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Palo Alto has world-class hospitals, but getting in the door still depends on coverage. Most residents get insurance through an employer. Others buy it through Covered California, qualify for Medi-Cal or have Medicare. Fall is when most of those choices are made. The year 2027 brings bigger changes than usual: the federal premium help many Californians relied on has expired and Medi-Cal rules are shifting in stages.
This page is informational and does not give insurance, tax or legal advice. It summarizes dates and rules as Covered California and the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) publish them in late October and early November 2026. Prices and eligibility depend on your own income and household, so use the official tools or a free certified enroller before you choose a plan.
Where coverage comes from
| Source | Who it is for | When you can join |
|---|---|---|
| Employer plan | Workers and their families | Your employer's enrollment period or after a life change |
| Covered California | Residents buying their own plan, with or without financial help | November 1 to January 31, or after a qualifying life change |
| Medi-Cal | Residents with low income who meet state rules | Any time of year |
| Medicare | People 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities | Initial enrollment, then each fall from October 15 to December 7 to change plans |
If you just moved to Palo Alto from another state, the move may count as a qualifying life change; check Covered California's list. Our moving checklist shows where insurance fits among your other first-month tasks.
Covered California open enrollment for 2027
Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace. Its open enrollment page and its October 30, 2026 announcement give these dates:
- November 1, 2026: open enrollment begins.
- December 31, 2026: choose a plan by this date for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- January 31, 2027: final deadline. If you sign up in January, coverage starts February 1.
Twelve insurers offer plans statewide for 2027, including one new insurer. Covered California notes that Molina is leaving some regions in 2027, so current members should read any notice from their plan and compare options. The marketplace also says 55 percent of enrollees will see no increase in their monthly premium.
Outside open enrollment you can usually join only after a major life change, such as losing other insurance or getting married. That special enrollment window usually lasts 60 days from the event.
Paying for a plan in 2027
The biggest change for 2027 is money. Covered California says the federal enhanced premium tax credits expired last year. Before that, Californians received nearly $2.5 billion a year in that federal help. The state has stepped in partway:
- State funding for the Covered California State Subsidy Program rises from $190 million in 2026 to $300 million in 2027.
- Enrollees with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level qualify. For 2027 that is $31,920 for an individual or $66,000 for a family of four.
- Covered California projects that more than 500,000 people will receive a state subsidy in 2027 and that nearly 200,000 can choose from two Silver plans with a $0 premium.
The state money cannot fully replace the lost federal help, according to Covered California. In Palo Alto, many households earn well above 200 percent of the poverty level and may see the full price. Shop on the official site, compare Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers and look at the total yearly cost, not just the premium.
Covered California also says federal changes for 2026 and 2027 update the public charge rule and affect eligibility for some lawfully present immigrants to get marketplace financial help. It states that these changes do not affect most immigrants. If your status is complicated, talk to a legal aid group before you apply. Our immigrant resources page lists them.
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. It covers medical care at low or no cost for residents who meet income and other rules. Palo Alto residents apply through Santa Clara County's Social Services Agency, online through BenefitsCal or through the Covered California application, which can direct you to Medi-Cal if your income qualifies. Applications are accepted all year.
Changes on the way
DHCS posts a running list of changes on its Medi-Cal changes page. Each applies only to some members:
| Date | Change DHCS describes |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Enrollment freeze for some adults with certain immigration statuses. The asset limit changed to $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member. |
| January 1, 2027 | Some adults ages 19 to 64 must work, volunteer, attend school or job training to keep coverage. |
| March 1, 2027 | Some members have eligibility checked twice a year instead of once. |
| July 1, 2027 | Some members lose full-scope dental coverage (emergency dental continues) and some must pay a monthly premium. The asset limit drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two. |
Watch your mail. Medi-Cal sends renewal packets and notices by mail. A missed form can end your coverage.
Medicare
Medicare's annual open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. During that window members can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage or change drug plans for the coming year. California's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, known as HICAP, offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Search for HICAP on the California Department of Aging's website to find the local office. See our resources for older adults for other local help.
Santa Clara County options
Santa Clara County runs its own health system with clinics and hospitals. It also offers programs for some residents who do not qualify for other coverage. Eligibility rules vary by program, so ask the county directly. Residents with Medi-Cal, Medicare or no insurance can reach county mental health services through its Behavioral Health Services Call Center at 800-704-0900. Our mental health resources page explains it.
Near Palo Alto, community clinics also see patients without insurance. Peninsula Healthcare Connection at 33 Encina Avenue offers free care to people who are homeless and low-income households. Ravenswood Family Health Network's MayView Palo Alto Clinic at 270 Grant Avenue uses a sliding scale. Our finding a doctor guide covers both.
Free enrollment help
You do not need to pay anyone to sign up. Covered California says help from its certified enrollers is free, confidential and available in multiple languages. It counts about 16,000 certified enrollers statewide.
- Find an Enroller: search by ZIP code on the Covered California site for in-person help near Palo Alto.
- Request a call: ask a certified enroller to call you back.
- Phone: (800) 300-1506, TTY (888) 889-4500, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The service center is closed weekends and on Veterans Day, November 11.
Before you call, gather income information for everyone in your household, Social Security numbers or immigration documents if you have them and the names of doctors you want to keep. Then check each plan's network, which our guide to finding a doctor walks through.
Good to know
- Covered California open enrollment: November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
- Sign up by December 31 for coverage from January 1.
- State subsidies reach incomes up to 200 percent of the poverty level in 2027.
- Medi-Cal takes applications all year, but several rule changes arrive in 2026 and 2027.
- This page is informational. Use official tools or a certified enroller to choose a plan.
Frequently asked questions
When is Covered California open enrollment for 2027?
Covered California says open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Pick a plan by December 31 to be covered for all of 2027 starting January 1. If you enroll in January, coverage starts February 1.
Can I get help paying for Covered California in 2027?
Covered California says the federal enhanced premium tax credits expired, so the state raised its own subsidy program to $300 million for 2027. Enrollees with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for state help, which for 2027 means $31,920 for one person or $66,000 for a family of four. Enter your income on the Covered California site to see your price.
Is Medi-Cal changing in 2026 and 2027?
Yes. The state Department of Health Care Services lists an enrollment freeze for some adults with certain immigration statuses from January 1, 2026, work requirements for some adults 19 to 64 from January 1, 2027, twice-yearly renewals for some members from March 1, 2027 and premiums and dental changes for some members from July 1, 2027. Check the DHCS Medi-Cal changes page for how they apply to you.
Where can I get free help signing up for health insurance near Palo Alto?
Covered California says help from its certified enrollers is free, confidential and available in many languages. Use the Find an Enroller tool on its website or call (800) 300-1506, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Medi-Cal applications can also go through Santa Clara County's Social Services Agency.
What if I miss the Covered California deadline?
Outside open enrollment you can usually sign up only after a major life change, such as losing other coverage or getting married. Covered California says that window usually lasts 60 days from the event. Medi-Cal accepts applications all year.