Covered California kicked off its open-enrollment period for 2026 coverage on Nov. 1 amid uncertainty surrounding the enhanced premium tax credits that have delivered greater affordability and record enrollment across the nation.

This marks the 13th open-enrollment period under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which since its inception has helped tens of millions of Americans access health insurance, including a record nearly 2 million Californians heading into 2026. Today, more than 24 million Americans are insured through a marketplace plan.

Open enrollment, which runs through Jan. 31, 2026, is when Californians can sign up for, renew or shop for a new health insurance plan. Since 2021, the federal government has helped millions of Americans afford health insurance through enhanced premium tax credits that reduce the cost of monthly premiums. The federal government made premium tax credits for lower-income enrollees more generous and provided tax credits to middle income consumers for the first time, putting money directly back in the pockets of consumers.

Those enhanced tax credits are set to expire at the end of this year without Congressional action and have been the key point of debate in the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Without an extension of the enhanced premium tax credits, monthly premiums are projected to rise by 97 percent on average for more than 1.7 million Californians enrolled and receiving financial assistance through Covered California. This includes more than 160,000 middle-income consumers who currently receive the federal enhanced premium tax credits but would lose eligibility in 2026. Faced with the full premium cost of coverage without financial help, they would be at risk of dropping health insurance.

California Is Taking Steps to Protect the Most Vulnerable From Increasing Costs

In 2025, Gov. Newsom and the California Legislature increased state funding available for the enhanced cost-sharing reduction program, appropriating $165 million to expand eligibility. This allowed Californians with incomes above 200 percent of the federal poverty level to enroll in an Enhanced Silver 73 plan with no deductibles and reduced out-of-pocket costs.

For 2026, the state has allocated $190 million to provide state-funded tax credits for individuals earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. This support will help keep monthly premiums consistent with 2025 levels for those with an annual income of up to $23,475 for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four. It will extend partial additional assistance to those earning up to $25,823 for an individual or $53,048 for a family of four.

While this funding offers a meaningful lifeline for the lowest-income Covered California enrollees, it cannot replace the nearly $2.5 billion in enhanced premium tax credits that Californians receive from the federal government annually. However, if Congress takes action to extend the federal enhanced premium tax credits, Covered California will be able to maintain the current state enhanced benefit program, which would allow most Covered California enrollees to purchase health plans with lower out-of-pocket costs.

Get Help Signing up for Coverage

Enrollment help is always free, confidential, and available in multiple languages through thousands of certified insurance agents and community organizations statewide.

Consumers can learn more about their options at CoveredCA.com. Californians can also:

  • Get free and confidential assistance by phone, in a variety of languages, from 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.
  • Request a call from a certified enroller for personalized help, at no cost.
  • Call Covered California directly at (800) 300 -1506.

To ensure coverage for all of 2026, consumers must select a health plan by Dec. 31.