The Covered California open enrollment period is set to end February 15, 2015. The time is now to make sure you and your employees are able to select a health insurance plan of your choice.

Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (ChapCare), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in Pasadena, will be providing health insurance assistance and enrollment for Covered California Qualified Health Plans, Medi-Cal, and the Los Angeles County My Health LA program.

ChapCare enrolled over 1,800 people into health insurance during last year’s Covered California open enrollment period, making it one of the top Certified Enrollment Entity’s in the State. The organization was recently awarded a Covered California Navigator Grant to expand its health insurance enrollment services.

ChapCare will be available at 316 E. Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena with people ready to assist with sign ups. Download the flyer here: CHAP Pasadena Shop Flyer - ENGLISH and SPANISH.pdf

Covered California, the State’s online marketplace to purchase affordable health insurance, will begin open enrollment Nov. 15.  To help celebrate the onset of open enrollment, the Pasadena Public Health Department, ChapCare, Young & Healthy and AIDS Service Center will hold a special enrollment event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1855 N. Fair Oaks Ave, the ChapCare Fair Oaks Health Center.

The open enrollment period ends Feb. 15, 2015, but anyone who needs to enroll is encouraged to attend the Nov. 15 event sign up now.

The multi-agency partnership known as “Covered Pasadena” will have Certified Enrollment Counselors to provide free enrollment assistance.  For individuals ready to enroll, bring the following documents, which are needed to apply:

  • Photo identification such as a California driver’s license, DMV ID or passport
  • Proof of California residency—driver’s license or utility bill)
  • Proof of legal residency such as Social Security Number, resident alien card, employment authorization card, Naturalization Certificate
  • Proof of income from recent tax return form or recent paystubs
  • Know date of birth

Eligibility to receive health insurance through Covered California is based on U.S. citizenship, household size and monthly income.  There will also be staff to help enroll in Medi-Cal, My Health LA, and other healthcare programs.

Through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”), each person who does not have health insurance in 2014 will receive a penalty of $95 or 1 percent of annual income.  Covered Pasadena is encouraging all to seek enrollment assistance on Nov. 15.  The open enrollment period ends Feb. 15, 2015.

For more than 120 years, Pasadena’s Public Health Department has worked to promote and protect the health of the greater Pasadena area. Visit the Department online at www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth.