Covered California Press Release Roundup
Tue, 10/06/2026 - 2:01pm
A hodge-podge of recent blog posts and/or press releases via Covered California:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman issued the following statement on today’s announcement from the federal administration:
“Today's announcement from the federal administration about fraud on the federal ACA marketplace does not affect any of the 1.785 million Californians who are connected to health insurance through Covered California. Families across our state can rest assured that their health coverage will not be impacted.
“Covered California takes fraud seriously and has not seen systemic fraud on our marketplace, because we have implemented common-sense steps that protect consumers and strengthen program integrity. We require affirmative, verifiable consent before an enrollment partner can access information or enroll a customer, utilize identification verification tools that detect nearly all fraudulent attempts, and we require all agents to accurately represent consumer information. Additionally, Covered California maintains a centralized fraud management team to coordinate monitoring, investigation and enforcement, which has reduced duplicate enrollments to below 1 percent. If the federal government is serious about addressing fraud, state-based marketplaces like Covered California have provided a blueprint for cracking down on improper enrollment — without placing unnecessary red tape on consumers.”
La versión en español de este Comunicado puede ser descargada en este enlace.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California announced its dental plans and preliminary rates for the 2027 coverage year, with a statewide weighted average rate increase of 6.2 percent for plans offered through the marketplace in 2027.
The industry-wide rise in the cost of dental care, along with an increased use of services, contributed to the rate change. Enrollment in Covered California dental insurance remained steady at 370,500 enrollees as of March 2026, however, with enrollees paying an average of $27 per month. Since 2020, enrollment in dental plans through Covered has increased by 85 percent.
“We are proud to continue to offer a competitive marketplace that helps ensure affordable and equitable access for Californians seeking health and dental insurance,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “Even in this era of rising costs, Covered California is striving to offer the highest-quality dental plans for the best value.”
While dental insurance for children is included in Covered California’s standard health benefits, adults can purchase optional family dental plans as an add-on to their health plans. The family dental insurance is offered on a guaranteed issue basis, meaning it is available to anyone who wants it, regardless of any pre-existing oral health conditions.
In 2027, Covered California will offer eight dental plans from five insurers, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, DentaQuest, Delta Dental of California and Humana Insurance Company.
After enrolling in a health plan, Californians may choose from dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) and dental preferred provider organization (DPPO) plans, giving consumers the possibility to shop for and select the plan that best fits their dental needs and budget.
All dental plans obtained through Covered California will continue to include preventive and diagnostic dental care at no extra cost. All Covered California health plans include coverage for core pediatric dental services for members under the age of 19 without needing to purchase a separate dental plan. Adults can purchase family dental insurance as an add-on to their health plan.
“Good oral health is critical for overall wellness, and it can help maintain a healthy heart and lungs, manage and control diabetes, and even help increase the chances of positive pregnancy outcomes,” said Dr. Monica Soni, chief medical officer for Covered California. “It also helps us eat without pain, speak clearly and smile with confidence. The equitable access to dental care that Covered California offers is crucial in addressing health disparities and achieving whole-person care.”
The benefits and rates of Covered California’s family dental plans can be found here.
9/29/26: Covered California Welcomes Liana Bailey-Crimmins as New Chief Information Officer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has announced Liana Bailey-Crimmins as its new Chief Information Officer. In the role, she will lead the Information Technology Division and guide innovation across enrollment platforms, strengthen data security, and improve the digital tools that connect consumers, certified enrollers, health plans, and other partners to the services that support coverage for Californians.
Bailey-Crimmins is a visionary executive leader and respected public-sector technology executive with more than 38 years of California state service. Nationally recognized for her expertise in large-scale IT portfolio management, cybersecurity, healthcare administration and emerging technology, she has consistently streamlined complex operations and built impactful public-private partnerships.
“Liana brings an exceptional combination of statewide technology leadership, health care expertise, and a deep commitment to public service,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “Her appointment strengthens Covered California’s goals of delivering secure, reliable, and intuitive digital tools, and her leadership will help fulfill our mission of expanding access to high-quality, affordable health care.”
