Covered CA Extends Health Insurance Enrollment Deadline—Last Chance to Avoid Fines!
by KCALImportant Notice
In the United States, you can only apply for health insurance during the Open Enrollment Period, which is only a few months each year. The original deadline was on January 30, 2020. However, for the first time this year, Covered California extended the deadline to April 30, hoping to attract more individuals to enroll in health insurance and to avoid paying the fine.
For those who missed the January deadline, now is your chance to enroll in health insurance for 2020! Regardless of your citizenship status, all California residents can still apply for health insurance as long as they apply by April 30.
Health insurance experts at KCAL would like to remind everyone that getting sick in the U.S. without health insurance is expensive! If you’re not careful and you get injured or severely ill, the medical bills can skyrocket! Especially with the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. As for screening and testing for the virus, including getting x-rays, breathing machines/ventilators, medication, and hospitalization, health insurance can cover those costs once the deductibles are met.
You will get fined if you don't have health insurance!
California law states that in 2020, California residents who do not have health insurance for more than three months will be required to pay a fine when filing taxes in the following year. The penalty is $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, or 2.5% of the annual household income, whichever is higher. So for example, for a family filing taxes together, if neither the husband nor the wife has health insurance, the fine would be $695 + $695, or 5% of their annual income, whichever one is higher.
(opens in new tab)Come to KCAL to get enrolled!
Covered California is extending the health insurance enrollment deadline, so from now until April 30, as long as you provide the required information, you can apply for health insurance. However, there are still fines depending on when you apply so be aware!
| Plan Select | Coverage Effective Date | Subject to Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| By February 29 | March 1 | No |
| By March 31 | April 1 | No |
| On or after April 1 | May 1 | YES—up to 4 months of penalty |
Based on the above chart, if you don’t apply for health insurance by March 31, then you will still have to pay the fine!
**Please note that not all insurance companies participate in this Special Enrollment Period, so make sure to contact your insurance broker for more details on qualifying insurance plans.
Who can enroll in health insurance?
If you missed the Open Enrollment Period for any reason whatsoever and have not enrolled in health insurance yet, this is your time to do so! Any California resident under the age of 65 can purchase health insurance.
With the current situation of the coronavirus, travel insurance companies cannot accept travel insurance applications from those in Level 3 countries. If this applies to you, you are more than welcome to contact us for any questions regarding insurance coverage!
How can you enroll in health insurance?
1. Talk to a representative online
To accommodate to those who prefer consulting online, KCAL has extended their online customer service hours. Click here to chat with a representative online, or you can even chat with a representative on WeChat through our official KCAL account (WeChat ID: KCAL3331111). Get your insurance done online and save the trip of coming to our office!
2. Visit any of our locations
During this time, we will be extending our hours of operation to assist you with any of your insurance needs! Find the branch closest to you and stop by whenever you have time. We take walk-ins and appointments are not necessary! Click here to find all of our locations and hours of operation.
Monday – Friday (9AM-6PM): Hacienda Heights Branch, San Gabriel Branch, Diamond Bar Branch, Irvine Branch, Cerritos Branch
Saturday (9AM-6PM): Hacienda Heights Branch, San Gabriel Branch, Diamond Bar Branch, Irvine Branch
Sunday (9AM-6PM): San Gabriel Branch
3. Contact us at 626-333-1111!
If you’re unable to come to our office in person, no worries! You are always more than welcome to reach us by calling us. However, due to the high amount of walk-ins at our offices, our representatives may not be able to answer your call right away. Rest assured, they will constantly be checking their messages and emails and get back to you in a timely manner.
If you are still in quarantine, please contact us through phone, email, or WeChat. You will still be able to do all the same things while applying for health insurance without leaving your house! This is your last chance to apply for health insurance for 2020 so don’t miss this opportunity!