For those of you who are already enrolled in a healthcare plan through Covered California, as well as those who wish to enroll for the first time, pay attention to this important date. On November 1, Open Enrollment begins. Now is the time to analyze your budget and ask yourself about your priorities in a healthcare plan, so that you’re ready to conduct some comparison shopping next month.

First, let’s review what you can do during Open Enrollment:

Enroll in a new plan. Those of you who are not yet covered by a healthcare plan can enroll for the first time during Open Enrollment.

Compare your current plan, and choose a different one if desired. Everyone should review their current plan to discover whether any changes will be made that affect you. For example, if your network is changing or covered drugs have been dropped from the plan’s formulary, you might wish to switch to a healthcare plan that better suits your needs.

Even those who feel satisfied with their current plan should engage in a bit of comparison. You won’t know if a better deal is out there, unless you look!

Apply for a subsidy. If you need help with the cost of your healthcare premiums, apply for a subsidy. These tax credits apply to those with incomes between 128 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. A subsidy can help you to afford a healthcare plan or even upgrade into a higher tier plan that you might not otherwise choose.

Renew your subsidy. If you’re already receiving a subsidy, you should log onto the Covered California portal to update your information. Taking this step ensures that your subsidy is calculated correctly.

Enroll in Medi-Cal. Those whose annual incomes fall below 128 percent of the federal poverty level can enroll in Medi-Cal (Medicaid in California).

Open Enrollment will begin November 1, 2021, and run through January 31, 2022. However, if you wish for your new healthcare coverage to start on January 1, make sure you enroll by December 15. If you have any questions about Covered California, don’t hesitate to contact our office and we’ll be happy to assist you.