Covered California Plans for San Diego Residents: 2026 Enrollment Guide

Buying your own health insurance in San Diego got more expensive in 2026, and the next round of price changes is already on the table. If you’re self-employed, between jobs, retired early or new to the county, Covered California San Diego plans are likely your main route to comprehensive coverage with financial help attached.

This guide explains which insurers sell marketplace plans in San Diego County, what changed for the 2026 plan year, and what to expect when open enrollment for 2027 coverage opens on November 1, 2026. It also shows how federal and state subsidies are calculated, walks through two local examples with real published prices, and lays out the enrollment steps.

Figures are based on publicly available information as of September 21, 2026. Rates, rules, deadlines and eligibility can change, and several federal rules are still being fought over in court.

Quick Answer
Covered California is the state-run marketplace where San Diego County residents (Rating Region 19) buy individual health plans, with federal and state financial help for those who qualify. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. If you pick a plan by December 31, coverage starts January 1. San Diego shoppers in 2026 could choose among Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare and Sharp Health Plan. Covered California’s preliminary 2027 figures show a 13.1% average rate increase in San Diego, but the average change for enrollees who switch to the cheapest plan in their metal tier would be 2.8%. Your actual price depends on your income, age and ZIP code, so treat every number here as a starting point for your own quote.

How Covered California Works for San Diego Residents

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace. It is an independent part of state government overseen by a five-member board, and it is the only place where Californians can get income-based financial help to lower their premiums.

Who can enroll

According to Covered California, you can buy a plan regardless of income if you are a California resident and either a U.S. citizen or someone with satisfactory immigration status. You can apply even if you have insurance through work, but a job-based offer may make you ineligible for financial help.

Some groups are excluded. Covered California says people over 65 usually don’t qualify, with some exceptions. Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and people who are not lawfully present also don’t qualify. Mixed-status families can still apply for the members who are eligible. Only the people applying must provide Social Security numbers or immigration details.

One application, two programs

Medi-Cal and Covered California share one application. When you enter your household size and income, the system tells you whether you qualify for Medi-Cal, which is low-cost or free, or for a Covered California plan with or without financial help. That is useful for San Diego households whose income moves around from year to year.

San Diego is its own pricing region

California splits the state into 19 rating regions. San Diego County is Region 19, and it has its own prices and its own mix of insurers. Covered California reported 136,310 San Diego enrollees in its March 2026 member profile. Its release a year earlier cited 145,810 San Diego enrollees as of March 2025.

That drop is not a data conflict. The two numbers are snapshots taken a year apart, and 2026 was the first year without the enhanced federal tax credits.

Key Dates for the 2026 Plan Year and 2027 Open Enrollment

The title of this guide says 2026 because that is the plan year currently in force. The next chance for most people to sign up or switch plans is open enrollment for 2027 coverage.

The open enrollment calendar

Covered California lists these dates:

October 1, 2026: Current enrollees can begin renewing or switching plans for 2027.
November 1, 2026: Open enrollment begins for everyone.
November 1 to December 31: Choose a plan in this window and coverage starts January 1, 2027.
January 1 to January 31, 2027: Choose a plan in January and coverage starts February 1.
January 31, 2027: Open enrollment closes.

Coverage doesn’t begin until you pay your first premium. Covered California says your insurer mails a membership ID card after it receives that payment. If you don’t pay online, the insurer sends a bill about two weeks after it gets your application.

Why national guides give different deadlines

You may see December 15 and January 15 quoted as the key deadlines. Those dates are correct for states that use HealthCare.gov, but not for California.

Healthinsurance.org reports that in most states, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, and a plan must be picked by December 15 for a January 1 start. California runs its own marketplace and sets its own calendar, with a January 31 close.

There is also a legal wrinkle. According to healthinsurance.org, a 2025 federal rule would have ended open enrollment by December 31 in state-run marketplaces. A federal judge vacated that part of the rule in June 2026. The government appealed, and oral arguments are expected in late October 2026. The outcome could affect enrollment windows starting in fall 2027, but Covered California’s published dates for this coming season are November 1 to January 31.

