By Covered California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California kicked off 2025 open enrollment and launched its “Let’s Health Talk” campaign across the state today to reach California’s remaining uninsured.
Open Enrollment – which begins today and runs through Jan. 31, 2025 – is when Californians can sign up for, renew or shop for a new health insurance plan. Over 5.9 million Californians have had health insurance through Covered California since the exchange opened its doors in 2014, including nearly 1.8 million who are currently enrolled.
This is the 12th open-enrollment period under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which has helped provide health insurance to tens of millions of Americans and now features increased and expanded financial help for consumers through the Inflation Reduction Act. California’s enhanced cost-sharing reduction program, which will be available to all Covered California enrollees in 2025, is making health care even more affordable for Californians.
“In California, we are maximizing the Affordable Care Act by providing greater access to coverage and quality care to more Californians,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Reducing out-of-pocket costs for millions of Californians is an important step in creating a healthier California for all.”
Covered California will begin this open enrollment with record-high enrollees and the state’s lowest uninsured rate on record. The “Let’s Talk Health” campaign will focus on health literacy with the goal of simplifying the process of getting covered, removing a known barrier to reaching California’s remaining uninsured.
2025’s Record-Breaking Financial Support for Californians
California’s cost-sharing reduction program has been bolstered for 2025 by Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature, increasing the amount of state funds available for it to $165 million. As a result, all Californians with incomes above 200 percent of the federal poverty level (which is $30,120 for a single person and $62,400 for a family of four) are now eligible to enroll in an Enhanced Silver 73 plan with no deductibles and reduced out-of-pocket costs, while those under 200 percent of the federal poverty level will continue to have access to higher levels of benefits.
In 2024, the program lowered generic drug costs and copays for medical visits and reduced other out-of-pocket costs for over 800,000 Covered California consumers, and now these benefits are available to all enrollees above 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
“With California’s enhanced cost-sharing reduction program, many of our consumers will have more affordable choices, and they should shop and compare to choose the plan that is best for them and their families,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We also want every uninsured Californian to know that we’re working to make health care more affordable and easier to navigate. This change will further reduce financial barriers to accessing health care and simplify the process of shopping for health insurance.”
Uninsured Rate Reaches an All-Time Low, but Over 1.3 million Remain Uninsured
Open enrollment begins with a record-low uninsured rate of 6.4 percent among Californians, according to federal data. Since Covered California’s first open-enrollment period in 2013, California’s uninsured rate has fallen from 17.2 percent to 6.4 percent in 2023, which is the largest percentage point drop for any state in the nation during the Affordable Care Act era.
“Let’s Talk Health” Literacy Campaign
Research shows that many Californians don’t understand what Covered California actually does, how health insurance works or how to maximize their plan benefits. This lack of health literacy can contribute to individuals not signing up for health care coverage.
To promote health literacy and provide consumers with more information, Covered California’s “Let’s Talk Health” campaign includes a suite of new materials that reflect cultural insights and more simplified language to demystify health insurance and provide information to consumers who have questions about the basics.
“We want to simplify the complex and confusing so everyone can speak the language of health — regardless of their language, ethnicity, geography or income,” Altman said. “This understanding will help all consumers feel empowered to enroll and start using their coverage.”
Subsequently, Covered California has also launched a “Let’s Talk Health” webpage with resources in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, Vietnamese and Farsi to provide consumers a digital information option.
Signing Up for Coverage Is Easy
Consumers can learn more about their options by visiting CoveredCA.com, where they can easily find out if they qualify for financial help and see the coverage options in their area. Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also:
- Get free and confidential assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from one of more than 14,000 certified agents and community-based organizations throughout the state that provide free, confidential help in whatever language or dialect consumers prefer.
- Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.
- Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
The deadline to select a health plan and have coverage for all of 2025 is Dec. 31.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace 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.
