California's state-run "Covered California" healthcare program, also known as Obama Care, opened its enrollment and renewal period for 2025 on November 1. The program is encouraging Korean-Americans to enroll, noting expanded benefits for low-income residents.

Through January 31, 2025, Californians can sign up, renew, or purchase health insurance plans via Covered California. Since its launch in 2014, Covered California has enrolled over 5.9 million residents, with around 1.8 million currently covered.

For 2025, the program has enhanced its cost-sharing reduction initiatives, aiming to make healthcare more affordable. Executive Director Jessica Altman emphasized that Covered California has spent the past decade improving access to quality healthcare at an affordable rate for millions across the state. “We encourage residents to enroll during the official enrollment period to protect themselves and their families,” she said.

This year, Covered California is experiencing the highest enrollment levels and the lowest uninsured rate in California’s history. Thanks to improved federal subsidies and California’s cost-sharing reduction program, more residents than ever, including DACA recipients, are eligible for financial assistance through Covered California.

With increased funding of $165 million for 2025, California's cost-sharing program allows residents whose incomes exceed 200% of the federal poverty level ($30,120 for an individual, $62,400 for a family of four) to benefit from plans like the “Enhanced Silver 73 plan” without deductibles and with reduced out-of-pocket costs. Those earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level will see even greater benefits. Covered California also reduced out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays for prescriptions and doctor visits, for over 800,000 members in 2024, now extending these benefits to all enrollees above the 200% federal poverty level.

As of November 1, 2025, DACA recipients can also enroll, thanks to changes in federal regulations by the Biden administration. An estimated 40,000 eligible DACA recipients in California will benefit from this new access, with a special enrollment period for DACA recipients open through December 31.

Uninsured rates have dropped sharply, from a high of 17.2% in 2013 to a record low of 6.4% in 2023. However, despite high enrollment, nearly 1.3 million eligible Californians remain uninsured, according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Covered California’s study shows that 23% of current members could pay $0 in monthly premiums in 2025 if they retain their existing plan, an improvement from 20% this year. Nearly 90% of enrollees receive financial assistance, with two-thirds of members paying $10 or less monthly.

Covered California has increased its outreach to non-English-speaking minorities, such as Korean and immigrant communities, which face a significantly higher risk of being uninsured. With about 2 million Californians lacking full English proficiency, the program has launched a digital campaign, "Let’s Talk Health," in multiple languages, including Korean, on their website.

For more information about Covered California, visit www.CoveredCA.com, which offers details in Korean.
Contact (800) 300-1506 for Korean-language assistance.

— Reporter Jo Hwandong

<Hwandong Cho>