Special enrollment outside the window

If you miss open enrollment, you can still enroll after a major life change. Covered California says most special enrollment periods last 60 days from the event, and coverage usually starts the first day of the following month.

Several qualifying events come up often in San Diego County:

Moving: You moved to California from another state, or you moved within California and gained access to a new plan.
Losing coverage: You lost job-based insurance or Medi-Cal, or you aged off a parent’s plan at 26.
Military service: You lost coverage after leaving active duty, reserve duty or the California National Guard.
Disasters: You were affected by a wildfire or other disaster that led to a declared state of emergency.
Gig work: You started driving for a rideshare or delivery company and expect to qualify for the state health stipend.

The full list also includes marriage, a new baby, a change in immigration status and release from incarceration.

Which Insurers Sell Covered California Plans in San Diego

Covered California’s county rate sheet for 2026 lists six insurers in San Diego County. Some offer more than one network type. The table below uses Covered California’s published sample rates for a single 40-year-old in one San Diego ZIP code. These are full prices before any financial help, and they were preliminary when published in September 2025.

Insurer and network (San Diego, 2026)	Bronze	Silver	Gold	2027 statewide avg. rate change*
Anthem Blue Cross HMO	$468	$544	$726	+13.0%
Blue Shield of California PPO	$683	$843	$1,019	+12.5%
Blue Shield of California HMO (not all ZIPs)	Not offered	$516	$574	+12.5%
Health Net PPO	$569	$794	$938	+13.2%
Health Net HMO	Not offered	$553	$652	+13.2%
Kaiser Permanente HMO (not all ZIPs)	$432	$530	$600	+6.7%
Molina Healthcare HMO	$449	$490	$559	+16.9%
Sharp Health Plan HMO (not all ZIPs)	$448	$475	$590	+12.3%

*The carrier column shows each insurer’s weighted average change across California, as reported in Covered California’s July 2026 release. It is not a San Diego-specific figure. Kaiser and Sharp publish more than one plan design per tier. The table shows the coinsurance version for Bronze and the copay version for Silver and Gold.

What the network types mean

An HMO usually requires you to use doctors and hospitals in its network and get referrals for specialists. Out-of-network care is covered only for emergencies and urgent care. A PPO covers out-of-network care, usually at a higher cost. The table shows how much extra that flexibility costs: the Blue Shield PPO Silver plan was listed at $843 a month, compared with $475 for Sharp’s cheapest Silver plan.

The local option

Sharp Health Plan is based in San Diego and only sells marketplace plans in this region. Many people who already see Sharp-affiliated doctors check its plans first. Kaiser and Sharp plans were marked as not available in every San Diego ZIP code, so someone in Borrego Springs may see a different list than someone in Mission Valley.

Carrier changes for 2027

Covered California’s 2027 announcement says 12 insurers will sell plans statewide. CalOptima Health is joining the marketplace in Orange County only. Molina is leaving Regions 15 and 18, which are parts of Los Angeles County and Orange County. The release does not list a San Diego exit or entry, but the final plan list for your ZIP code will appear in the Shop and Compare tool on CoveredCA.com.

What Covered California San Diego Premiums Look Like for 2027

Covered California’s preliminary 2027 rate figures are not good news for Region 19. San Diego’s average increase of 13.1% is the second highest in the state, behind only Region 13 (Mono, Inyo and Imperial counties). It is also well above the statewide average of 9.9%.

Region	2026 avg. rate change	2026 shop-and-switch	2027 avg. rate change	2027 shop-and-switch
Statewide	10.3%	1.0%	9.9%	-0.2%
Region 19 – San Diego County	11.8%	2.6%	13.1%	2.8%
Region 18 – Orange County	10.4%	2.0%	10.4%	-2.3%
Region 16 – Los Angeles (southwest)	10.0%	-6.8%	9.3%	-8.1%
Region 17 – Riverside and San Bernardino	12.5%	4.6%	9.8%	0.8%
Region 13 – Mono, Inyo and Imperial	12.9%	10.3%	14.9%	12.6%

Sources: Covered California rate announcements of August 14, 2025 and July 21, 2026. Both sets of figures were preliminary when released and subject to review by the California Department of Managed Health Care.

