Covered California open enrollment: State and local leaders urge early signup

Open enrollment for Covered California kicked off on Monday, with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, along with state and local leaders, urging residents to sign up early.

This year’s open enrollment comes as major health care funding challenges are at the heart of the current government shutdown.

As Covered California opens its 2026 enrollment period, the agency is warning it expects federal tax credits, which make coverage more affordable for lower- and middle-income residents, could expire in a matter of months — unless Congress takes action to extend them.

Without an extension, monthly premiums are projected to rise an average of 97% for more than 1.7 million Californians who rely on federal credits to reduce the cost.

Democrats have warned that more than 150,000 Californians could be priced out of the insurance market altogether if the federal credits are not extended.

“What we’re finding is on average, Californians on Covered California plans may see an increase of 97% in their monthly premiums, which is pretty significant,” said Jeffrey Reynoso, a Covered California senior advisor. “That being said, what’s important is that the original subsidies under the Affordable Care Act are still available and about half of our enrollees will still be able to find an affordable plan for $10 a month or less.”

Covered California said if federal credits do expire in January, the state intends to kick in some funding to try to at least reduce premiums.

However, the state also warns it could lose as much $2.5 billion in annual funding provided by those federal credits.

Nearly 146,000 San Diegans rely on Covered California.

Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31, and anyone can shop their options at coveredca.com.