment in Covered California health insurance plans by county and by metal tier and health insurance company in all regions are available online at www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/regional-stats-march/March_RegionalEnrollmentTables_forWeb_ss.pdf and www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/regional-stats-march/march-regionals-graphics.pdf.

* Enrollment data include individuals who finished their applications and selected plans through April 15, 2014.

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 Six-Month Enrollment Compared
with Six-Month Base Projection

	Base Projection** for 3/31/2014	Total Enrolled (with plan selection) by 3/31/2014*	Difference from base projection for 3/31/14	Performance as of 3/31/2014* (% of 3/31/14 base projection)
Geographic Regions
Greater Bay Area	89,599	289,021	199,422	323%
Sacramento	28,726	69,540	40,814	242%
Central Coast	32,602	95,499	62,897	293%
Los Angeles	177,602	400,889	223,287	226%
Specific Counties
Fresno	14,500	23,164	8,664	160%
Orange	44,392	131,804	87,412	297%
San Diego	43,054	121,900	78,846	283%
San Bernardino	35,692	53,623	17,931	150%
Riverside	40,377	69,348	28,971	172%
Statewide
Total	580,000	1,395,929	815,929	241%
* Data include individuals who finished their applications and selected plans through April 15, 2014. ** Covered California projections based on available information, including CalSIM 1.8 data.