This is archived content, for historical reference only.

Millions of Californians became newly eligible for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Many needed help understanding, accessing, and using these benefits. As the second open enrollment period gets underway, what community-based consumer resources are available?

A report from October 2013, On the Path to Enrollment: Getting Californians Covered Under the ACA, described the outreach, enrollment, and assistance programs required under the ACA, and efforts to implement this continuum of consumer support in California. After its inaugural year of enrollment experience, Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, made changes to some of these programs. These changes are described in a November 2014 report addendum, Changes for the Second Open Enrollment Period, 2014-2015.

The programs discussed in these papers include:

• Statewide marketing and outreach campaigns to raise awareness among consumers and small businesses about available coverage options
• Help applying for, changing, renewing, or discontinuing health coverage through the state’s Enrollment Assistance Program
• Consumer assistance programs to help people who encounter problems applying for or using health coverage

Both the original report and the addendum are available under Document Downloads.