The “shop and switch” column matters most

Covered California defines shop and switch as the average change a consumer could see by moving to the lowest-cost plan in their current metal tier. In San Diego that drops the average 2027 increase from 13.1% to 2.8%. Automatic renewal into the same plan is convenient, but it can cost more than a fresh comparison.

Sticker price versus your price

Most enrollees don’t pay the full rate. Covered California projects that, because of federal tax credits and the expanded state subsidy, 60% of enrollees statewide will see no increase in their monthly premium for 2027. It also projects that 26% will remain eligible for $0 premiums without changing plans.

The reason is how the federal credit works. It is tied to the cost of a benchmark plan, so when that plan’s price rises, the credit usually rises with it. The next section explains the mechanics.

For national context, Covered California compares its 9.9% statewide average with a preliminary national median increase of 14% for 2027, a figure from KFF. For 2026, it compared its 10.3% with a national average of 20%. These are different measures, a median and an average, so they aren’t directly comparable, but both point the same way.

Metal Tiers and What You Pay When You Use Care

California standardizes its plan designs. A Silver plan from Molina and a Silver plan from Sharp have the same deductible and copays, and they differ mainly in price and network. That makes comparison simpler than in many states.

2026 benefit design	Medical deductible (individual)	Out-of-pocket max (individual)	Primary care visit	Generic drugs	ER facility
Bronze	$5,800	$9,800	$60 (first 3 visits)	$20	40% after deductible
Silver (standard)	$5,200	$9,800	$50	$19	$400
Silver 73	$5,200	$8,100	$50	$19	$400
Silver 87	$1,400	$3,350	$15	$8	$200
Silver 94	None	$1,400	$5	$3	$50
Gold	None	$9,200	$40	$18	$350
Platinum	None	$5,000	$15	$9	$175

Source: Covered California, 2026 Patient-Centered Benefit Designs and Medical Cost Shares. Preventive care is $0 in every tier. Bronze primary care copays apply to the first three non-preventive visits; after that, visits cost the full price until the deductible is met.

The enhanced Silver plans

Silver 73, 87 and 94 are the same Silver plans with lower cost sharing, called cost-sharing reductions. You only get them if you choose a Silver plan and your income is in range. For 2026, Covered California lists these single-person income ranges:

Silver 94: Up to $23,475 (above 100% up to 150% of the federal poverty level)
Silver 87: $23,476 to $31,300 (above 150% up to 200%)
Silver 73: $31,301 to $39,125 (above 200% up to 250%)

Moving from Silver 73 to Silver 87 cuts the deductible from $5,200 to $1,400 and the out-of-pocket maximum from $8,100 to $3,350. That is a big change for a few hundred dollars of income, and it is why reporting income accurately matters.

Bronze plans now work with an HSA

Covered California says Bronze and minimum coverage plans now count as high-deductible health plans starting January 1, 2026. That means enrollees can contribute to a health savings account. For a self-employed San Diegan who rarely sees a doctor, this makes Bronze more attractive than it used to be. A tax professional can explain how the contribution rules apply to you.

Minimum coverage plans

Minimum coverage plans, sometimes called catastrophic plans, pay nothing for most services until you reach a $10,600 out-of-pocket maximum. Preventive care is still free. Covered California’s sample showed Kaiser’s minimum coverage plan at $302 a month for a 40-year-old in San Diego.

How Financial Help Works in 2026 and 2027

Financial help comes in two layers: the federal premium tax credit and, for lower incomes, California’s own state subsidy. The rules changed in 2026 and change again in 2027.

