My COBRA ran out this month so I applied for CoveredCA. The hardest part there is filling out all your eligible income estimates for the year (there's a big chart to help you). You also upload a copy of your tax return which is good since I had a fresh one for 2023.

I think within a day or two they came back and said I was qualified for Medi-Cal (because of low income) so they had forwarded my information to that department. A week or so later I receive a Benefits Identification Card then a week after that I receive a letter saying I''ll be enrolled in my county's health plan, Health Plan of San Mateo, starting next month.

One option is that I could switch to Kaiser Permanente if I qualify (though I don't) by being one of:

• Being a Kaiser member within the last 12 months
• Living with a family member who has Kaiser
• Being a foster child
• Having Medicare and Medi-Cal (so old and low income)

Just as well as Kaiser is a big health care provider but has always had a mixed reputation.

So my enrollment was fairly easy and fortunately California is a state that provides free health care to low income individuals. Eventually though I need to get a job and then a regular health care plan.