Covered California Launches 2025 Open Enrollment Period with New Health Literacy Campaign
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a significant event held at the historic California State Library, Covered California officially kicked off the 2025 open enrollment period, marking a crucial opportunity for Californians to secure health insurance. Joined by Secretary Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the announcement highlighted the importance of accessible healthcare and the launch of the “Let’s Talk Health” health literacy campaign. This open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, allowing Californians to sign up for, renew, or shop for new health insurance plans.
The Impact of the Affordable Care Act
This year’s open enrollment marks the 12th period under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a landmark legislation that has transformed the healthcare landscape in the United States. The ACA has successfully provided health insurance to tens of millions of Americans, with over 21 million currently enrolled in ACA health plans nationwide. In California alone, more than 5.9 million residents have benefited from Covered California since its inception in 2014, with a record-high of nearly 1.8 million currently enrolled.
Secretary Becerra, a Sacramento native, emphasized the profound impact of the ACA on Californians and Americans alike. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, more people in America have health insurance now than ever before — and the peace of mind that comes with it,” he stated. Notably, for the first time, DACA recipients will also be able to shop for plans in the ACA marketplace starting November 1.
Enhanced Financial Support for 2025
For 2025, all eligible Californians will benefit from increased financial assistance aimed at making healthcare coverage more affordable. Thanks to an enhanced cost-sharing reduction program, Californians will see expanded financial help that lowers out-of-pocket costs. Governor Gavin Newsom remarked, “In California, we are maximizing the Affordable Care Act by providing greater access to coverage and quality care to more Californians.”
The state’s cost-sharing reduction program has been significantly bolstered, with $165 million allocated to assist those with incomes above 200 percent of the federal poverty level. This means that individuals and families can enroll in Enhanced Silver 73 plans with no deductibles and reduced out-of-pocket costs. Those earning below this threshold will continue to receive higher levels of benefits.
Record Low Uninsured Rate
As the open enrollment period begins, California boasts a record-low uninsured rate of 6.4 percent, a remarkable drop from 17.2 percent in 2013. This decline represents the largest percentage point drop for any state during the ACA era. However, despite this progress, over 1.3 million Californians remain uninsured, many of whom qualify for subsidies through Covered California or are eligible for Medi-Cal coverage.
In the greater Sacramento area alone, approximately 125,000 uninsured residents are eligible for financial assistance. Covered California research indicates that 23 percent of current consumers could have a $0 monthly premium in 2025 if they maintain their current plan, with nearly 90 percent of enrollees receiving some form of financial help.
“Let’s Talk Health” Campaign
Recognizing that many Californians lack understanding of health insurance and its benefits, Covered California has launched the “Let’s Talk Health” campaign. This initiative aims to improve health literacy through culturally relevant materials and simplified language, making it easier for consumers to navigate their health insurance options. Partnering with health literacy expert Dr. Dean-David Schillinger from the University of California, San Francisco, Covered California is committed to empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their health coverage.
The campaign also addresses the needs of non-English speakers, as approximately 2 million Californians have limited English proficiency and are more likely to be uninsured. To support these communities, Covered California has created a dedicated “Let’s Talk Health” webpage featuring resources in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Farsi.
Community Engagement Through Libraries
To further extend the reach of its health literacy message, Covered California is collaborating with the California State Library and local libraries throughout the state. Libraries will serve as community hubs for information, hosting educational workshops and providing resources that help consumers understand their health insurance options. Upcoming kickoff events will take place in various locations, including Fresno, Los Angeles, Redding, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Coverage for DACA Recipients
A significant change this year is the eligibility of DACA recipients to enroll in Covered California starting November 1. This new rule, enacted by the Biden-Harris administration, opens the door for approximately 40,000 DACA recipients in California to access health insurance. Covered California will also offer a special enrollment period for these individuals, allowing them to sign up for coverage starting in December.
Easy Access to Coverage
For Californians interested in exploring their health insurance options, Covered California provides a user-friendly website, CoveredCA.com, where consumers can determine their eligibility for financial assistance and compare available plans. Additionally, free and confidential assistance is available through over 14,000 certified agents and community-based organizations across the state, ensuring that help is accessible in various languages.
The deadline for selecting a health plan to ensure coverage for all of 2025 is December 31, making it essential for Californians to act promptly.
About Covered California
Covered California serves as the state’s health insurance marketplace, offering affordable, high-quality insurance options from top insurance companies. It is the only platform where eligible individuals can receive financial assistance to reduce premium costs. As an independent part of the state government, Covered California is dedicated to making the health insurance marketplace work effectively for California’s consumers, overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and legislature. For more information, visit www.CoveredCA.com.