Strong Enrollment Numbers Released By Covered California And Department Of Health Care Services

Enrollment in Covered California Health Insurance Plans Surpasses 700K; Large Gains Also Seen in Latino Enrollment and Medi-Cal Enrollment

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Covered California

Feb 19, 2014, 02:00 ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Covered California™ and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that as of Jan. 31, 2014, more than 1.6 million Californians have signed up for either Covered California health insurance plans or for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal.

Nearly half of those covered—728,410 Californians—selected a Covered California health insurance plan. This strong enrollment trend is extending into February, where in the first two weeks more than 100,000 individuals enrolled in Covered California, increasing the cumulative total enrollment in Covered California to 828,638.

"These enrollment numbers mean that with six weeks to go, California has already exceeded its projected base enrollment for the 2014 open-enrollment period. While this is a strong showing, our goal is not pinned to meeting projections, but to making sure every Californian gets covered," said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.

Lee also noted that of those enrolled through Jan. 31, 626,210 are eligible for subsidies, and insurance companies are reporting that 80 percent of all enrollees have paid their first month's premium.

Additionally, 877,000 applicants were determined to be likely eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. DHCS also transitioned 652,000 individuals into the Medi-Cal program from the state's Low Income Health Program. Automated enrollment allowed county human services agencies to enroll 106,000 individuals into Medi-Cal coverage, and another 65,000 were enrolled through the Express Lane program.

"This continued high interest in quality coverage from our Medi-Cal managed care plans is very encouraging," said Toby Douglas, director of DHCS, noting that approximately 1.5 million additional Californians have enrolled or been found likely eligible for Medi-Cal since October. "These innovative ways of getting so many additional people into coverage moves us that much closer to realizing the department's vision of improving the health of all Californians."

January also saw a significant increase in the number of Latinos enrolled. For the month of January, Latino enrollment in Covered California reached 28 percent, compared with a cumulative rate of about 18 percent for October through December. The enrollment rate of Spanish-speaking Californians increased, representing about 11.5 percent in January, compared with 5 percent during the first three months of open enrollment.

"We had 45,745 Latinos enroll in a single month," Lee said. "We're glad to see increased momentum for enrollment in the Latino communities, but we still have work to do as we move into the final six weeks before the March 31 deadline."

DHCS also reported improved Latino participation among those found likely to be eligible for Medi-Cal enrollment. The percentage of Latinos within the applicant pool increased from 32 percent as of Dec. 31 to 38 percent through Jan. 31.

Through Jan. 31, 2014, online applications had been started for an estimated 3,031,675 individuals seeking coverage. In the month of January, 195,356 individuals enrolled in subsidized or unsubsidized coverage through Covered California.

Enrollment of young adults 18 to 34 years old is trending slightly upward, at 26 percent of the consumers who have selected a Covered California health insurance plan. This age group represents about 25 percent of the state's population but approximately 36 percent of those who are eligible for subsidies.

Most subsidy-eligible consumers who enrolled—451,074, or about 62 percent—signed up for a Silver plan, the second-lowest-costing plan of the four plan tiers. About 86 percent of consumers across all tiers received some sort of financial assistance.

Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente and Health Net lead the way among plans chosen, collectively reflecting almost 92 percent of total enrollment.

In Covered California's Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), 571 small businesses—representing nearly 5,000 employees and their dependents—have applied for coverage.

Consumers are reminded that there are many paths to enroll in Covered California health insurance plans and in Medi-Cal, including in-person assistance from thousands of Certified Insurance Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and county eligibility workers, as well as self-enrollment online. Consumers can find the nearest in-person assisters by visiting the "Find Local Help" page at CoveredCA.com.

Consumer response to the application process for Covered California and Medi-Cal has been positive. In the first three months, at least 60 percent of those who completed enrollment said it was "easy." About 82 percent of consumers said they found the information needed to choose the right health plan for them.

Here's a sample of what people are saying through social media channels in January:

"For the 1st time in 15 years, I have health insurance without having to go through months of red tape. Thanks @CoveredCA" — Nicole (via Facebook)

"I am signed up and I had a great experience doing it. I appreciate having insurance offered to me at a price I can now afford!!! Thanks to our president OBAMA!!!" — Elaine (via Facebook)

"So I had my 1st appointment w/doctor + lab under #ACA and insurance now processed it. Services total: $1026; my share: $15. Thankful." — Ray (via Facebook)

"I've been to the Doctor's office 3 times. No cost! Except my $120 (premium) payment for Kaiser! It feels amazing to finally after nearly a decade have insurance. Thank you Mr. Obama" — Gina (via Facebook)

"Got my ID card. It's official. I have health care. Thanks @obamacare @CoveredCA
I literally could not have done this without you. #ACA" — Anonymous (via Facebook)

Monthly Enrollment Statistics	Oct. 1 - Jan. 31
	Applications	Individuals
Total number of electronic applications initiated including Medi-Cal	1,684,264	3,031,675^*
Completed applications through Covered California including Medi-Cal	1,222,769	2,339,805
Individuals determined to be eligible for enrollment in Covered California		1,222,506
Enrollments in a Covered California health plan		728,410
Subsidized enrollments (those eligible for federal premium assistance, cost-sharing reduction) in a Covered California health plan		626,210
Non-subsidized enrollments in a Covered California health plan		102,200
Medi-Cal applicants^** (Includes individuals who are pending, eligible and conditionally eligible coming in through Covered California)		877,000
Medi-Cal transitions from Low Income Health Program (LIHP)		652,000
* Estimated, based on an average of 1.8 individuals per application. ** Does not include applicants for current Medi-Cal coverage through county human services agencies. This category may also include some individuals counted in other categories above.