Most recently, Bailey-Crimmins served as State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the California Department of Technology (CDT), where she led approximately 1,000 full-time employees and managed a $3.17 billion annual budget. In that role, she provided strategic counsel to the Governor while aligning technology strategy across 12 executive agencies and roughly 150 state departments. Her leadership accelerated California’s groundbreaking adoption of generative AI, including development of the state digital assistant, Poppy, and strengthened statewide digital equity and broadband initiatives designed to close the digital divide.
Bailey-Crimmins’ public service career includes senior leadership roles across California’s health and benefits ecosystem. At the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, she served as Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Health Director, and Chief Information Officer, bringing enterprise-wide security, technology, and healthcare leadership to one of the nation’s most complex public benefit organizations. She oversaw $9.2 billion in health benefits and a $4.6 billion long-term care program serving millions of members, while helping CalPERS achieve historically low healthcare rate increases through advanced data, value-based insurance design, and reference-pricing strategies that lowered out-of-pocket costs.
“Throughout my career, my north star has been using technology to improve the human experience and protect access to vital services for the people of California,” said Bailey-Crimmins. “Covered California plays a life-changing role in helping families across the state access quality, affordable health care, and does so by leading the way with technology and an innovative spirit. I am honored to join this team and help build an even more resilient, secure, and intuitive digital experience for Californians.”
Bailey-Crimmins has also served as IT director and chief information officer for California Correctional Health Care Services, where she directed an $800 million health care transformation portfolio supporting clinical and administrative services for 85,000 patients across 38 statewide locations. She successfully delivered turnaround-plan projects significantly under budget while improving patient safety.
She was recently honored as one of the “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers” (2026), received the GovTech Excellence in Leadership Award (2026), was named the GoldenGov: State Executive of the Year (2025), and received the inaugural Public Sector AI 50 Award (2025).
Bailey-Crimmins is replacing Kevin Cornish, who stepped down in June 2026, after serving in the position since June 2020. She will earn $260,004 annually, effective Sept. 29, 2026.
9/23/26: Covered California Welcomes Sonia Fernandes as New Assistant General Counsel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has announced Sonia Fernandes as the new Assistant General Counsel in its Office of Legal Affairs.
In the role, Fernandes will serve as the senior legal adviser to Covered California divisions on complex regulatory and operational issues, oversee a team of attorneys, provide legal guidance on contracts, policies, regulations and compliance, and advise leadership on high-risk legal matters.
Fernandes has extensive experience in state and federal health care law, including administrative investigations, litigation, and health plan compliance.
“Sonia brings the right mix of experience, knowledge and care to her work, and she has proven time and time again she can expertly handle complex and complicated legal matters with nuance and sensitivity,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We are thrilled to welcome Sonia to the team and are excited to have her immense talents and expertise at Covered California.”
Most recently, Fernandes served as Deputy Director and Chief Counsel, Office of Enforcement, at the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), where she managed the DMHC’s statewide litigation activities. Her efforts led to historic settlement agreements aimed at improving access to medical and behavioral health care and strengthening health care delivery systems for millions of Californians.
Prior to time as Deputy Director, Fernandes was an attorney in several offices and an Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of Plan Monitoring for DMHC, where she managed and oversaw the work of several staff attorneys and directed audits of commercial and Medi-Cal managed care plans, including an assessment of plan operations, which involved utilization management, quality assurance, and grievance and appeals systems.
Before joining DMHC, she was a staff attorney for Sacramento Child Advocates, Inc. where she represented children in Sacramento County’s foster care system who had experienced abuse or neglect, handling all aspects of litigation.
“I'm honored to join Covered California at a time when strong legal guidance is essential to advancing access, affordability and equity in healthcare,” said Fernandes. “I look forward to collaborating with the agency's leadership to navigate complex regulatory challenges, manage risk thoughtfully and help ensure that legal strategy supports better outcomes for Californians. I've seen firsthand the devastating effects of access gaps and know that adequate care can profoundly impact lives and alter trajectories.”
Fernandes received her J.D. with a concentration in intellectual property law from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from San Jose State University. She is also an advisory board member for My Sister’s House, a nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic violence, and a former president of the Women Lawyers of Sacramento.
Fernandes will be replacing Allison Pease and will earn $238,008 annually, effective Sept. 15, 2026.
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