Covered California Open Enrollment: Dates, Deadlines and How Subsidies Really Work

California runs its own health insurance marketplace, and its rules are more generous than the federal ones – longer enrollment, state subsidies, and richer Silver plans for those who qualify. Here is the short version we give every client. Reviewed August 2026.

The dates

Open enrollment in California runs November 1 through January 31 – three months, versus six weeks on healthcare.gov. Enroll by December 31 for coverage starting January 1. Outside those dates you need a qualifying event – losing coverage, moving, marriage, a baby, or your carrier leaving the market.

Subsidies only exist through Covered California

Premium tax credits and California’s state subsidy are available only through Covered California – the identical plan bought directly from the carrier gets zero help. If your income qualifies for Enhanced Silver 73, 87 or 94, the Silver plan’s deductibles and copays shrink dramatically – Enhanced Silver 94 is often richer than most Gold plans.

Yes, California still has a penalty

The federal mandate penalty is gone; California’s is not. For the 2025 tax year (filed in spring 2026) it is the greater of $950 per adult plus $475 per child (flat amount capped at $2,850 per household) or 2.5% of household income above the filing threshold, via FTB Form 3853. Going uninsured is not free in this state.

What we do

We are certified with Covered California and licensed with the carriers. Same plans, same prices as going direct – plus a human who checks your doctors, your drugs and your subsidy math. It costs you nothing. Book a free call, call (855) 847-7020, or start with your county’s carrier list.