Moving to California is one of the qualifying life events that unlocks a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) outside of regular Open Enrollment. California runs its own state-based Marketplace called Covered California, which means you cannot simply transfer an ACA plan from another state. Every new California resident must enroll fresh in Covered California or Medi-Cal. The good news is that California's 2026 Covered California subsidies are among the most generous in the country at the state level, and Medi-Cal covers over 14 million Californians with free or near-free comprehensive care. California is a full Medicaid expansion state, meaning any adult with income under 138% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level qualifies for Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status for those who enrolled before January 1, 2026. For most new residents arriving in 2026, the SEP window gives you 60 days from your move date to compare plans, check subsidy eligibility, and lock in coverage. Acting within this window is critical: the next chance to enroll is Open Enrollment in November 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Covered California is California's official state-run ACA Marketplace. Unlike the federal healthcare.gov Marketplace used by most other states, Covered California has its own enrollment portal at coveredca.com and its own certified enrollment counselors. Covered California plans follow federal ACA metal tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) and include the same Essential Health Benefits. For 2026, Covered California's average Silver plan premium for a 40-year-old nonsmoker runs approximately $550 to $750 per month before subsidies, but premium tax credits bring most enrollees' actual costs down dramatically. Families earning 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level receive subsidies, and California also offers its own state-funded subsidy (the California Premium Assistance subsidy) that fills part of the gap for incomes above 400% FPL, which the federal ACA cliff no longer covers as of January 1, 2026. Verify your projected 2026 household income carefully before enrolling: Medi-Cal income limits and Covered California subsidy thresholds both use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), not gross wages.
7 Steps to Get Coverage
Common Mistakes That Cost People Thousands
The most costly mistakes new California residents make when enrolling in health coverage:
- Waiting past Day 60 from the move date. Covered California's SEP closes on Day 60. After that, only Medi-Cal remains open year-round for qualifying incomes.
- Trying to transfer an out-of-state ACA plan to California. Covered California does not accept plan transfers. New California residents must enroll in a Covered California plan from scratch at coveredca.com.
- Defaulting to COBRA from the prior state without comparing Covered California subsidies. For most people with income under 400% FPL, a subsidized Covered California Silver plan is dramatically cheaper than COBRA at 102% of full premium.
- Forgetting to apply California's state-funded premium subsidy above 400% FPL. California offers its own Premium Assistance subsidy for incomes above the federal 400% FPL cliff (which returned January 1, 2026). Apply through coveredca.com and the state calculation happens automatically.
- Choosing a Covered California plan without checking the provider network. Covered California networks vary by county and carrier. Always confirm your California doctors and hospitals are in-network before selecting a plan.
- Not enrolling children in Medi-Cal or CHIP (Medi-Cal for Kids) separately. Children qualify for free or low-cost Medi-Cal up to 266% FPL in 2026, which is $87,780 for a family of 4. Even if parents do not qualify for Medi-Cal, children often do.
Covered California vs Medi-Cal vs COBRA: Which Should You Choose?
Medi-Cal is always the first check for new California residents. California expanded Medicaid fully under the ACA, so any adult with 2026 Modified Adjusted Gross Income under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies for Medi-Cal, which is free comprehensive coverage with no monthly premium. For 2026, that threshold is $22,025 for a single person or $45,540 for a family of four. Medi-Cal has no enrollment deadline and accepts applications year-round through coveredca.com or your county social services office at dhcs.ca.gov. If Medi-Cal eligibility is met, enrolling in any paid Covered California plan is redundant.
Covered California plans are the right path for new residents with income between 138% and 400% FPL. Within that band, federal premium tax credits (and California's state subsidy layer) reduce monthly premiums significantly. Most enrollees in this income range pay between $50 and $300 per month for a Silver plan, depending on age, household size, and county. Silver plans at 100% to 250% FPL also carry extra cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays. Enrolling in a Silver plan in this income band is almost always better than choosing a Bronze plan, because the cost-sharing reductions on Silver are extremely valuable.
COBRA from your prior employer makes sense only in narrow circumstances. Federal COBRA charges 102% of the full premium (employer share plus employee share plus 2% admin), which typically means $500 to $2,000 per month for individual coverage and $1,200 to $2,800 per month for family coverage. Cal-COBRA applies to California employers with 2 to 19 employees and extends coverage for up to 36 months at the same 102% cost. COBRA is worth considering only if you have ongoing care with an out-of-state specialist who is not enrolled in any California network, or if you have already met your annual deductible for the year and want to maintain it through December 31. For the vast majority of new California residents, a subsidized Covered California plan is the financially superior choice.
Medi-Cal Eligibility for New California Residents in 2026
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program and covers more than 14 million Californians. New California residents who qualify based on income can enroll immediately upon establishing California residency. The standard adult eligibility threshold is 138% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level, enforced by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) at dhcs.ca.gov. Children qualify at higher thresholds: up to 266% FPL ($87,780 for a family of four in 2026) through the Medi-Cal for Kids program. Pregnant individuals qualify up to 213% FPL. Seniors and persons with disabilities have separate Medi-Cal income and asset rules.
