Covered California gives some consumers, agents a ‘break’ with early deadline extension

Covered California is giving some consumers a few more days to sign up for health coverage that starts Jan. 1.

Officials explained that this new window is meant to help out people who started an application by Monday at midnight, the original deadline. Consumers now have until Dec. 21 at midnight to finish their application on CoveredCA.com.

According to officials, the extension is due to a high volume of Californians still wanting to enroll.

Nearly 300,000 people submitted applications in the first weeks of the second open enrollment period that started Nov. 15. During the first enrollment period, about 1.2 million Californians signed up for coverage. Officials have expressed their goal to increase that number to 1.7 million.

For certified insurance agents in Merced County, this six-day extension is a big help.

Alejandro Hernandez, an agent in Merced, said the additional time will allow him to fit in more appointments at his 1717 M St. office in Merced. As of Tuesday, he estimates he’s helped enroll about 250 members during the second open enrollment period.

“(Monday) I received about 27 calls from people who wanted to come into the office,” Hernandez said. “Even working the fastest I can, that’s a lot of members to handle in one day.

“It can become very stressful,” he added. “These extra days are giving us a big break.”

Hernandez said that there’s been some confusion among consumers regarding the final enrollment deadline. “People came in here worried that (Monday) was the last day to enroll, but that’s only for coverage that starts Jan. 1,” he said.

People have until Feb. 15 to sign up for coverage. Those who enroll between Dec. 21 and Feb. 15 typically receive coverage about a month after enrolling, Hernandez explained.

Hernandez encouraged people who are still looking to enroll to make an appointment as soon as possible. “Please do not wait until Sunday,” he said.

Celiflora Thompson, a Merced agent with an office at 3763 Morning Dove Ave., said she had been busy through Monday. However, things were a bit slower on Tuesday, she said, possibly because of the extension.

The Covered California website, which caused many enrollment counselors and agents frustration last year due to hiccups, has been running a lot smoother this time around, according to Thompson.

“It kicked me out a couple of times (Monday) night, but for the most part it’s working fine … a lot better than last year,” she said.

Certified insurance agents will provide assistance at enrollment events on Jan. 30 and Feb. 12 at the Merced Senior Community Center at 755 W. 15th St.

This story was originally published December 16, 2014 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Covered California gives some consumers, agents a ‘break’ with early deadline extension."