Covered California stops by Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital

If you’re planning on signing up for Covered California, now is the time to do it. Open enrollment began Nov. 1, and will end Jan. 31.

But there’s another deadline you should pay attention to — Dec. 15. In order to ensure coverage starts right at the beginning of next year, you need to sign up by Dec. 15.

On Thursday, the Covered California bus stopped at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital as part of a statewide tour to get the word out.

A Salinas father who has diabetes shared his story about signing up.

“With Covered California, it’s way better,” David Rivera said. “I pay a small portion, I think it’s like $100 every few months, for my medications.”

“At every stop, we hear stories like Mr. Rivera, people who have actually had thousands of dollars saved, healthcare sometimes for the first time,” Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said. “Some are in tears saying I never though I could afford health insurance. Now they can.”

Lee said an estimated 15,000 people on the Central Coast are still eligible to enroll.

At Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, nearly 2,000 people have received care thanks to the program.

Doctors say consistent healthcare keeps people out of the emergency room. A team of people at SVMH can help those interested in Covered California sign up.