Covered California Opens Enrollment for 2027 Health Plans

SACRAMENTO – Covered California opened enrollment November 1 for 2027 health insurance, giving residents a chance to sign up, renew coverage, or change plans as California expands financial help and federal rules narrow assistance for some immigrants.

The state’s enrollment announcement sets January 31, 2027, as the end of open enrollment. To have coverage begin January 1, applicants must select a plan by December 31 and pay any required first premium by their insurer’s deadline. People enrolling in January will have coverage beginning February 1.

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, where individuals and families compare private plans and apply for help paying monthly premiums. Plans cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, and preventive services.

The same application checks eligibility for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which provides free or low-cost coverage to qualifying residents and accepts applications year-round.

Covered California plans generally serve California residents who are United States citizens or nationals, or who have a qualifying immigration status. Access to other coverage matters: eligibility for premium-free Medicare hospital coverage, Medi-Cal, or affordable job-based insurance that meets federal benefit standards generally prevents a person from receiving marketplace premium tax credits.

What Changes for 2027

California is expanding its state premium subsidy to eligible households earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, up from 165 percent for 2026. For 2027 coverage, the new ceiling is $31,920 for one person or $66,000 for a family of four. State assistance is available to Covered California enrollees who also meet the federal premium tax credit’s eligibility requirements.

Federal premium tax credits, which lower the monthly insurance bill, remain available to eligible households, generally with incomes from 100 percent through 400 percent of the poverty level. The 2027 income chart puts that upper limit at $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four. The extra federal assistance offered during 2021–2025 expired December 31, 2025; that reduction was already in effect for 2026 coverage.

Average premiums are expected to rise in 2027. In its July rate announcement, Covered California reported proposed average premium increases of 9.9 percent statewide and 10.1 percent in the northern region that includes Sierra and Plumas counties. A household’s actual monthly payment depends on the available plans, ages of those enrolling, and financial help.

A separate federal change takes effect January 1, 2027, for immigrant eligibility for financial assistance. Among immigrant groups, assistance will be limited to lawful permanent residents (green card holders); Cuban and Haitian entrants; and migrants covered by the Compact of Free Association. Other eligibility requirements still apply.

Groups losing assistance include refugees, people granted asylum, people with Temporary Protected Status, and people with work or student visas. Affected residents who remain eligible for Covered California can buy coverage at full price.

Federal “public charge” rules, which assess a person’s likely dependence on public benefits in some immigration cases, also changed this year. For some people seeking entry to the country or a green card, officials may consider health insurance assistance. The California Health and Human Services Agency advises getting advice from a qualified immigration legal services provider before changing benefits.

What to Have Ready

Before applying, gather the information listed in Covered California’s application guidance:

• Names, birth dates, home address, and ZIP code for household members.

• Social Security numbers for applicants who have them, and immigration information for noncitizens applying for coverage.

• Employer information, recent pay records, and an estimate of household income for 2027.

• Federal tax information and details about current insurance or coverage offered through a job.

Include a spouse, registered domestic partner, and tax dependents even when they are not seeking coverage. For financial help, the paper application also calls for the primary tax filer’s Social Security number, even when that person is not seeking coverage.

Estimate income for 2027, including expected work or retirement changes. Covered California will request supporting documents if needed.

How to Apply

Apply or renew at CoveredCA.com, call 800-300-1506, or find free assistance through the local help directory. Current enrollees should update household and income information before comparing plans.

Use Shop and Compare to review plans and financial help. Compare monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs, and confirm that your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions are covered. Once you choose a plan, pay any required first premium to the insurer by its deadline.

For Medi-Cal application help, contact Sierra County Social Services at 530-993-6720. Select a Covered California plan by December 31 for coverage starting January 1.