> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Riverside Panel Urges Residents to Enroll in Covered California as Coverage Changes Loom - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-panel-urges-residents-to-enroll-in-covered-california-as-coverage-changes-loom/ - Published: 2026-11-10T13:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-10T13:00:01.000Z - Description: Panelists say Riverside residents shouldn't assume last year's plan still fits and that having coverage doesn't always mean having access to care. - Author: Manny Otiko - Tags: Community, #herald-40fef165-d2ee-81ba-b2b0-d6202b3fdc54 Health care providers gathered at Back to the Grind in Downtown Riverside on Thursday to discuss the complexities of the health care system and encourage people to enroll in Covered California. Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace, where eligible residents can shop for and compare health plans and receive financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Panelists included Dr. Monica Soni, chief medical officer of Covered California; Ninfa Delgado, CEO of Riverside Community Health Foundation; Jeff Boyd, a licensed marriage and family therapist; and Dr. Naveen Raja, chief medical officer of UCR Health. The panel was hosted by Regina Brown Wilson of California Black Media. Panelists shared their experiences in the health care system and some of the barriers their clients face. Soni reminded people that Dec. 31 is the deadline to enroll for coverage beginning Jan. 1\. Open enrollment continues through Jan. 31. She also warned that the system has changed and that people shouldn't expect their health plans to be the same as last year. "Don't assume what you got last year is what you're going to get this year," Soni said. "We have folks that are going to see no increase in their premium at all this year. And then we have folks that are going to get no support because of changes that came from the federal government," she said. Still, she encouraged people to apply, because plans are available for those who qualify. She said almost 90% of Covered California enrollees receive financial help. "So the vast majority of folks are getting support," she said. Soni said thousands of enrollment experts are available around the state to guide people through the Covered California enrollment process. Delgado talked about the barriers people face in getting care, even when they have insurance. "Having coverage does not equal access," she said. Those barriers include transportation and long waits to see specialists. Delgado said she once waited up to four months for a specialist appointment. Telehealth has expanded access to care, especially for people in rural areas, but Delgado said it has created another hurdle: internet connectivity. "Digital access is still a challenge in some communities," she said. Boyd said one challenge is that people don't understand their coverage. They have insurance but don't realize how much it doesn't cover. "A lot of folks are stuck in policies where they don't know what it pays for. A lot of people don't know what they've got," Boyd said. He said he often walks his patients through their coverage to show them what is covered. Boyd said he sees two to three patients a week pro bono because they don't have insurance or their deductibles are too high to pay. He said many providers are moving to cash-only practices to avoid the complexities of insurance. Boyd said he believes young people have a healthier attitude toward mental health than older people, and many receive mental health care at school, where counselors are available. He also noted that Black mental health providers are rare. He recalled meeting a young man at the mall who told him he had never met a Black mental health provider. He said having a provider who understands your cultural background is essential. "You want to seek a provider you can relate to," he said. "Trust is essential." Raja stressed the importance of preventive care in heading off long-term health problems. He said high blood pressure is rampant in the United States, and he has seen many patients who left it untreated, leading to strokes and kidney problems. He urged people to get cancer screenings, including breast cancer screenings for women and colon cancer screenings, and to stay up to date on vaccinations. "One in two people have a chronic condition," he said. To enroll or compare plans, visit [CoveredCA.com](https://www.coveredca.com/?ref=raincrossgazette.com). Free help is available by calling Covered California at (800) 300-1506 or requesting a call from a certified enroller.