The federal premium tax credit

The federal credit equals the price of your area’s second-lowest-cost Silver plan, called the benchmark, minus the amount the government expects you to contribute. That expected contribution is a percentage of your household income, and the percentage rises as income rises.

Covered California illustrates this with “John,” a 40-year-old in Sacramento earning $31,300, which is 200% of the poverty level. He is expected to contribute 6.60% of his income, or about $172 a month. His benchmark plan costs $638, so his credit is $466. Every Covered California member also gets a $1 monthly California Premium Credit, which brings John’s total help to $467. He can apply that amount to any metal tier.

The percentages come from the IRS each year:

Income as % of federal poverty level	2026 expected contribution	2027 expected contribution
Under 133%	2.10%	2.15%
133% to under 150%	3.14% – 4.19%	3.23% – 4.30%
150% to under 200%	4.19% – 6.60%	4.30% – 6.78%
200% to under 250%	6.60% – 8.44%	6.78% – 8.66%
250% to under 300%	8.44% – 9.96%	8.66% – 10.22%
300% to 400%	9.96%	10.22%

Sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-25 (2026) and Revenue Procedure 2026-26 (2027). Within each band the percentage rises gradually from the first figure to the second.

The 400% cliff is back

The enhanced federal tax credits that removed the upper income limit ended on December 31, 2025, Covered California confirms. Since 2026, households above 400% of the poverty level get no federal premium tax credit.

For 2026 coverage, Covered California cites 200% of the poverty level as $31,300 for one person and $64,300 for a family of four. Doubling those figures puts the 2026 cliff at $62,600 and $128,600. For 2027 coverage, Covered California cites 200% as $31,920 for an individual and $66,000 for a family of four. That puts the 2027 cliff at roughly $63,840 and $132,000.

The cliff hurts most for older enrollees, because premiums rise with age. A 40-year-old near the limit often gets little or no credit anyway. A 60-year-old couple just over the line can lose a large subsidy.

California’s state subsidy

For 2026, California set aside $190 million to keep premiums near 2025 levels for people earning up to 150% of the poverty level ($23,475 for an individual), with some help up to 165%.

For 2027, the state raised the amount to $300 million and extended eligibility to people up to 200% of the poverty level. Covered California projects that more than 500,000 people will receive a state subsidy in 2027. It says nearly 200,000 of them can choose from two Silver plans with a $0 premium.

If Congress changes course

Covered California says that if the federal government brings back the enhanced credits, it will apply the new savings automatically, notify enrollees and give them time to change plans. There is no guarantee that will happen.

New repayment and verification rules

Two federal changes deserve attention, especially from freelancers and gig workers whose income swings.

No repayment cap: Starting with the 2026 tax year, filed in 2027, people who received too much advance credit may have to repay the full excess. The old income-based cap no longer applies.
Upfront verification: Starting in 2028, Covered California says enrollees must prove they qualify before financial help is applied. People who don’t confirm or update their information won’t be automatically re-enrolled with financial help.

Worked Examples: Two San Diego Households

These examples use Covered California’s published 2026 sample rates for one San Diego ZIP code, which were preliminary when released, and the IRS contribution percentages above. They show how the math works. They are not quotes. In that sample ZIP, the two cheapest Silver plans were Sharp’s Premier HMO and Molina’s HMO, which makes Molina’s Silver plan the approximate benchmark.

Example 1: A 25-year-old in City Heights earning $31,300

Maya is 25, single, and works two part-time jobs. Her projected 2026 income of $31,300 is exactly 200% of the poverty level used for 2026 coverage.

Expected contribution: 6.60% × $31,300 = $2,066 a year, or about $172 a month.
Benchmark Silver (Molina, age 25): $385 a month.
Federal credit: $385 − $172 = $213, plus the $1 California credit, for $214 a month.

Her net monthly premiums would look like this:

Plan (age 25, sample ZIP)	Full price	After $214 credit	Deductible	Out-of-pocket max
Kaiser Bronze	$340	$126	$5,800	$9,800
Anthem Bronze	$368	$154	$5,800	$9,800
Sharp Silver (Silver 87 level)	$373	$159	$1,400	$3,350
Molina Silver (Silver 87 level)	$385	$171	$1,400	$3,350

At her income, Covered California’s table places her in the Silver 87 range. The Sharp Silver plan costs $33 a month more than the Kaiser Bronze plan, or $396 a year. In exchange, her deductible falls by $4,400 and her maximum possible bill drops by $6,450.

In a bad year, her total exposure on Kaiser Bronze would be about $11,312 in premiums plus out-of-pocket costs. On Sharp’s Silver plan it would be about $5,258. People in Maya’s position often consider that trade-off carefully.

There is a catch. If her income rose to $31,400, she would move into the Silver 73 band, with a $5,200 deductible. A certified enroller can help her project income realistically.

Example 2: A 40-year-old freelancer in North Park earning $48,000

Daniel is a 40-year-old freelance graphic designer with projected 2026 income of $48,000, which is about 307% of the 2026-coverage poverty level.

Expected contribution: 9.96% × $48,000 = $4,781 a year, or about $398 a month.
Benchmark Silver (Molina, age 40): $490 a month.
Federal credit: $490 − $398 = about $92, plus the $1 California credit, for about $93 a month.

Plan (age 40, sample ZIP)	Full price	After ~$93 credit
Kaiser Bronze	$432	~$339
Sharp Silver (standard Silver)	$475	~$382
Kaiser Gold	$600	~$507
Blue Shield PPO Silver	$843	~$750

Daniel’s credit is small because his expected contribution is close to the benchmark price. The PPO would cost him roughly twice as much as the cheapest Silver HMO for the same deductible and copays. The only real difference is the network.

For 2027, two things change for Daniel. His expected contribution rises to 10.22%. At the same income, which is about 301% of the 2027 guideline, that works out to about $409 a month. At the same time, if the benchmark rises with San Diego’s regional average, his credit would grow too.

As a purely hypothetical illustration, a 13.1% rise would push a $490 benchmark to about $554. That would raise his credit to roughly $146 a month. The actual 2027 benchmark in his ZIP code may differ, so he would need to run the numbers in Shop and Compare in October.

How to Enroll From San Diego, Step by Step

The process is the same whether you live in Oceanside or Otay Mesa.

Gather your documents. Covered California lists Social Security numbers for applicants who have them, federal tax information, immigration documents for non-citizens, and employer and income information.
Estimate your income for the coverage year. The credit is based on projected income, not last year’s. Self-employed people usually start from net business income. With no repayment cap from tax year 2026, a careful estimate matters more than it used to.
Get a quote first. The Shop and Compare tool on CoveredCA.com shows plans, prices and estimated help for your ZIP code without creating an account.
Check your doctors and prescriptions. Look up your doctors and medications in each insurer’s directory before choosing. Network differences between Sharp, Kaiser, Molina and the PPOs are real.
Apply. You can apply online (Covered California estimates about 30 minutes), by phone at (800) 300-1506, by mail, or in person with a free certified enroller. The Find an Enroller tool lets you search for local help.
Pick a plan and pay. Choose by December 31 for a January 1 start and make your first payment. Coverage isn’t active until the insurer receives it.
Report changes during the year. If your income or household changes, update your account so your credit stays accurate.

Current enrollees don’t have to start over. Covered California lets members review, renew or switch plans starting October 1.

California and San Diego Rules to Know

California’s health coverage penalty

California requires residents to have qualifying coverage, get an exemption, or pay a penalty on their state tax return. For the 2025 tax year, the Franchise Tax Board lists the penalty as the higher of $950 per adult and $475 per child, or 2.5% of household income above the state filing threshold.

As of this writing, the FTB page still shows 2025 amounts. The 2026 dollar figures had not been posted there. The penalty is capped at the state average Bronze premium, which Covered California calculated at $420 a month for an individual in 2026.

