LowerScript for Californians

Prescription savings guide

Losing Health Insurance in California (2026 Guide)

Last updated September 11, 2026 · Reviewed by the LowerScript editorial team · Español

If you've lost job-based health insurance in California, you generally have 60 days to enroll in a plan through California's own exchange, Covered California, under a special enrollment period — or you can elect COBRA to continue your old employer plan (usually at full premium cost). California has also adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion, so check your Medi-Cal eligibility too. In the meantime, a free discount card keeps prescription costs down no matter what coverage you end up with.

Your options, in order

  1. 1

    COBRA

    Continues your exact former employer plan, but you pay the full premium — compare this cost against a Covered California plan before deciding.

  2. 2

    Covered California special enrollment

    Losing job-based coverage triggers a special enrollment period, generally 60 days, to sign up for a plan through Covered California — the state's own exchange, which California has run since the ACA marketplaces first opened and has never replaced with HealthCare.gov. 1,927,371 Californians enrolled in a 2026 plan during open enrollment, per healthinsurance.org's summary of Covered California's release data, and about eight in ten enrollees qualified for a premium tax credit, per the same source.

  3. 3

    Medi-Cal

    California adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion effective January 1, 2014 (KFF). If your income is low enough, you may qualify — non-elderly adults qualify up to 138% of the federal poverty level (healthinsurance.org, Medicaid eligibility and enrollment in California). See prescription help for the uninsured in California for eligibility detail.

Keep filling prescriptions in the meantime

Whichever option you choose, gaps happen. A free LowerScript card works with no insurance at all, so you can keep filling your regular medications while you sort out longer-term coverage.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to enroll in a Covered California plan after losing coverage?

Generally 60 days from the date you lost coverage, under a special enrollment period. Check coveredca.com for your exact deadline.

Is COBRA the same as my old plan?

Usually yes — it continues your exact former employer plan — but you generally pay the full premium yourself, which is often expensive.

What do I do about prescriptions while I sort out coverage?

A free discount card like LowerScript can lower the cash price at the counter with no coverage at all, while you apply for a new plan or COBRA.

Sources: healthinsurance.org, California Health Insurance Marketplace; KFF, The California Health Care Landscape; healthinsurance.org, Medicaid eligibility and enrollment in California. This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Confirm deadlines and eligibility at coveredca.com. LowerScript is a discount program, not insurance.

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More guides: Prescription Help for the Uninsured in California · California Prescription Assistance Programs · Insurance vs Cash Price: Which Is Cheaper?  |  All savings guides · Drug prices