Qualifying Life Events 

If you experience a qualifying life event, you can enroll in a Covered California health insurance plan outside of the normal open-enrollment period. Most special-enrollment periods last 60 days from the date of the qualifying life event.

For most qualifying life events, your coverage will start on the first day of the following month after you select a plan.

Less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level

• For 2023, your expected income is less than $20,385 as a single person, less than $27,465 for a household of two people, less than $34,545 for a household of three people, or less than $41,625 for a household of four people. (For other household sizes, see the Federal Poverty Level Chart under the 150 percent column.)
• Note: If this is your only qualifying life event, select “None of the Above” on the Qualifying Life Event page of the online application. If you otherwise qualify, the system will provide a special-enrollment period that you can use to enroll or change plans once per month.

Pandemic (e.g., COVID-19) or national public health emergency

• A pandemic or national public health emergency resulting in a declaration of a state of emergency at the state or national level.

Paid the penalty for not having health insurance

• Paid the Individual Shared Responsibility Penalty to California’s Franchise Tax Board because you didn’t have health insurance in the previous tax year.

Lost or will soon lose my health insurance

• You lose Medi-Cal coverage.
• You lose your employer-sponsored coverage.
• Your COBRA coverage ends, or you stop receiving government subsidies or employer contributions for your COBRA coverage. Note: Not paying your COBRA premium is not considered loss of coverage.
• You are no longer eligible for student health coverage.
• You turn 26 years old and are no longer eligible for a parent’s plan.
• You turn 19 years old and are no longer eligible for a child-only plan.

Affected by wildfires or other publicly declared state of emergency

• Experienced a natural or human-caused disaster (for example wildfires) that resulted in the declaration of a state of emergency in California.

Newly qualifies for health insurance stipend

• New driver for a ride sharing or delivery company as an independent contractor.
• Existing driver of a ride sharing or delivery company who expects to drive enough hours to receive the health care stipend.

Got married or entered into domestic partnership

• One or both members of the new couple can use the special enrollment period to enroll in coverage.

Had a baby, adopted a child, or began fostering a child

• The entire family can use the special enrollment period to enroll in coverage.
• If you receive a child in foster care, you will need to indicate “adopted a child” in the drop-down menu when you apply.

Permanently moved to or within California

• You move to California from out of state.
• You move within California and gain access to at least one new Covered California health insurance plan.

Gained citizenship/lawful presence

• You become a citizen, national, permanent legal resident, or gain other lawfully present status.

Returned from active-duty military service

• You have lost coverage after leaving active duty, reserve duty, or the California National Guard.

Domestic abuse or spousal abandonment

Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native

• If you are a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, you can enroll at any time and change plans once per month.

Released from jail or prison




SOURCE: Covered California 2024