Starting January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal reinstated asset limit checks for new applicants, with a cap of $130,000 in assets for an individual and $195,000 for a couple. Standard adult MAGI-based Medi-Cal still has no asset test. Medi-Cal uses MAGI income, meaning it includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, and unemployment compensation. To apply for Medi-Cal as a new California resident, visit coveredca.com (which routes to Medi-Cal automatically if you qualify) or apply directly through your county social services office. Coverage for Medi-Cal enrollees typically starts the first day of the month after a complete application is received.
California's State-Funded Subsidy for Incomes Above 400% FPL
California offers a state-funded Premium Assistance subsidy for residents with income above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. At the federal level, the ACA subsidy cliff returned January 1, 2026, after enhanced premium tax credits under the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act expired. Federal subsidies now cut off at 400% FPL, $63,840 for a single person or $132,000 for a family of four in 2026. California's state program fills part of this gap by providing state-funded help to Californians in the 400% to 600% FPL range, reducing the premium shock that residents in states without state-funded supplements face. New California residents above 400% FPL should apply through coveredca.com and the state calculation is applied automatically during plan selection.
Children's Coverage After Moving to California in 2026
Children who move to California with their families have two strong coverage options: Medi-Cal for Kids (the CHIP program integrated into Medi-Cal in California) and a Covered California family plan. Medi-Cal covers children up to 266% FPL in 2026, which is $87,780 per year for a family of four. Children who qualify for Medi-Cal can enroll year-round at no cost. For families whose income is above 266% FPL, children can be added to a Covered California family plan during the same 60-day SEP that covers the parents. California does not have a separate branded CHIP program (unlike states such as Illinois with AllKids or Colorado with CHP+): child coverage is folded into Medi-Cal. The qualifying life event SEP for the move covers the entire household.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SEP window after moving to California?
Moving to California from another state triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Covered California. Your SEP starts on the date you establish California residency and ends 60 days later. For example, a June 15, 2026 move gives you a SEP from June 15 through August 14, 2026. Covered California also allows you to report a move up to 60 days in advance if you know your move date in advance. Medi-Cal has no such deadline and accepts applications year-round for those who qualify based on income.
How do I document a move to California for Covered California enrollment?
Covered California accepts proof of California residency documents dated within 90 days of your application. Acceptable documents include: a California utility bill (gas, electric, water), a signed California lease or rental agreement, a California driver license or state ID showing your new address, or official government mail addressed to your California address. You also need to provide the date of your move to establish the start of your 60-day SEP window. Submit these through your coveredca.com account after selecting a plan. Missing the verification deadline can result in termination of your 2026 Covered California enrollment.
What if I miss the 60-day Covered California SEP after my move?
If you miss the 60-day SEP window after moving to California, you typically cannot enroll in a Covered California plan until the next Open Enrollment Period, which begins November 1, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Medi-Cal is the exception: it accepts applications year-round for those with income under 138% FPL ($22,025 for a single person in 2026). If a second qualifying life event occurs, such as a marriage, job loss, or birth, you would get a new 60-day SEP at that time.
Can I transfer my out-of-state ACA plan to Covered California?
No. ACA plans are state-specific and cannot be transferred across state lines. Moving to California terminates eligibility for your previous state's Marketplace plan. You must enroll fresh in Covered California using the 60-day move SEP. This is true even if your prior plan was through the federal healthcare.gov Marketplace or another state's exchange. Your new Covered California plan typically starts on the first day of the month after you enroll.
Do I qualify for Medi-Cal after moving to California?
Many new California residents qualify for Medi-Cal immediately upon establishing California residency. California is a full Medicaid expansion state. The 2026 income limit for standard adult Medi-Cal is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level: $22,025 per year for a single person, $29,820 for a household of 2, or $45,540 for a family of 4. Children qualify up to 266% FPL and pregnant individuals up to 213% FPL. Apply through coveredca.com or your county social services office. Medi-Cal eligibility is year-round with no enrollment deadline.
Should I keep COBRA from my prior employer after moving to California?
COBRA continuation from a prior employer is rarely the best financial choice after moving to California. Federal COBRA charges 102% of the full premium (both employer and employee shares plus a 2% admin fee), typically $500 to $2,000 per month for an individual. Cal-COBRA applies to California employers with 2 to 19 employees for up to 36 months at the same cost. Most new California residents with income under 400% FPL will pay far less on a subsidized Covered California Silver plan. COBRA is worth keeping only if you have active ongoing treatment with a provider not in any California network, or if your annual deductible is substantially met and you want to preserve it through December 31.
What are my children's health coverage options after moving to California?
Children who move to California qualify for Medi-Cal up to 266% FPL in 2026, which is $87,780 per year for a family of four. California integrates its CHIP program fully into Medi-Cal under the Medi-Cal for Kids umbrella, so there is no separate CHIP enrollment. Children can be enrolled in Medi-Cal year-round at no cost if they qualify based on family income. For families above 266% FPL, children are added to a Covered California family plan using the same 60-day move SEP. The Covered California family plan covers all household members under one enrollment.
Does California offer subsidies above the 400% FPL cliff?
Yes. California is one of the few states that offers a state-funded Premium Assistance subsidy for residents with income above the federal 400% FPL subsidy cutoff. The federal ACA subsidy cliff returned January 1, 2026, after enhanced premium tax credits expired. California's state program partially offsets this for Californians in the 400% to 600% FPL range. Apply through coveredca.com and the state subsidy calculation applies automatically. This state-level cushion is unique to California and does not exist in states using the federal healthcare.gov Marketplace.