Total Enrollment Oct. 1 - Jan. 31
Subsidy-Eligible	Unsubsidized	Total
626,210	102,200	728,410

Age of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Age	Subsidy Eligible		Unsubsidized		Total
Less Than 18	29,940	4.8%	18,734	18.3%	48,674	6.7%
18 to 25	68,351	10.9%	8,322	8.1%	76,673	10.5%
26 to 34	92,948	14.8%	19,250	18.8%	112,198	15.4%
35 to 44	100,185	16.0%	18,684	18.3%	118,869	16.3%
45 to 54	155,494	24.8%	18,676	18.3%	174,170	23.9%
55 to 64	179,201	28.6%	18,349	18.0%	197,550	27.1%
65 and Older	91	0.0%	185	0.2%	276	0.0%
Grand Total	626,210		102,200		728,410

Race of Individuals Enrolled*: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Race	Subsidy Eligible		Base Projection for 3/31/2014	Unsubsidized		Total
White	184,997	38.5%	194,000	41,951	52.1%	238,929	42.6%
Latino	107,892	22.5%	265,000	11,943	14.8%	119,835	21.4%
Asian	114,127	23.8%	83,000	11,893	14.8%	132,944	23.7%
Black or African-American	11,946	2.5%	22,000	2,318	2.9%	15,270	2.7%
Mixed Race	26,003	5.4%	16,000	6,682	8.3%	34,631	6.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native	982	0.02%		56	0.01%	1,401	0.2%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander	951	0.02%		146	0.01%	1,175	0.2%
Other	13,046	2.7%		2,007	2.5%	16,396	2.9%
Unknown Race, Non-Latino	20,095	4.2%		3,546	4.4%	23,641	4.2%
Grand Total	480,039			80,542		560,581
* Excludes 144,188 non-respondents.

Language of Individuals Enrolled*: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Language	Subsidy Eligible		Unsubsidized		Total
English	471,843	82.5%	90,338	96.8%	562,181	84.5%
Spanish	46,282	8.1%	1,374	1.5%	47,656	7.2%
Asian and Pacific Islander Languages	52,650	9.2%	1,590	1.7%	54,240	8.2%
Indo-European Languages	1,494	0.3%	75	0.1%	1,569	0.2%
Grand Total	572,269		93,377		665,646
* Excludes 62,764 non-respondents.

Metal Level of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Metal Level	Subsidy Eligible		Unsubsidized		Total
Minimum Coverage	2,671	0.4%	5,625	5.5%	8,296	1.1%
Bronze	132,302	21.1%	34,515	33.8%	166,817	22.9%
Silver	421,750	67.3%	29,324	28.7%	451,074	61.9%
Gold	37,537	6.0%	14,696	14.4%	52,233	7.2%
Platinum	31,950	5.1%	18,040	17.7%	49,990	6.9%
Grand Total	626,210		102,200		728,410

Carrier Selected of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Carrier	Subsidy Eligible		Unsubsidized		Total
Anthem Blue Cross of California	191,934	30.7%	31,696	31.0%	223,630	30.7%
Blue Shield of California	182,267	29.1%	31,379	30.7%	213,646	29.3%
Chinese Community Health Plan	7,141	1.1%	517	0.5%	7,658	1.1%
Contra Costa Health Plan	597	0.1%	71	0.1%	668	0.1%
Health Net (HMO)	96,109	15.3%	7,960	7.8%	104,069	14.3%
Health Net (PPO)	13,388	2.1%	8,464	8.3%	21,852	3.0%
Kaiser Permanente	113,791	18.2%	17,657	17.3%	131,448	18.0%
L.A. Care Health Plan	10,253	1.6%	2,190	2.1%	12,443	1.7%
Molina Healthcare	3,980	0.6%	503	0.5%	4,483	0.6%
Sharp Health Plan	4,741	0.8%	1,259	1.2%	6,000	0.8%
Valley Health Plan	688	0.1%	128	0.1%	816	0.1%
Western Health Advantage	1,321	0.2%	376	0.4%	1,697	0.2%
Grand Total	626,210		102,200		728,410

About Covered California
Covered California is the state's marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California's consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

About the Department of Health Care Services
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works to preserve and improve the physical and mental health of all Californians. DHCS provides health care services for more than 8.5 million Californians through Medi-Cal, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use treatment services and long-term services and supports. This is accomplished through an investment of approximately $70 billion annually in public funds for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, seniors and persons with disabilities. DHCS focuses on delivering quality, effective services primarily through the more coordinated systems of care provided by 21 Medi-Cal managed care plans located in all of California's 58 counties. For more information about DHCS, please visit www.dhcs.ca.gov.

SOURCE Covered California