Covered California’s calculation also lists the median Bronze premium for a 21-year-old in each county. San Diego’s was $388.81 a month, below the statewide weighted figure. Short gaps of three consecutive months or less are exempt, and several other exemptions are available.

Immigrant eligibility changes

Covered California says that starting January 1, 2027, only certain immigrant groups, such as lawful permanent residents, will be eligible for financial help. That matters in a border county with many mixed-status households. Anyone affected can use Covered California’s information for immigrants page or talk to a certified enroller before open enrollment.

Medi-Cal changes that affect marketplace shoppers

The Department of Health Care Services lists several changes. Since January 1, 2026, some adults can no longer sign up for full-scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status. Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19 to 64 in the expansion group must meet work, volunteer or school requirements. Starting March 1, 2027, some members will have eligibility checked twice a year.

If you lose Medi-Cal, that loss is a qualifying event for a Covered California special enrollment period.

Common Mistakes and Ways to Keep Costs Down

Mistakes that cost San Diego enrollees money

Letting a plan renew without comparing. Region 19’s gap between the 13.1% average increase and the 2.8% shop-and-switch figure shows what passive renewal can cost.
Choosing Bronze when you qualify for Silver 87 or 94. The premium difference can be small and the deductible difference very large, as Maya’s example shows.
Underestimating income. With the repayment cap gone from tax year 2026, an optimistic estimate can mean a large bill at tax time.
Waiting until the last week. Signing up on January 2 instead of December 31 means February 1 coverage, which leaves January uninsured if your old coverage ended.
Not paying the first premium. Choosing a plan doesn’t activate coverage. Payment does.
Assuming your doctor is in every network. Kaiser and Sharp run closed systems, and even the PPOs have networks.

Ways to keep costs down

Many people in this situation consider comparing HMOs with PPOs honestly. If you don’t need out-of-network care, a PPO can cost hundreds more a month. People whose income is near the 150%, 200% or 250% lines often review whether their estimate is accurate, because the cost-sharing bands are fixed.

Self-employed San Diegans with Bronze plans can now pair them with an HSA. And anyone near the 400% cliff might ask a tax professional whether retirement contributions that lower adjusted income could matter for them.

Free help is available. Certified enrollers and licensed agents who work with Covered California cost nothing to use. A licensed agent can tell you which plans and subsidies apply to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Covered California open enrollment for 2027?

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. If you choose a plan between November 1 and December 31, coverage starts January 1. If you choose in January, it starts February 1. Current members can renew or switch plans from October 1. Outside that window, you need a qualifying life event, such as moving to California or losing job-based coverage.

Which insurance companies offer Covered California plans in San Diego?

Covered California’s 2026 county rate sheet listed Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare and Sharp Health Plan in San Diego County. Kaiser, Sharp and Blue Shield’s HMO were not available in every ZIP code. The 2027 announcement lists carrier changes only in Orange County and parts of Los Angeles County. Your ZIP code determines your final list.

How much does Covered California cost in San Diego?

It depends on age, income and ZIP code. Covered California’s preliminary 2026 sample showed full prices for a 40-year-old ranging from about $432 for a Kaiser Bronze plan to $843 for a Blue Shield PPO Silver plan. Most enrollees receive tax credits that lower those prices. Covered California projects that 60% of enrollees will see no premium increase in 2027.

Is there still a subsidy cliff at 400% of the poverty level?

Yes. The enhanced federal tax credits ended December 31, 2025, so households above 400% of the federal poverty level get no federal premium tax credit. For 2026 coverage, that is about $62,600 for one person and $128,600 for a family of four. For 2027 coverage, it rises to roughly $63,840 and $132,000, based on Covered California’s published figures.

What is the penalty for not having health insurance in California?

For the 2025 tax year, the Franchise Tax Board lists the penalty as the higher of $950 per adult and $475 per child, or 2.5% of household income above the filing threshold. It is capped at the state average Bronze premium, $420 a month per person for 2026. Exemptions exist for short gaps of three months or less, unaffordable coverage and other situations.

