News Release

Date Posted

Covered California Releases Enrollment Data for the Central Coast Area

Data Continue to Show Strong Consumer Demand for Coverage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The six-county Central Coast had 30,509 consumers select an insurance plan through Covered California from Nov. 15, 2014, to Feb. 22, 2015.

The Central Coast counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura represent about 6.4 percent of new enrollment statewide, which totaled 495,073 over the same period. These counties represent Covered California pricing regions 9 and 12.


Covered California is offering a special-enrollment opportunity for consumers who did not know or understand there was a tax penalty for being uninsured in 2014 or who learned they may face a penalty for 2015. Consumers have until April 30, 2015, to apply for health coverage during special enrollment by attesting that they did not realize there was a tax penalty.

To attest to this fact, they can select “Informed of Tax Penalty Risk” when filling out an application at CoveredCA.com.

Although open enrollment has ended, consumers who experience a qualifying life event can still gain health insurance coverage through special enrollment in 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.

Enrollment data by metal level and by insurance carrier for these regions are included in the following charts.

Enrollment by Pricing Region*
Pricing Region
First Open Enrollment
Second Open Enrollment
9   Monterey Coast
33,715
2.4%
9,879
2.0%
12 Central Coast
61,784
4.4%
20,630
4.2%


Region 9 — Monterey Coast
Metal Level of Individuals Enrolled*
Metal Level
First Open Enrollment
Second Open Enrollment
Minimum Coverage
286
0.8%
74
0.7%
Bronze
9,409
27.9%
4,247
43.0%
Silver
21,210
62.9%
4,999
50.6%
Gold
1,780
5.3%
366
3.7%
Platinum
1,030
3.1%
193
2.0%
Total
33,715
100.0%
9,879
100.0%
Carrier Selected of Individuals Enrolled*
Carrier
First Open Enrollment
Second Open Enrollment
Anthem Blue Cross of California
20,852
61.9%
7,060
71.5%
Blue Shield of California
9,996
29.7%
2,664
27.0%
Health Net
2,850
8.5%
155
1.6%
Total
33,698
100.0%
9,879
100.0%
* Data include individuals who finished their applications and selected plans through Feb. 22, 2015.
  Regional breakouts may not add up to statewide totals due to data reconciliations in process.


 Region 12 — Central Coast
Metal Level of Individuals Enrolled*
Metal Level
First Open Enrollment
Second Open Enrollment
Minimum Coverage
654
1.1%
256
1.2%
Bronze
18,011
29.2%
7,559
36.6%
Silver
37,288
60.4%
11,300
54.8%
Gold
3,404
5.5%
971
4.7%
Platinum
2,427
3.9%
543
2.6%
Total
61,784
100.0%
20,629
100.0%
Carrier Selected of Individuals Enrolled*
Carrier
First Open Enrollment
Second Open Enrollment
Anthem Blue Cross of California
30,291
49.1%
11,349
55.0%
Blue Shield of California
26,650
43.2%
6,177
29.9%
Kaiser Permanente
4,734
7.7%
3,103
15.0%
Total
61,675
100.0%
20,629
100.0%
* Data include individuals who finished their applications and selected plans through Feb. 22, 2015.
  Regional breakouts may not add up to statewide totals due to data reconciliations in process.

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. 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 about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.