How to Apply for the Community Health Coverage Program (CHCP) – Important Deadlines

There’s a deadline to apply for health care coverage no matter what time of year you apply. Enrollment into The Kaiser Permanente Community Health Coverage Program (CHCP) is limited. Kaiser Permanente reserves the right to stop accepting new enrollments at any time without prior notice.

Open Enrollment Period

Open enrollment is a specific window of time each year when you can sign up for or change health insurance plans. Outside of this period, you generally cannot change your coverage unless you experience a major life event. The Open Enrollment Period is from November 1 – January 15. During that period, those eligible for the program may enroll through their designated community partner. The application processing time takes up to 6 weeks.

Please contact your community partner about enrollment opportunities.

Special Enrollment Period

If the program is still accepting applications, you may apply for coverage outside of the Open Enrollment Period if you have a certain type of event in your life (called a triggering event or qualifying life event). A triggering or qualifying life event is when someone important in your life changes. Examples of qualifying life events include:

• Enrollment with a community partner
• Getting married or divorced
• Losing coverage because you lost your job
• Permanent relocation
• The birth or adoption of a child*

In general, you can enroll during this “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) up to 60 days after a qualifying life event occurs. To enroll, contact your designated community partner.

For more information about enrolling during SEP, visit kp.org/chcspecialenrollment.

*Please note, newborns are only insured through CHCP for the first 30 days after birth. The parent/guardian must apply for Medicaid for their child. If the child is denied Medicaid, they can then be added to the plan. The Medicaid denial letter and Account Change Form must be submitted to:

By email (preferred): CHC-Applications@kp.org

By mail:
Kaiser Permanente
Attn: CHC
P.O Box 939095
San Diego, CA 92193-9095

By fax: 1-855-355-5334

Reapplication Period

CHCP Reapplication takes place from August 1 to October 1, 2026. Reapplication helps us determine if you are still eligible for the CHCP subsidy for the 2027 plan year.

Current CHCP members whose subsidy will expire on December 31, 2026 and who are eligible to reapply for the program, must reapply between August 1, 2026 and October 1, 2026 to continue receiving the CHCP subsidy in 2027. You MUST provide Kaiser Permanente the signed form, proof of household income, and other applicable documents by October 1, 2026 to determine if you still qualify for financial help in 2027.

Individuals over 21 are eligible to receive the CHCP subsidy for a maximum of up to 3 years in a row. Eligible dependents can continue to receive the subsidy until they turn 21, no matter how long they’ve been in the program. When a covered child turns 21, the 3-year limit starts.

If you don’t reapply, your CHCP subsidy will expire on December 31, 2026. The CHCP subsidy is available as a one-time resource and all current members must reapply annually. Members who do not reapply in consecutive years will lose future eligibility.