Covered California Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid 

California residents who don’t have an affordable source of health insurance, such as employer coverage, may qualify for Covered California. Depending on your household income, you may be eligible for premium payment assistance through subsidies to further lower the cost. The good news is that your health insurance agent at 877-423-1534 can answer all of your questions for free and walk you through your enrollment. 

It’s a fairly simple process, but you want to know the details and avoid Covered California enrollment mistakes, such as missing deadlines. Check out these Covered California tips for a smooth and error-free process. 

Understanding Covered California Enrollment 

Covered California open enrollment has been made as quick and easy as possible. You just have to keep a few key dates and details in mind so you and your loved ones can avoid coverage gaps. Check out this health coverage guide to see what you need to know about this valuable Golden State program. At Acceptance, we can help you with a beginner’s guide to understanding Covered California, including the following information. 

Key Dates and Deadlines You Can’t Miss 

Open enrollment is from November 1 through January 31 of the following year. This is the time during which every California resident can apply for coverage for the first time or change their current coverage plan. 

There are some situations in which you can apply beyond the open enrollment period if you have a qualifying life event that occurs after the deadline. This extended period is called the Special Enrollment Period, or SEP. Such events that can qualify you for this extension include the loss of a job and healthcare coverage, a move to California or elsewhere within the state, a marriage, or having a baby. 

When any of these or other life-changing situations occur, you have 60 days to apply for new or changed coverage. 

If you don’t have a qualifying life event as an excuse to apply outside the enrollment period, switching or choosing a health plan will have to wait until the next open enrollment. 

Who Qualifies for Covered California? 

All California residents and legal non-residents can get coverage as long as they don’t qualify for Medicare or have affordable employer-sponsored healthcare plan options. 

Furthermore, you can qualify for state-paid subsidies if you have a household income that’s between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. 

Common Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid 

From procrastination to menu choice miscalculations, here are some of the easy-to-make Covered California health insurance errors that you should attempt to dodge when enrolling. 

Waiting Until the Last Minute 

You basically have the entire months of November, December, and January to apply for a Covered California insurance plan. That’s the annual open enrollment period. Sounds like a lot of time, doesn’t it? 

It is, and that can be the problem for some. Those who tend to wait until the last moment to conduct their business might miss the deadline or have only a day or two to address problems in their application or unforeseen complexities. 

Act much sooner, and you’ll have time to clear up issues that might create obstacles. Remember, if you miss the open enrollment deadline, you might have to wait until the following year’s open enrollment to obtain coverage. There are exceptions for qualifying life events, but you can avoid the risk of having an extension request denied by acting early. 

Choosing the Wrong Metal Tier Plan 

When selecting a Covered California insurance plan, you’ll choose from Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze options. The difference is the percentage of co-payment you must make for a claim, and the rate you’ll pay in monthly premiums. 

A Platinum plan pays for 90% of your claim. You’ll only pay 10%. But it will cost you more in monthly premiums. Bronze coverage pays the least — 60% of your claim — but also costs you the least in monthly premiums. Gold and Silver plans fall between these two extremes. 

If you’re young, in good health, and live a relatively risk-free lifestyle, you might consider a Silver or Bronze plan to reduce your premium costs. However, if you think you or other family members might need to use your coverage more frequently, it might be in your best interest to pay more in monthly premiums but have more of your claims covered by your insurer. 

Talk it over with your trusted Acceptance health insurance agent to find the metal tier plan that’s right for you. Making the wrong choice could ding your pocketbook, either monthly or when you need to file a claim. 

Not Reporting Income Accurately 

Covered California was established as part of Obamacare to make healthcare insurance more affordable for those who make too much for Medi-Cal or aren’t old enough for Medicare and who do not have employer insurance. In addition to working with quality insurers to secure the best rates, the state subsidizes the cost of coverage for those with limited financial resources. That’s why your income will be documented on your application form. 

After providing the information required, the state will provide an estimate of what you’ll pay in premiums for your coverage. Make sure you provide accurate income figures because the penalties can be severe if your tax records show a greater annual income than what you reported.  

At the very least, you’ll have to pay back some or all of the subsidy the State of California granted you. This can get very expensive, but it’s also avoidable if you’re honest and careful in your reporting. 

How to Correct Enrollment Errors 

You can be both careful and honest and still make mistakes in the enrollment process. That’s why Covered California has made it as easy as possible to correct your enrollment form whenever necessary in a variety of ways. You can reach out via online resources, phone, or in person. 

Grace Periods and Special Enrollment Options 

Keep an eye on the calendar for Covered California deadlines you wouldn’t want to miss. 

You’ll get a 90-day grace period to pay your monthly premiums before you lose your Covered California coverage. But it’s critical to keep in mind that you don’t have active coverage while your premium is past due. So stay current with your premiums to avoid coverage gaps. 

If you qualify for a special enrollment period — a time to enroll or change your coverage beyond open enrollment — you’ll have 60 days to act on it. One such qualifying life event would be the birth or adoption of a child. When that occurs, you’ll have 60 days after the child has joined the family to request special enrollment. If you miss that date, you must wait for the next open enrollment period. 

Re-Enroll or Update Your Plan With Acceptance Insurance 

Is your Covered California health plan quickly losing relevance? Did you make a mistake that invalidated your coverage? Or do you have qualifying life events that change everything — and you don’t know how to make the critical changes in your coverage? 

Acceptance Insurance has answers to your frequently asked questions. We’ve helped thousands of people obtain and maintain their Covered California coverage. We have Covered California tips to share and an enrollment checklist that will help you quickly and accurately get the plan that fits your family’s needs and budget. 

Get Covered With Confidence — Apply Through Acceptance Today 

While the process was made as simple as possible, it’s still possible to make Covered California enrollment mistakes. Some errors might invalidate your courage or keep you from obtaining maximum subsidies to keep your health insurance costs as low as possible. 

Your Acceptance health insurance agent has been through the process so often that they can quickly, efficiently, and accurately get you enrolled and maximize your health coverage. We’re here to provide insurance help in California. 

Simply reach out to your knowledgeable independent health insurance agent at Acceptance Insurance. Call us at 877-423-1534. This phone call will connect you with an agent who will help you find the right health plan at no cost to you. 

FAQ 

What Happens if I Miss the Covered California Deadline? 

You might be able to enroll beyond the official enrollment period (November 1 – January 31) if you have what’s known as a qualifying event after the deadline. If, for instance, you lose your job (and your healthcare), get married, move to another location in the state, or have a baby, you’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or SEP. Just make sure you apply within 60 days of your qualifying event. 

If you missed the deadline for reasons beyond qualifying events, you might have to wait until the next enrollment period. 

Can I Change My Plan After Enrollment? 

You can if you have a qualifying event. For instance, if you add a child, you might wish to switch from individual coverage to a family plan. And you can always change your coverage during the next annual enrollment period, regardless of the reason. 

What Incomes Qualify for Covered California Subsidies? 

If you have an annual household income of between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, or FPL, you’ll qualify for financial assistance in acquiring coverage. As of 2025, a family of three making just over $26,000 a year is considered to be at the FPL. If that’s your family size, you could make 400% of that amount, or just over $100,000 a year, and receive a subsidy. 

When you provide your income information, Covered California will calculate the cost of your plan based on your ability to pay. 

How Do I Fix a Mistake on My Application? 

Simply go back to your online account at Covered California and make the change.