Covered California Open Enrollment 2027: State Money on Top of Federal Help — Enroll by December 31 for January 1 Coverage

Covered California open enrollment for 2027 opens November 1, 2026 — days from now — and closes January 31, 2027. One date matters most: enroll by December 31 and your plan starts January 1. Enroll in January and your plan starts February 1.

This year there is extra money on the table. California is putting its own subsidy on top of the federal help — and it only reaches people who apply.

The dates

• Open enrollment: November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
• Enroll by December 31 for a plan that starts January 1. Enroll in January for a plan starting February 1.
• Already enrolled? You can renew or switch starting October 1, 2026.
• Outside the window you generally need a qualifying life event (losing coverage, a baby, a move) to enroll.

The California state subsidy — the part most people miss

For 2027, California appropriated $300 million to its State Subsidy Program. It is open to households with incomes up to 200% of the poverty line — $31,920 for one person, $66,000 for a family of four — and it stacks on top of federal premium help.

Covered California projects more than 500,000 people will get the state subsidy, and that nearly 200,000 people can choose a Silver plan with a $0 premium. $0 premiums depend on the plan you pick — they are not automatic for everyone under 200%.

Medi-Cal or Covered California? One application sorts it

The same application decides which program you land in:

• Adults up to 138% of poverty ($22,025/yr for one person, $45,540 for four) → Medi-Cal.
• Children up to 266% — and in Santa Clara County, kids can stay in the C-CHIP program up to 322% — so children often qualify for coverage even when the adults buy a marketplace plan.
• Pregnant? Medi-Cal covers pregnancy up to 213% of poverty, and the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) runs from 213% to 322% with no copays or deductibles.

Apply at CoveredCA.com or by phone at (800) 300-1506 — or at BenefitsCal.com for Medi-Cal directly.

If you have Medi-Cal, renew first

This window is your backup, not your plan. If you have Medi-Cal now, keeping it starts with renewing on time — see the Medi-Cal renewal guide linked below. Covered California is the door to use if your income is over the Medi-Cal line, or if you lose Medi-Cal and need coverage without a gap.

Your checklist before December 31

• [ ] Check which side of the Medi-Cal line your household is on (138% for adults)
• [ ] Apply at CoveredCA.com or call (800) 300-1506
• [ ] If you are under 200% of poverty, look at the Silver plans — some carry a $0 premium
• [ ] Finish by December 31 so coverage starts January 1
• [ ] If you have Medi-Cal, renew it first — this is the backup

→ See which side of the line your household is on — and what else you may qualify for

See also: Covered California 2027: open enrollment · Medi-Cal renewal 2026: keep your coverage