Covered California Won't Extend Enrollment Deadline

By Olivia Hubert-Allen and the Associated Press

Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, said he is pleased with the number of young people who have enrolled so far. (Max Whitaker/Getty Images) — Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, said there are no plans to extend the deadline for those who want coverage by Jan. 1. (Max Whitaker/Getty Images) (Max Whitaker/Getty Images)

Residents in California must sign up for health care plans through the Covered California exchange by the end of the day today to get coverage on Jan. 1. They will not push back the deadline, as the Obama administration announced it is doing for the 36 states using the federal health insurance exchange.

"If you want coverage to start on Jan. 1, you need to enroll today," said Peter Lee, the director of Covered California.

As long as customers begin the process before the deadline, Covered California will honor those who are still completing their applications into the next day.

"If someone starts that application process today, we're going to get them across the finish line," Lee said. "It's like the election. If you're in line when the polls closed, you can vote."