The public charge rule changed on September 18, 2026. Individuals applying for a green card or considering future naturalization should confirm whether using subsidized Covered California will impact their immigration application. Immigration officers evaluate an applicant's age, health, income, household status, and record of receiving specific public benefits. Covered California has removed disclosures stating that its coverage is exempt from public charge determinations. Please do not assume your status or rush to cancel your health insurance. Before applying for or renewing Covered California, consult a qualified immigration attorney to review your specific situation.

Yes. Under California law, individual healthcare mandate penalties have been fully reinstated since 2020. If you do not maintain minimum essential coverage, the California Franchise Tax Board will assess a penalty on your individual or household annual state tax return. Currently, the penalty for not having health insurance is at least $950 per adult per year and at least $450 per child under age 18 per year. For example, a family of four could face a minimum penalty of $2,800 per year.

The 2027 Covered California Open Enrollment period runs from November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. Individual health insurance can only be purchased or changed during this annual window, known as the Open Enrollment period. Once Open Enrollment ends, you will not be able to buy or switch individual health insurance plans unless you qualify for a special circumstance.

With 2027 premiums growing at an average of 9.9% and Silver plan deductibles increasing, families face higher costs if pandemic era subsidies expire.

Policyholders can lower costs by switching from PPO to HMO plans, moving to a lower metal tier, or pairing Bronze plans with a Health Savings Account for tax savings.

Contributing to a Traditional IRA also lowers your reported household income, helping you qualify for higher premium subsidies and better coverage.

The 2027 Covered California Open Enrollment period runs from November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

To have your new plan take effect on January 1, 2027, you must complete your application by December 31, 2026. To have your new plan take effect on February 1, 2027, you must complete your application between January 1, 2027, and January 31, 2027.

The 2027 health insurance Open Enrollment period runs from November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. If you miss Open Enrollment, you cannot buy health insurance unless you apply within 60 days of one of the following qualifying life events:

• Adding a child, having a newborn, taking in a foster child, or adopting a child

• Losing minimum essential coverage because an employer stops offering group health insurance for you or your dependents, excluding voluntary COBRA termination

• Losing Medi-Cal coverage due to an increase in household income

• Becoming a permanent resident of California or moving into the state to establish permanent residency

Without an SSN , you cannot apply for most health insurance plans used by U.S. residents. Standard travel insurance often does not cover routine medical needs , and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or pregnancy are frequently excluded. For seniors 65 and older , not having an SSN also means you cannot apply for federal Medicare .

But don’t worry! In this situation, you can contact KCAL Insurance , and we will help you find the best health insurance plan based on your needs and circumstances, ensuring reliable and comprehensive coverage so you can confidently handle all your healthcare challenges.Click here to call KCAL Insurance Agency

The Covered California system connects directly with the IRS, using household size, annual household income from Form 1040, and residential region as primary criteria to calculate health plan premiums and eligible government financial help. U.S. citizens and green card holders whose income meets subsidy qualifications can receive premium assistance and cost sharing reductions.

The following table outlines eligibility for federal government subsidies. If your annual household income meets Federal Poverty Level guidelines, the government provides three distinct types of financial assistance based on your income bracket: Medi-Cal, premium assistance, and cost sharing reductions.

Please prepare your most recent Form 1040 tax return, using lines 2a, 6a, and 11 Adjusted Gross Income as the primary reference.

If you have pay stubs, rental income, interest income, or EDD statements, these can also serve as proof to estimate your total annual income.

If you do not have supporting documentation, you can ask your accountant or employer to provide a signed income statement on your behalf.

If an applicant receives non-taxable Social Security benefits, foreign income earned while living abroad, or tax-exempt interest income, these must also be included to calculate your correct Modified Adjusted Gross Income.

*For specific tax inquiries, please consult your accountant.

If you wish to apply for a subsidized health insurance plan during the Open Enrollment period, you cannot voluntarily cancel Medi-Cal to purchase subsidized coverage.

You must bring your proof of income to your local county office to cancel your Medi-Cal benefits before applying for standard health insurance.

You cannot apply for subsidized health insurance without officially canceling your Medi-Cal coverage. However, if you do not require government subsidies, you can purchase an unsubsidized health plan during Open Enrollment while processing your Medi-Cal cancellation.

Because of ongoing changes from the pandemic, American health insurance underwent significant reforms. Following the signing of the American Rescue Plan, the individual health insurance market in California experienced three major adjustments. First, policyholders who received excess government premium subsidies in 2020 due to higher actual income were no longer required to repay those subsidies during tax filing. Second, Covered California policyholders became eligible to receive increased premium financial assistance. Third, families previously disqualified from premium subsidies due to higher income levels gained the opportunity to reevaluate their eligibility and purchase subsidized, more affordable health insurance plans.

PPO plan premiums continue to rise year after year. If you are in good health and require infrequent doctor visits, switching to an HMO plan can be a practical option to lower your monthly costs.

You can also open and contribute to a Traditional IRA to reduce the household annual income you report when applying for government financial help, which allows you to qualify for higher subsidies, lower your overall premiums, or even upgrade to a plan with better coverage benefits.

If your current doctor does not have a contract with your existing insurance carrier, you can switch to an insurance company that contracts with your physician during the Open Enrollment period.

If your primary care physician only accepts small group employer health plans, and you are a 1099 self employed individual or a business owner, even with as few as two employees, you are welcome to contact KCAL Insurance Agency for a consultation.

When plan benefits are identical within the same coverage tier, selecting an insurance carrier comes down to service quality, brand reputation, and the size of the provider network.

If you prefer convenient care and want to avoid treatment delays caused by network restrictions, Kaiser Permanente is an excellent choice. Its integrated healthcare model, comprehensive system, and fully equipped facilities eliminate the hassle of coordinating between different doctors and facilities.

If your employer offers group health insurance, you and your family members generally cannot receive government premium subsidies through Covered California if the employer plan meets federal affordability standards. If you apply for and receive premium financial assistance while having access to affordable employer coverage, all subsidies received must be repaid to the government during tax filing.

However, if your share of the premium for self only coverage exceeds the federal affordability threshold, or if adding your dependents makes family coverage unaffordable under current regulations, you or your family members may qualify for subsidized individual plans. If you choose to opt out without qualifying for subsidies, you can still purchase an unsubsidized individual plan during Open Enrollment.