For Californians who still don’t have health insurance, there are only two days left to sign up for Covered California, the state program that assists people without coverage through their job or programs like Medicare.
In 2025, Covered California recorded a record-breaking number of enrollments statewide, with more than 2 million people signing up. However, this year has seen a significant shift in numbers, particularly among the Latino community.
“Last year, 2 million Californians enrolled, including nearly 500,000 Latinos across the state,” said Dr. Jeffrey Reynoso, an advisor for Covered California.
According to Reynoso, Latino enrollment has dropped considerably compared to previous years.
“What we’re seeing is that new enrollments among Latinos have decreased by 30% this year,” Reynoso noted.
Given this situation, the specialist issued a direct call to the Latino and immigrant communities, urging them not to take a step back when it comes to prioritizing their health. He emphasized that all provided information is confidential.
“When they call us or share information with us, it is entirely confidential. We don’t share any information with immigration,” explained Reynoso.
This year, Covered California has enlisted 14,000 certified agents to help the community navigate the enrollment process. These professionals provide guidance across various regions, including the 211 center, which offers personalized support during the application process.
Additionally, certified agents are located in community health centers, such as San Ysidro Health, which serves thousands of patients annually.
“We are a community clinic that serves more than 150,000 families or unique patients each year,” explained Sonia Tucker, a representative of San Ysidro Health.
Experts strongly advise against waiting until the last minute. Enrollees can select their plan online, by phone, or in person, but they must do so before the deadline.
“The last day is January 31 at midnight. If you miss the deadline, you usually have to wait until the following year,” Reynoso added.
Covered California can also provide financial assistance to those who enroll. Representatives note that four out of five enrollees qualify for financial aid, which can significantly reduce the cost of health insurance.
This report was originally aired by Telemundo San Diego. AI tools helped adapt it into a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.