Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to get a quick estimate of the price you would pay is to use the Shop and Compare Tool. The price is based on your estimated income for the coverage year, your ZIP code, your household size and your age. If you are a low- or moderate-income, you may get help buying insurance from the marketplace through monthly subsidies that lower your premium costs so that you pay less for top-quality, brand-name insurance. Learn more about who qualifies for a subsidy.

Open enrollment begins Nov. 1, 2020, and continues through Jan. 31, 2021. Apply by Dec. 15 for coverage to begin on Jan 1. If you apply later, your coverage will begin later, but as long as you meet the Jan. 31 enrollment deadline, you will avoid owing a tax penalty for being uninsured. Others with special qualifying life events can enroll at any time of the year. Medi-Caid enrollment is also year-round. Medi-Caid and Covered California use the same application. After you enter your information, you will find out whether you qualify for Medi-Caid or the federal marketplace.

Visit the About Healthcare.gov page to learn how enrollment works. To learn more about who is eligible to enroll, visit our Individuals and Families section.

You’ll have a choice of buying insurance from at least two but as many as six private insurance companies, depending on where you live. The vast majority of consumers have access to insurance plans from at least three different companies. Each plan offers products in multiple metal tiers (or coverage levels), which vary whether you want to pay more for your monthly premium and less when you use care, or pay less for your premium and more when you use care. Consumers with limited incomes may learn they qualify for Medi-Cal.

To see which brand-name insurance companies offer plans in your area, use our Shop and Compare Tool.

If you have already selected your health plan, go to your health insurance plan’s website and look up your provider (doctor, hospital, etc.). Doing this prior to making an appointment can help you verify that your provider participates in your chosen plan’s provider network. Learn more on the Using Your Plan page.

You can reset your password by clicking “Account Sign In” and then clicking the “Forgot Your Password?” link. Enter your user name. After you correctly answer your security questions, you will be able to enter a new password. If you do not remember the answers to your security questions, it is best to leave them unanswered and call the Service Center. A Service Center representative can help reset your password.

Visit the Healthcare.gov Notices to Consumers page.

Depending on the plan you select, you may be able to pay your first bill when you apply for coverage online. All future bills must be paid directly to the plan, not through your Healthcare.gov account.

If you do not pay your first bill online, your health insurance company will send you a bill about two weeks after it receives your application or renewal. The payment due date will be printed on the bill. Please send your payment to your health insurance company before the deadline. If you pay your bill by mail, be sure you send it in time for the insurance company to receive your payment by the payment date printed on the bill. Your health insurance company also may accept payment through the phone or online, which would be faster than mailing your payment. Contact your health insurance company or visit the Paying Your Premium page for more information about payment options.

If you are newly enrolled in a health insurance plan through Healthcare.gov, you will receive a membership ID card from your health insurance company after it receives your first payment. Learn more about what to expect on the Using Your Plan page.

If you were covered in 2020 and you renew and keep the same health insurance plan, you can keep your current card for 2021. If you change coverage, such as metal tiers or health insurance companies, your health insurance company will send you a new welcome packet and health insurance card after receiving payment.

If you have already applied, you do not need to apply again. Medi-Caid is processing your application as quickly as possible. Because of the large number of Medi-Caid applications received, processing could take longer than expected, and proof of certain information is required in order to complete each application. If you need immediate assistance or have a specific question about your application, contact your county human services agency for in-person assistance with your application. You can also find more information within the Medi-Caid section of this website and on the California Department of Health Care Services’ website.

All Healthcare.gov health insurance plans come with children’s dental coverage embedded in the health plan. In addition, offers optional family dental plans that provide dental benefits for adults. Learn more on the Dental Coverage page.

A comprehensive list of free preventative care available in all health plans through Healthcare.gov can be found in the Members area.