Covered California Deadline Extended to April 15, 2014

Covered California sent an email out to its Certified Agents on the evening of March 31, to explain that there is a new deadline for enrollment:

Record-setting numbers of people trying to sign up for Covered California™ health insurance plans overwhelmed the system on the final day of open enrollment, prompting the exchange to allow consumers who had trouble enrolling by the deadline to work with a Certified Insurance Agent to finish their application by April 15.  Because of the staggering demands on the system, Covered California announced the following policy this afternoon:

• Consumers who were unable to create an online account or start their online application because of technical difficulties can contact a Covered California Certified Insurance Agent  to explain that they attempted to get through on March 31 and experienced difficulties. Those consumers will have until 11:59 p.m. April 15 to work with the Certified Insurance Agent to complete their application and choose a plan. 

• Consumers who created an online account and completed the first page of the application by 11:59 p.m. March 31, 2014, will be able to complete their application for the open-enrollment period, either by themselves online or with the help of a Certified Insurance Agent. Consumers must complete the application and select a plan by 11:59 p.m. April 15, 2014. Those enrollees will receive coverage effective May 1, 2014.

• Certified Insurance Agents who are having a difficult time helping consumers apply through Covered California's enrollment website should assist consumers using a paper application.  The Certified Insurance Agent can then enter the information into our enrollment website.  Completed applications (with plan selections) must be entered by April 15, 2014 (by 11:59 p.m.).
  
  
• When entering the paper application, please make sure you select the “Open Enrollment” category when responding to the question, “What is the ‘life event’ causing you to re-apply.”  When responding to the"When did this 'life event' occur," you should input 3/31/2014. Consumers may receive a May 1, 2014 effective date with their selected plan.