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California Open Enrollment Nov. 1: Los Angeles Residents Face 9.9% Average 2027 Health Insurance Increase
LOS ANGELES — Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance begins Sunday, Nov. 1, giving California residents an opportunity to compare plans, review premiums and determine whether they qualify for finan
By Miles Carter · 2026-11-02T03:07:06.724Z
LOS ANGELES — Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance begins Sunday, Nov. 1, giving California residents an opportunity to compare plans, review premiums and determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.
Californians can enroll through Covered California , the state's official health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2027 .
Residents who enroll by Dec. 31 can have coverage begin Jan. 1. People enrolling during January generally receive coverage beginning Feb. 1.
California health insurance rates rise 9.9% Covered California announced a preliminary statewide weighted average 9.9% rate increase for individual market health insurance plans for 2027.
Actual increases vary substantially by insurance company and geographic region. Covered California said the rate changes remained subject to final regulatory review before taking effect Jan. 1.
Carrier level weighted average changes announced for 2027 include:
Anthem Blue Cross: 13.0% Blue Shield of California: 12.5% Health Net: 13.2% Kaiser Permanente: 6.7% LA Care Health Plan: 8.1% Molina Healthcare: 16.9% Sharp Health Plan: 12.3% Valley Health Plan: 20.4% Western Health Advantage: 9.6% The statewide figure does not mean every customer will see a 9.9% premium increase. Costs vary by plan, geographic rating region, age and eligibility for financial assistance.
Los Angeles rate increases vary by region California divides the individual insurance market into geographic rating regions.
Covered California's preliminary 2027 figures show an average increase of 8.5% in northeast Los Angeles County and 9.3% in southwest Los Angeles County .
Other parts of California vary considerably, from an average 8.0% increase in Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties to 14.9% in the region covering Mono, Inyo and Imperial counties.
That makes location specific comparison particularly important for California consumers.
More than 500,000 Californians projected to receive state subsidies California is expanding its state funded premium subsidy program for 2027.
The state appropriated $300 million for the Covered California State Subsidy Program, up from $190 million.
Covered California projects that more than 500,000 residents , or about 30% of enrollees, will receive state premium assistance in 2027. The program is available to qualifying households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level .
Nearly 200,000 Californians are projected to have access to two Silver tier plans with a $0 monthly premium , depending on eligibility and location.
Covered California estimates the expanded program could also make financial help available to roughly 200,000 additional residents who were not eligible in 2026.
12 insurers offer Covered California plans Twelve health insurance carriers are expected to offer plans through Covered California in 2027.
Every California resident will have at least two insurance companies available, while 92% of consumers will have at least three carriers from which to choose. Nearly three quarters of Californians will have four or more options.
A new insurer, CalOptima Health , is entering Covered California in Orange County for 2027.
At the same time, Molina Healthcare will stop offering Marketplace plans in northeast Los Angeles County and Orange County . Approximately 1,600 Molina members in those regions will need to select another plan or be transitioned to another option.
What California residents should check Los Angeles area residents and consumers statewide should compare more than the monthly health insurance premium.
Consumers should review:
Monthly premiums Deductibles Co pays and coinsurance Maximum out of pocket costs Prescription drug coverage Doctor and hospital networks Federal premium tax credits California state premium subsidies Returning Covered California customers should also update their household and income information before renewing because changes can affect the amount of financial assistance available.
Covered California is the only place where eligible residents can receive financial assistance to lower premiums for Marketplace coverage. Some Californians may instead qualify for low cost or no cost coverage through Medi Cal .
Enrollment deadlines matter California residents who want health insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027 , should enroll by Dec. 31, 2026 .
Open enrollment continues through Jan. 31, 2027 , which gives Californians a longer enrollment window than residents of many states using the federal Marketplace. Consumers who enroll during January generally receive coverage beginning Feb. 1.
After open enrollment closes, most consumers need a qualifying life event to enroll in or change private health insurance coverage through a Special Enrollment Period.
California residents can compare 2027 health plans, determine potential financial assistance and enroll through Covered California .