Amid a decline in the number of Korean health insurance subscribers driven by federal funding cuts and stricter eligibility requirements, Covered California is strongly encouraging Korean residents and the broader community to sign up for new plans and maintain their existing coverage.
Covered California held its 2027 health insurance open enrollment event on the 5th at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, where officials outlined upcoming changes to eligibility requirements and premium assistance benefits for the new year.
Heather Kim, a community manager at Covered California, stated, “Korean insurance subscribers decreased by about 12% last year, and a further decline is expected this year.” She added, “Citizens and permanent residents are still eligible for financial assistance depending on income and other qualification requirements, so we hope people will check their eligibility through Covered California.”
To assist the community, Covered California provides dedicated Korean-language customer service. Korean speakers can receive assistance by calling the dedicated helpline at 800-738-9116, available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enrollment for 2027 health insurance plans runs through January 31 of next year. To ensure coverage begins on January 1, residents must complete the enrollment process by December 31. Those who enroll in January will have their coverage take effect on February 1.
The most significant change next year is the tightening of requirements for health insurance premium subsidies based on immigration status. Following the implementation of the federal government’s “Big and Beautiful Act” (H.R.1), certain legal resident immigrantsβincluding H-1B visa holders and refugeesβwill be excluded from subsidy eligibility.
