Covered California Open Enrollment 2027: Dates, Deadlines, and What to Know

If you’re shopping for health insurance in California for 2027, the dates on your calendar matter. This guide walks you through every deadline, document, and decision you need to handle during Covered California open enrollment, so you can sign up with confidence and avoid gaps in coverage.

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important facts to know before you start your 2027 application.

• The Covered California open enrollment period for 2027 is available from November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.
• Consumers who want health coverage for all of 2027 should enroll by December 31, 2026, for a January 1, 2027, start date.
• Many Californians may qualify for financial help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs, depending on income, household size, and other eligibility requirements.
• You may still qualify for coverage after January 31, 2027, through a special enrollment period if you experience a qualifying major life change, such as losing job-based health coverage or getting married.
• Medi-Cal enrollment is available year-round for those who qualify, so you don’t have to wait for open enrollment to apply.

When Is Covered California Open Enrollment for 2027?

This is the first question most people ask, so here are the specific dates and deadlines for the upcoming year.

The open enrollment period for 2027 health coverage starts on November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Enroll by December 31, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you enroll in January, coverage starts February 1.

Deadline	What Happens
October 1, 2026	Existing Covered California members can begin reviewing 2027 plans and renewal options
November 1, 2026	Open enrollment begins for new applicants
December 31, 2026	Deadline to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1, 2027
January 31, 2027	Final day of the open enrollment period

Coverage starts on January 1, 2027, for enrollments completed by December 31, 2026. If you select a plan in January 2027 and pay your first premium on time, coverage generally starts February 1, 2027.

If you miss the January 31 deadline, you’ll typically need a qualifying life change to enroll later in 2027. More on that below.

What Is Covered California Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment is the annual window when most Californians can sign up for, renew, or switch individual and family health insurance plans through Covered California without needing a special reason. Enrolling provides options to renew plans, switch plans, or sign up for the first time.

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Eligible residents can shop for private health plans and check whether they qualify for financial help based on income and other eligibility requirements.

During open enrollment, you can:

• Start a new application for Covered California health plans
• Renew an existing health insurance policy and update income or household information
• Compare health plans and switch between metal levels, carriers, or HMO and PPO options

California generally requires residents to have qualifying health coverage, qualify for an exemption, or potentially pay a state tax penalty when filing their state tax return. The open enrollment period gives eligible consumers an opportunity to enroll in coverage.

Enrollment in a Covered California health plan generally requires open enrollment or eligibility for a special enrollment period. Medi-Cal applications are accepted year-round.

Medi-Cal uses the same application as Covered California, but Medi-Cal enrollment isn’t limited to the open enrollment period. Eligible applicants can apply year-round.

Who Can Enroll in Covered California for 2027?

Eligibility depends on personal circumstances, immigration status, income, and access to other coverage. Here are the general rules.

• You must be a California resident and plan to live in the state during the coverage year.
• Covered California is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and many lawfully present immigrants who live in California, subject to current eligibility rules. Some exceptions apply, including for DACA recipients. Covered California verifies citizenship or immigration status electronically when possible and may ask for documentation if it can’t confirm the information.
• You can’t currently be in jail or prison at the time you enroll, except while pending disposition of charges.

If you have access to an employer health plan that’s considered affordable, you may not qualify for financial help through Covered California even if you can technically apply.

The application determines whether each applicant may qualify for a Covered California plan, Medi-Cal, or another available program based on income, household information, and other eligibility rules. A child in the household can often be enrolled on a family plan or may qualify for Medi-Cal separately.

Immigration status rules can be complex. Family members who aren’t applying for coverage don’t have to share immigration information, and the application process is confidential. Eligibility for financial assistance or Medi-Cal is determined through the application process, so it’s worth applying if you’re unsure.

Depending on income and other eligibility requirements, some applicants may qualify for Medi-Cal instead of financial help for a Covered California plan. The application helps determine which program may be available to each household member.

You may also want to read: How to Maximize Your Health Coverage with Covered California

What Do You Need to Enroll in Covered California?

Gather this information before starting your 2027 application online, by phone, or in person with assistance from a licensed agent.

