In response to COVID-19, effective Friday March 20, Covered California opened the health insurance exchance to any eligible uninsured individuals who need health care coverage through the end of June. After selecting a plan, coverage will begin on the first of the following month, which means individuals losing job-based coverage will not have a gap in coverage.
Consumers who sign up through CoveredCA.com may find out that they are eligible for Medi-Cal, which they can enroll in online. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have coverage that is immediately effective.
The Department of Managed Care and the California Department of Insurance will provide guidance to health plans on the special-enrollment period, which will include off-exchange health plans.
All plans offered through Covered California and Medi-Cal provide telehealth options. All medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 is free of charge. (Covered California Press Release, March 20, 2020.)