With the deadline now passed and about $100 million spent on marketing, Covered California attracted nearly 1.4 million state residents to sign up on its health plan exchange, according to final enrollment figures released Thursday.
Enrollment surpassed all base projections, even among Latinos, who stayed away from seeking insurance coverage in the first few months for several reasons, including a slow start in making Spanish-language applications available and a lack of Spanish speaking counselors.
But a decision by Covered California to extend open enrollment for two weeks beyond the original March 31 as well as changing marketing plans may have contributed to a last minute surge, said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.
From April 1 to April 15, 205,685 people completed their applications and selected health plans through the Covered California exchange.
“That is a huge number,” Lee said of the total enrollment figure. “We’re proud those Californians are part of history.”
What remains unknown is if all those who gained insurance were among the 5.5 million in California who were uninsured. Lee said in a morning press conference that a survey to be conducted this summer by an outside group may answer that question.
In addition, 1.9 million people qualified for Medi-Cal, said Toby Douglas, director of the state’s Department of Health Care Services. “With the help of our county partners, Covered California and thousands of concerned citizens and organizations who contributed, we’ve made incredible progress toward our goal in just six short months.”
Nationally, 8 million people signed up for health coverage to comply with the law under the Affordable Care Act that all Americans purchase a health plan, either on their own, through state exchanges or the one run by the federal government.
The Covered California figures also show:
• Of all those who enrolled, 85 percent have been paying their premiums.
• A majority, or 88 percent are eligible for financial subsidies.
• Of the nearly 1.4 million who enrolled, 28 percent or 305,000 were Latinos.
• Enrollment among 18 to 34-year-olds reached 29 percent.
• During the six-month period, 41 percent of all those who enrolled used the Covered California website, while certified insurance agents enrolled 39 percent.
• Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net, and Kaiser Permanente were among the top plans chosen.
Meanwhile, a study released earlier this week by the California HealthCare Foundation found that of 105 people surveyed from Oakland, Bakersfield, Irvine and Los Angeles, many said they were unaware in-person assistance was available. Some also said they were surprised by the amount of documentation needed, according to the study.
Lee said Covered California board members will spend the summer evaluating how the process worked and hoped to improve by the time enrollment opens again in the fall.