For each person on the application:

• Full legal names, dates of birth, home address, and contact information
• Social Security numbers for people applying for coverage who have them
• Citizenship or immigration information for people applying for coverage
• Any documents Covered California requests if it can’t verify an applicant’s identity, citizenship, or immigration status electronically

Income information to prepare:

• Most recent federal tax return for reference
• Recent pay stubs, profit-and-loss statements, unemployment benefit statements, or Social Security benefit letters
• An estimate of total household income for 2027, since projected yearly income helps determine financial assistance and program eligibility
• Income documents if Covered California can’t verify the household income reported on the application

You should also have details about any current health insurance coverage for household members, including employer plans, COBRA, Medicare, or VA benefits. Employer information matters because it can affect eligibility for financial help through Covered California.

Having your information ready before you apply can make the process smoother, especially close to the December 31, 2026, and January 31, 2027, deadlines. If you need help filling out your application, a licensed agent can help you navigate the process.

How to Compare Covered California Health Plans

Choosing between plans during the 2027 open enrollment period comes down to balancing your monthly budget with how much you expect to use health care.

Covered California uses metal tiers to categorize plans based on cost-sharing:

Metal Tier	Monthly Premium	Out-of-Pocket Costs When You Use Care
Bronze	Lower	Higher deductibles and copays
Silver	Moderate	Balanced, with possible cost-sharing reductions
Gold	Higher	Lower copays and deductibles
Platinum	Highest	Lowest costs at the doctor or pharmacy

When comparing plans, look at:

• Monthly premium after any financial help is applied
• Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for common services like primary care, urgent care, and prescriptions
• The maximum out-of-pocket limit, which caps what you pay for covered in-network services that count toward the limit before the plan pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the plan year

HMO vs. PPO: HMO plans typically require a primary care doctor and referrals for specialists, with most services staying in network. PPO plans often allow more flexibility but may cost more. Check whether your current doctors and hospitals are in-network for any plan you consider.

Covered California health plans include prescription drug coverage, but formularies vary by plan, so check whether your medications are covered. Covered California plans also cover qualifying preventive services, such as certain checkups, vaccines, and screenings, at no cost. If you receive other care during the same visit, normal plan costs may apply to that care.

Can You Get Financial Help With Covered California in 2027?

Many people who apply through Covered California may qualify for some type of financial help, but exact eligibility for 2027 depends on income, household size, location, immigration status, access to other coverage, and current program rules.

The main types of financial help for eligible applicants include:

• Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) that can lower monthly premiums. For 2027, federal premium tax credits are generally available to eligible households with incomes from 100% through 400% of the federal poverty level, subject to other eligibility requirements.
• Cost-sharing reductions that can lower deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for eligible households with incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level when they enroll in an Enhanced Silver plan.
• California premium subsidies for eligible households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level that meet the program’s other requirements.

The same application also determines whether an applicant may qualify for Medi-Cal.

The application uses your projected 2027 household income, tax household, and other eligibility information to determine financial help. Starting in 2027, federal rules also limit financial help for some lawfully present immigrants, so eligibility can depend on immigration status as well as income and household size.

If you’re eligible for a premium tax credit, you can generally use it in advance to lower your monthly premium or claim it when you file your federal tax return. Advance Premium Tax Credits are reconciled at tax time based on your actual annual income. Beginning with the 2026 tax year, people who receive more advance financial help than they qualify for may have to repay the full excess amount because income-based repayment caps no longer apply.

Not everyone will qualify. If you have access to affordable employer coverage or Medicare, you may not be eligible for premium tax credits. Program rules and income thresholds can change, so rely on the most current information from Covered California or a licensed agent when you apply.

Acceptance Insurance can help Californians understand how health insurance costs fit into their overall budget alongside other coverages like auto or renters insurance, so monthly expenses are easier to plan.

What Happens If You Miss the Covered California Deadline?

