How to Apply

Explore Your Options 

Use the Shop and Compare Tool to see the coverage options available to you and get an estimate of your costs. You will enter some basic information about yourself and will then see the plans available in your area. You’ll also see whether you are likely to qualify for financial assistance or Medi-Cal. 

Compare Plans 

Now that you’ve found out if you qualify for financial help or Medi-Cal, you can compare health plans. Depending on where you live, there are different plans to choose from and different levels of coverage. During this step you can compare copays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs depending on the metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). No matter the metal tier you end up choosing, you’ll be able to find out what you can expect to pay and see how much financial help is available based on your family size, income and where you live. 

Apply 

Visit our Apply page to start an online application. You can apply by phone or find free, confidential help enrolling in your neighborhood. You’ll need Social Security numbers, birthdates, immigration documents and current income information for the family members in your household. 

Families that include immigrants can apply. People who aren’t eligible to enroll due to immigration status can still apply to see if their children are eligible. Visit our Information for Immigrants page for more information.

We compare the information in your application against electronic data sources. If the information you give us doesn’t match, we may ask you to upload documents to your online account or send them to us by mail or fax so that we can confirm your information. Visit the Documents to Confirm Eligibility page to help you select the right document to send to us. 

Review Your Choices 

After entering your information, you will find out if you qualify for tax credits to buy a Covered California health plan or if you qualify for free or low-cost Medi-Cal. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, your county Medi-Cal office will follow up with more information. 

If you qualify for Covered California, you must choose a health plan and pay your first bill to complete your enrollment with Covered California. 

You may also be interested in getting dental insurance for the adults in your household through an optional family dental plan (children’s dental coverage is already included in your health insurance). Learn more about dental plans available through Covered California. 

Pay Your Bill 

Once you have selected a plan, you need to pay your premium in order for your health care coverage to start. 

Some health insurance companies accept the first monthly payment through Covered California’s online application system. If your plan does not accept your first payment this way, you will get a bill from your health insurance company. Just follow the instructions on the bill for making a payment. If you do not receive a bill, please contact your selected health insurance plan or make your first payment using the information on our Paying Your Premium page. 

Children’s dental insurance (pediatric dental coverage) is included with your health insurance, so you will not receive a separate invoice for that coverage. But if you purchase a separate family dental plan for yourself or your child, you will pay that premium directly to the dental company. Follow the instructions on the bill or visit Paying Your Premium. 

Payment for all plans must be paid directly to the insurance company. You need to pay your specific insurance company — not Covered California — no later than the due date printed on the bill. 

You’re covered! 

Congratulations on getting covered! To learn what to expect next, and to get the most you can out of your coverage, visit our Using Your Plan page.

And remember that if you experience major life changes during the year, such as a change in your family size, income or home address, you must update your information in your online account.