Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage through Covered California begins Nov. 1. The state marketplace’s chief medical officer says families shouldn’t assume they can’t afford coverage, even after federal cuts.

“Free help is available. Don’t suffer in silence,” said Dr. Monica Soni, Covered California’s chief medical officer and a primary care physician. “Come to CoveredCA.com. We will lead you step by step through the rest of the process.”

Soni spoke with The Carson Compass and Inland Valley News about how residents in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties can prepare, what is changing in 2027 and the mistakes that can end up costing families more.

Most Enrollees Won’t See a Higher Premium

This year, enhanced federal tax credits that had lowered monthly premiums for millions of Americans expired. Still, Covered California says most of its members will not see their monthly bills go up.

According to the agency, 60% of enrollees will see no increase in their monthly premium in 2027. Another 26% will remain eligible for $0 premiums without changing plans. The marketplace served about 1.8 million Californians as of March.

“It’s an incredible stat,” Soni said.

Part of the reason is state money. Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature set aside $300 million for 2027, up from $190 million, to help lower-income enrollees. The help is available to households earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level, which is $31,920 for an individual or $66,000 for a family of four.

Once a household qualifies, Soni said, that help is locked in for all of 2027.

Covered California’s average rate increase for 2027 is 9.9%, below the 14% national median. Soni credited the state’s negotiations with insurers.

She said about four out of five enrollees receive some form of financial help. She added that nearly half of new members surveyed say they don’t have enough money to make ends meet, but they are choosing coverage anyway.

“They are prioritizing their health, their coverage, because that is just not an area where they feel like they can gamble,” Soni said. “We don’t want people to have to gamble.”

What to Gather Before You Apply

Soni said preparing starts with a few basic questions. Who in your household needs insurance? Will the coverage you had in 2026 continue? Do you want to apply on your own, or would you rather have someone help you?

Covered California’s enrollment checklist asks applicants to have the following ready:

• Full legal name, date of birth, and home and mailing addresses
• Social Security numbers for everyone applying. People without a Social Security number can still apply.
• Proof of citizenship or lawful presence and, if applicable, immigration documents such as a green card, I-94 or work permit (EAD)
• Household size, tax filing status and an estimate of household income, including self-employment, tips and benefits
• For renewals: current plan name, member ID, doctors and prescriptions

Applicants don’t necessarily need a W-2. Soni said Covered California can verify income in other ways, but applicants do need to be able to estimate what they will earn. For people with irregular work, she recommended doing “a little bit of that mental math in advance.”

She also said people whose immigration status has changed, such as someone who recently received a green card, should have those documents on hand. Federal rule changes have affected eligibility for some lawfully present immigrants.

If you don’t have everything, Covered California says you can start your application, save your progress and come back.

Don’t Shop by Premium Alone

In 2026, Soni said, a “meaningful portion” of enrollees switched from Silver plans to lower-cost Bronze plans after seeing their new premiums.

For some families that made sense. But Soni said people with chronic conditions, monthly prescriptions or regular doctor visits can end up paying more by the end of the year once co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs add up.

“It may not make sense just to chase that lower monthly premium,” she said.

Before renewing, Covered California advises residents not to assume their plan will stay the same. Its Shop and Compare tool asks a few questions, including household size and estimated income, and shows estimated costs and financial help. Users can then search for a specific doctor, clinic or hospital to see which plans include them. Soni said the information is private and doesn’t lock anyone into a plan.

Coverage Means Care, Not Just a Card

Soni pushed back on the idea that insurance does nothing for people who don’t get sick. Preventive care such as cancer screenings, chronic-condition screenings and vaccines comes at no out-of-pocket cost and does not count against the deductible.

Covered California uses standard benefits, so every plan covers the same services. These include mental health care, therapy, psychiatry, substance-use treatment and prescriptions. Plans differ in monthly cost, co-pays and which doctors are in network.

Soni said use of behavioral health services among enrollees has grown, and many people are getting care by phone or video from home.

“Once you commit and you have your insurance, use it,” she said. “Get your value out of that card.”

For Carson Residents

Soni encouraged Carson residents, including working families, seniors, small-business owners and first-time buyers, to talk through their situation before choosing a plan.

“There is, in all likelihood, financial help waiting for you,” she said.

Residents who would rather not apply online can get free, in-person help. Covered California says it has thousands of certified enrollers and agents across the state. Entering a ZIP code at CoveredCA.com/support/find-an-enroller shows those nearby.

“There’s probably someone within five, 10 minutes,” Soni said.

Update Your Income When It Changes

Soni urged anyone whose income rises or falls during the year to update it in their Covered California account right away. There is no limit on how often it can be changed.

A drop in income can mean more financial help. A rise matters too. Under a 2025 federal law, enrollees who receive more help than their final income qualifies them for must now pay back the full difference at tax time. Before, repayment was capped for many households.

“The best thing to do is come in frequently and make those shifts,” Soni said, so families aren’t “negatively surprised by what might be owed back to the government.”

Key Dates

• Oct. 1: Current members can renew or switch plans.
• Nov. 1: Open enrollment begins.
• Dec. 31: Enroll by this date for coverage starting Jan. 1.
• Jan. 31, 2027: Final deadline, for coverage starting Feb. 1.
• After Jan. 31: Special enrollment is available for 60 days after qualifying life events such as losing coverage, moving, or a change in household size.

Four Steps to Enroll

1. Gather your information: IDs, income estimates, immigration documents if applicable, and current plan details.
2. Create an account at CoveredCA.com.
3. Shop and compare: Enter your household size and income, see your estimated financial help, and compare plans by cost, doctors and prescriptions.
4. Confirm and pay: Check that everyone in your household is listed, submit your application, and make your first payment online or wait for the bill.

Free Help

• Online: CoveredCA.com
• Phone: (800) 300-1506, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• In person: CoveredCA.com/support/find-an-enroller