Starting on April 12th, 2021, Covered California will have a new Special Enrollment Period which will run through the end of 2021. This new Special Enrollment Period will allow Californians, who will be eligible due to the American Rescue Plan, to apply for health insurance through Covered CA without a traditional qualifying life event. Normally, someone looking for health insurance outside of the Open Enrollment Period (Nov. 1st- Jan. 31st) must have a qualifying life event such as recently lost employer-sponsored coverage, recently married/divorced, recently moved, released from Medi-Cal, or other qualifying life events which must occur within 60 days of applying for health insurance during this Special Enrollment Period.
In 2020, Covered CA had a similar relaxed Special Enrollment Period last through August due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What has changed this year is the new American Rescue Plan which will provide additional health insurance premium assistance through the form of federal advanced premium tax credits or APTC. While a big part of the American Rescue Plan was the $1,400 stimulus checks given out to most Americans, it also included federal premium tax credits to more of America’s middle class (400-600% of the Federal Poverty Level) and additional subsidies for those between 138-400% of the FPL. Members already enrolled through Covered CA will see an average of $119 in additional premium tax credits that will automatically be applied to their May premiums.
Household Size | 600% of FPL |
1 | $76,560 |
2 | $103,440 |
3 | $130,320 |
4 | $157,200 |
5 | $184,080 |
6 | $210,960 |
Subsidy Cutoff |
If you, your family, and/or loved ones fall below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level but are not currently enrolled through Covered CA, it is strongly advised that you review if you qualify for these new subsidies. The new tax credits will be available April 12th and applied May 1st but also applied retroactively back to January 1st (if you enrolled in Covered CA back to January 1st). We will not be able to calculate your new federal premium tax credit until April 12th. You may still qualify for premium assistance before applying for the new American Rescue Plan relief. You can get your free quote by clicking here.
If you have any questions about your health insurance benefits and/or would like an independent health insurance quote, please contact us at info@solidhealthinsurance.com or at 310-909-6135. At Solid Health Insurance Services, we strive to keep our clients informed about their benefits so that they may get the most benefit out of their health plans.