Covered California Enrollment At 1.4 Million

The California Health Insurance Exchange will begin its second year of coverage under the Affordable Care Act slightly below the enrollment level it had projected.

Covered California says 1.4 million people signed up or renewed their health insurance during the “Open Enrollment” period that wrapped up on Sunday. The exchange had originally projected about 1.7 million but says more Californians than expected moved to MediCare, Medi-Cal or employer coverage.

Executive Director Peter Lee says 94 percent of renewals stuck with their existing coverage, “which shows that those that were enrolled in Covered California plans found those plans having the right mix of doctors, the right mix of care options for them, and the right one they wanted to stay with.”

Californians who started – but did not complete – their applications before last Sunday’s deadline have until this Sunday to finish up.

The exchange is also considering a special “Open Enrollment” period come tax time for people who realize only then that they must obtain health insurance or pay a federal tax penalty.