Oct 28, 2019
California’s Individual Mandate, SB78 was included in the state budget, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed on June 27, 2019. Generally speaking, a taxpayer who fails to secure coverage will be subject to a penalty of $695 when they file their 2020 state income tax return in 2021. The penalty for a dependent child is half of what it would be for an adult.
The Individual Mandate applies to California residents, as well as their spouses and dependents. However, there are financial hardship exemptions and religious exemptions, as well as exemptions for undocumented residents, inmates, Native Americans, and those enrolled in a health care sharing ministry.
Our carrier partners are offering a special enrollment window for individuals not enrolled on their group plan. Below you can access details on each carriers offering as well as the deadline to submit applications.
| Carrier | Will Carrier Offer a Special Open Enrollment due to SB78? | Deadline to Request |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Yes | December 20, 2019 |
| Anthem Blue Cross | Yes | January 31, 2020 |
| Blue Shield of California | Yes | January 31, 2020 |
| CaliforniaChoice® | Yes | January 31, 2020 |
| Covered California for Small Business | Yes | pending |
| Health Net | Case by case basis | January 31, 2020 |
| Kaiser Permanente® | Yes | December 31, 2019 |
| MediExcel | Yes | December 31, 2019 |
| Oscar Health | Yes | January 31, 2020 |
| Sharp Health Plan | Yes | December 31, 2019 |
| Sutter Health | Yes | December 31, 2019 |
| UnitedHealthcare | Yes | December 31, 2019 |
| Western Health Advantage | Yes | January 31, 2020 |
“Kaiser,” “Kaiser Permanente,” “Kaiser Foundation Health Plan” and the Kaiser Permanente Logo are registered trademarks or service marks of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., in the United States.
