California Health Benefit Exchange: automatic health care coverage enrollment.

Assembly Member Addis proposes expanding enrollment options through the California Health Benefit Exchange (Covered California) by allowing automatic enrollment in health plans based on household member coverage and specific eligibility criteria. Starting July 2026, the Exchange would gain authority to enroll individuals in plans where other household members have coverage, the lowest-cost silver plan, or specialized plans for eligible Native Americans with reduced cost-sharing provisions.

The legislation modifies enrollment triggers to include applications submitted through the Statewide Automated Welfare System, while maintaining the requirement that enrollment occurs before existing coverage terminates. Premium due dates remain set no earlier than the last day of the first enrollment month. The Exchange must provide enrollees advance notice of their plan assignment, including instructions for accepting coverage or selecting alternative plans, replacing current premium payment notifications with more comprehensive guidance on coverage activation.

These changes aim to align household coverage and streamline transitions between insurance affordability programs. The Exchange would utilize data from counties, the State Department of Health Care Services, and managed care plans to maintain continuity of care when possible by enrolling individuals in their previous managed care plans. The provisions of the current law become inoperative on July 1, 2026, when the new framework takes effect.