As Open Enrollment Kicks Off, Covered California’s Director Talks Premiums And Politics

Sacramento Bee: Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee Talks About Obamacare, Millennials And Premium Increases 
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, through Jan. 31, Californians who don’t have employer-based health insurance or Medicare can sign up for health insurance through the state’s marketplace, Covered California. That’s the easy news. As Covered California launches its fourth annual sign-up season under the federal Affordable Care Act, health care coverage is as contentious as ever, both in presidential debates and in national headlines. Covered California has already posted average premium increases of 13.2 percent, compared with a nationwide average of 25 percent. (Buck, 10/31)

KPBS: Open Enrollment Underway For Covered California
Hold onto your stethoscopes: it's open enrollment time for Covered California. From now until the end of January 2017, consumers can renew their health insurance coverage, switch plans, or newly enroll through the state's health insurance exchange. This year, the Covered California website has an upgraded shopping tool that allows consumers to compare up to 12 health plans at once. Consumers can filter their choices by quality ratings, out-of-pocket costs, plan type and other options. (Goldberg, 11/1)

The San Diego Union-Tribune: Covered California Open Enrollment Starts Tuesday 
Covered California’s fourth open-enrollment season has arrived with a measure of sticker shock for the health insurance exchange’s 1.3 million enrollees. For the first time next year, many Obamacare premiums are increasing by double digits, and Tuesday begins a three-month period when consumers can change their coverage for 2017. Dec. 15 is the last day to make changes for those who want their 2017 coverage to begin on New Year’s Day, but changes with later start dates can still be made through Jan. 31. (Sisson, 10/31)