Covered California announces new special enrollment period through the end of 2020

In an effort to help Californians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing recession, and those who have been impacted by the wildfires burning across the state, Covered California^® has announced a new special enrollment period (SEP). Qualifying member clients will be eligible for this new SEP Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, on-exchange.

Consumers who experience any of the following may be eligible to sign up for coverage:

• Job loss due to the pandemic (even if they do not receive health care coverage through their employer)
• Loss of income due to the recession
• Victims of the California widlfires

All other qualifying life events outside of open enrollment (i.e. birth, adoption, marriage, loss of dependent status, etc.) will remain the same under the standard special enrollment period. Please refer to our website for the full list of standard qualifying life events.

First-of-the-month start date

Under the new SEP, coverage will begin on the first of the following month. The following effective dates will apply.

State tax penalty information

In California, having health care coverage is the law. Californians who applied for 2020 health care coverage after March 31 must pay a coverage-gap, state tax penalty. Find out if your client qualifies for an exemption with Covered California or the California Franchise Tax Board.

Get a quote

Get a quote for a client and have them apply online or through Covered California’s website if they qualify for financial help. Your clients who are currently enrolled off-exchange may be eligible to switch to Covered California, keep their same Sharp Health Plan coverage and get financial help. Please contact our IFP Sales Team for further assistance.

Key selling points for our individual and family plans

• Now more than ever, it’s important to have access to the best care. In addition to having some of the lowest rates in the region, Sharp Health Plan continues to be recognized in California and nationally for their affordable, high-quality care and service.
• Sharp Health Plan provides affordable access to Sharp HealthCare through Covered California, including Sharp Community Medical Group (SCMG), Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group and all Sharp hospitals.
• Sharp Health Plan reduced rates across their Platinum, Gold and Silver tier plans for 2020, with significant savings on their Silver tier plans both on- and off-exchange.
• Sharp Health Plan’s Silver 70 HMO Performance Plan is now available off-exchange.
• Sharp Health Plan’s average rate reduction (-8.3%) was the largest decrease in the region among carriers on Covered California, with select plans reduced up to 15%.