Time Running Out For Californians To Sign Up For Insurance Through Covered California
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — It's down to the wire for uninsured Californians who haven't signed up for Covered California.
More than 300,000 new people have signed up for insurance coverage as of Wednesday, the state agency said.
Gloria Torres and three others at La Familia Counseling Center devoted all their time on Friday guiding clients to get the right insurance as the Sunday deadline looms.
"We help them and enroll navigate through the system," she said.
David Lopez-Clark started his application last September, but had some setbacks.
"I lost my grandfather and my stepfather two weeks apart so finishing the paperwork online got pushed to the back burner," he said.
He's always had insurance, but when he turned 26 last year he had to buy his own.
"I currently take a few medications because I don't have health insurance I haven't been able to go to the doctor," he said.
And the insurance makes a big difference with his prescriptions—$20 vs $300 without it.
Covered California officials say tax penalties for those who forget or ignore the deadline go up to $695 a person.
Torres says it doesn't take long to sign up, and getting coverage before the 2016 deadline is worth it.
"You have to take care of yourself see you can take care of your family—health is everything," she said.
Residents without insurance have until Sunday to start an application by phone online or in person at a number of centers. They will have until Feb. 6 to complete their application.