covered California extends closing date to subscribe to fitness plans to take effect Jan. 1

image: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

coated California executive Director Peter Lee appears at the work of muralist Max Martilla on East Oakland early life construction core before the work is unveiled in Oakland.

covered California govt Director Peter Lee looks at the work of muralist Max Martilla on East Oakland formative years development center before the work is unveiled in Oakland.

photograph: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

coated California extends deadline to join health plans to take effect Jan. 1

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coated California is extending its deadline to Dec. 22 to subscribe to fitness plans that take effect Jan. 1, the agency introduced Thursday.

The cut-off date had prior to now been Friday. coated California govt Director Peter Lee talked about the extension is meant to give buyers greater time, as some haven't been in a position to get an appointment with an agent to aid them join a plan.

"We do not need to leave any one behind," Lee said in a press release. americans will nevertheless be able to join except Jan. 31, however these plans won't take impact until Feb. 1 on the earliest.

The lined California exchange, created by the affordable Care Act and in its fifth enrollment season, allows residents who do not get insurance through their employers or Medi-Cal to buy insurance.

As of Thursday, about 182,000 individuals signed up for coverage considering the fact that open enrollment begun Nov. 1 — a 17 % enhance from the 156,000 who signed up at this factor closing yr.

California's open enrollment runs twice as long as open enrollment for the 39 states that use the federal coverage alternate HealthCare.gov. For these states, open enrollment ends Friday.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle workforce writer. electronic mail: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho