Covered California nets more Latinos and young adults

Half a million new enrollees signed up for health insurance during Covered California’s second enrollment period, and it was a younger, more diverse group than the first time around, according to the state's health insurance marketplace.

Executive Director Peter Lee presented the demographic data to the agency's board of directors Thursday in Sacramento. 

Here are the highlights from the report:

• Nearly all enrollees qualified for some level of financial subsidies.
• The percentage of subsidy-eligible Latinos rose from 31 percent in the first enrollment period to 37 percent in the period that ended last month.
• Young adults, 18-34, accounted for 34 percent of new enrollees in the second enrollment period, up from 29 percent in the first period.
• The percentage of subsidy eligible African-Americans increased 1 percentage point, from 3 to 4 percent.
• The percentage of subsidy-eligible whites decreased from 35 percent to 34 percent.
• The most popular method for enrolling was with the help of a certified insurance agent.
• The majority of subsidy-eligible enrollees selected a Silver plan, which is the second-least expensive plan.
• Kaiser Permanente and Anthem Blue Cross saw the largest increases in new enrollees.

About the rise in Latino enrollment Lee said, "that’s a reflection of not just the advertising and marketing, both in English and Spanish, but very good outreach in communities across the state."