Missing the January 31, 2027, open enrollment deadline usually means you can’t sign up for or change a Covered California health plan until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

Special enrollment is available after certain qualifying life events. Most events provide a 60-day enrollment window, but deadlines vary. For example, people losing job-based coverage may apply during the 60 days before or after that coverage ends, while people who lose Medi-Cal generally have 90 days after their Medi-Cal coverage ends.

Examples of qualifying life changes:

• You lose employer-sponsored coverage or Medi-Cal coverage.
• You turn 26 and lose eligibility for a parent’s plan.
• You get married, enter a domestic partnership, have a baby, adopt a child, begin foster care, get divorced or legally separated, or experience another qualifying household change.
• You move to California or move within California and your available plan options change.
• You gain citizenship, national status, or lawful presence.
• You lose coverage after leaving active-duty, reserve-duty, or California National Guard service.
• You newly qualify for a health insurance stipend as an eligible app-based driver.
• You experience a qualifying change in financial-help or Medi-Cal eligibility under Covered California’s special enrollment rules.

If you apply and select a plan during special enrollment, your coverage start date depends on the qualifying event, when you enroll, and applicable Covered California rules.

Medi-Cal enrollment is open year-round. Eligibility depends on income and other program requirements, and people can apply at any time. When an applicant is determined eligible, Medi-Cal eligibility generally goes back to the month of application, and limited retroactive coverage may be available in some circumstances.

If you’ve missed open enrollment and don’t have a qualifying life change, start planning for the next open enrollment period. A licensed agent can help you prepare, so you’re ready when the window opens again.

Tips for Getting Ready for 2027 Open Enrollment

A little preparation before November goes a long way. Here’s a quick checklist.

• Review your current plan. Check whether your existing coverage is through Covered California, Medi-Cal, or an employer. Look at what you paid in 2026 and whether your doctors and prescriptions were covered.
• Gather information early. Collect income records, identification, and any requested citizenship or immigration documentation for people who will apply. Make a list of household members, dates of birth, and any current health insurance.
• Think about 2027 health needs. Consider upcoming procedures, ongoing prescriptions, or health care needs. Decide whether a lower-premium Bronze plan or a higher-premium plan with lower out-of-pocket costs may fit your needs.
• Don’t wait until the deadline. Submit your application by the applicable Covered California deadline and allow time to respond if additional information or documentation is requested.

Acceptance Insurance agents in California can help you compare health plans, review budgets, and think about how health insurance fits alongside auto, renters, or other coverage needs.

Get Help Choosing Health Insurance for 2027

Acceptance Insurance offers licensed agents in California who can help you understand your health insurance options, walk you through the 2027 open enrollment calendar, gather needed information, and compare health plans alongside other important coverages like auto, renters, or homeowners insurance. Contact a local Acceptance Insurance office, call 877-405-7102, or start a quote online to get personalized guidance on coverage that may fit your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions about Covered California Open Enrollment 2027

Will My 2027 Covered California Coverage Start Automatically If I’m Already Enrolled?

Many current members are automatically renewed into a 2027 health plan if they take no action, but plan details, premiums, and provider networks may change. Log in around October 2026 to review your renewal notice, compare options, and confirm that your current plan still fits. Keeping income and household information up to date helps keep financial help calculations accurate.

When Will I Get My Health Insurance ID Card for 2027?

After your health plan receives your first premium, the insurer will send your membership ID card and enrollment materials. Timing varies by insurer, and you can use your coverage before the physical ID card arrives. If your card hasn’t arrived close to your coverage start date, contact the insurance company directly or check its online member portal for temporary ID information.

Can I Switch Covered California Health Plans Later in 2027 If My Doctors Leave the Network?

You usually can’t switch midyear unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. A provider leaving a network by itself may not qualify as a special enrollment event. Verify the rules with Covered California or a licensed agent before assuming you can switch, and check networks carefully during open enrollment.

Does Covered California Health Insurance Include Dental or Vision Benefits for 2027?

Covered California health plans include dental and vision benefits for children under 19, except that children’s vision benefits aren’t included with minimum coverage plans. Adults can add a separate family dental plan through Covered California. Adult vision coverage isn’t included in Covered California health plans and can be purchased separately from participating vision insurance companies.