‘Covered California’ extends healthcare enrollment window

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Covered California announced on Wednesday that those looking for health insurance through the state-operated marketplace now have until midnight of Feb. 9, 2024, to enroll.

The previous deadline was set for the end of January, but due to increased demand and recent difficulty getting ahold of Covered California representatives, the open-enrollment period has been extended explained Covered California in a press release.

“We’ve seen record-breaking enrollment nationally, and Covered California is surging with heightened demand,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We want any Californian who needs health insurance to have the opportunity to get covered for the rest of 2024, and extending the open-enrollment period will ensure they have the time they need.”

According to Covered California, one of its service centers had to be temporarily taken offline due to a cybersecurity incident affecting a third-party vendor that supports its phone lines.

There is no indication that any personal information was compromised and the incident was limited to Covered California's telephone system detail Covered California.

You can enroll by visiting Covered California's website here or by calling the Covered California service center at 800-300-1506.

Assistance is available for those who qualify and coverage has been recently expanded to accommodate more people than before in California.

As News Channel 3 reported as enrollment opened last year, almost 80,000 people in Riverside County are without health insurance. So Covered California is now looking to help those people find a plan that works for them through the 2024 open enrollment.

Until the deadline, anyone in need can apply for health insurance through Covered California. The organization says options are more affordable than ever with some plans just $10 or less per month.

"It's so important if you are one of those people or you know and love one of those people that now is the time to think about coverage and take time to explore what options are available to you and your family," said Jessica Altman, executive director for Covered California, as enrollment opened.

Altman added, "People are always surprised that it is within reach. It's more affordable than they think it is and that it is for them. Covered California has no income limit. We do offer financial assistance, so the more you need the more you get."

For more information about open enrollment, visit www.coveredca.com.