Can I get Covered California if I have a job offer of insurance?

You can apply and buy a plan, but you may not qualify for financial help if your employer offers affordable coverage that meets minimum standards. For 2026, the IRS affordability threshold is 9.96% of household income for the employee’s lowest-cost self-only plan. For 2027, it rises to 10.22%. A licensed agent can check how this applies to your household.

What happens if I miss the January 31 deadline?

You generally have to wait until the next open enrollment unless you have a qualifying life event. Covered California lists events such as losing coverage, marriage, a new baby, moving to California, leaving active-duty military service, or being affected by a declared disaster. Most special enrollment windows last 60 days. Medi-Cal enrollment is open year-round for people who qualify.

Are Covered California Bronze plans HSA-eligible in 2026?

Yes. Covered California says Bronze and minimum coverage plans count as high-deductible health plans starting January 1, 2026, so enrollees can contribute to a health savings account. That is a change from earlier years, when only specific HDHP Bronze plans qualified. A tax professional can confirm contribution limits and eligibility rules for your household.

Does California still offer its own state subsidy?

Yes. California set aside $190 million for 2026, mainly for people up to 150% of the poverty level. For 2027, the state increased funding to $300 million and extended eligibility to people up to 200% of the poverty level, which is $31,920 for an individual. Covered California projects that more than 500,000 people will receive a state subsidy in 2027.

Can undocumented San Diego residents buy Covered California plans?

No. Covered California says people who are not lawfully present do not qualify, although they can use the application to check eligibility for other programs such as Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal rules for some immigrant adults have also changed, including an enrollment freeze since January 1, 2026. Families can still apply for eligible members, such as citizen children.

Conclusion

Covered California San Diego plans cost more in 2026 than in recent years, and Region 19’s preliminary 13.1% average increase for 2027 is among the highest in the state. The same data also shows the way to limit the damage: the average San Diego enrollee who switches to the cheapest plan in their tier would see an increase closer to 2.8%.

Your next step is simple. In early October, sign in to CoveredCA.com, or open the Shop and Compare tool if you’re new, enter your ZIP code and a careful 2027 income estimate, and compare at least three plans across Bronze, Silver and Gold. If the numbers are confusing or your income is near a subsidy line, book a free appointment with a certified enroller or licensed agent before December 31.

Sources

Covered California — “Covered California Rates and Plans for 2027: California Continues Fight for Health Insurance Affordability and Access” (July 21, 2026). https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2026/07/21/covered-california-rates-and-plans-for-2027-california-continues-fight-for-health-insurance-affordability-and-access/ — accessed September 21, 2026.
Covered California — “Covered California Rates and Plans for 2026: Consumer Affordability on the Line With Uncertainty Surrounding Federal Premium Tax Credit Extension” (August 14, 2025). https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2025/08/14/covered-california-rates-and-plans-for-2026-consumer-affordability-on-the-line-with-uncertainty-surrounding-federal-premium-tax-credit-extension/ — accessed September 21, 2026.
Covered California — “Covered California Qualified Health Plan 2026 Regional Rates by County” (September 2025). https://hbex.coveredca.com/toolkit/downloads/CCA_26_QHP_Plan_Rates_by_County.pdf — accessed September 21, 2026.
Covered California — “2026 Patient-Centered Benefit Designs and Medical Cost Shares.” https://www.coveredca.com/pdfs/Health-Benefits-Table.pdf — accessed September 21, 2026.
Covered California — “Federal Changes to Your Health Insurance” (updated June 15, 2026). https://www.coveredca.com/important-changes/ — accessed September 21, 2026.
Covered California — “Start Your Enrollment.” https://www.coveredca.com/get-started/ — accessed September 21, 2026.
Covered California — “Dates and Deadlines.” https://www.coveredca.com/support/before-you-buy/enrollment-dates-and-deadlines/ — accessed September 21, 2026.
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