Covered California plans to double in price next year as open enrollment approaches

Covered California's open enrollment begins Nov. 1, and now the new higher-priced healthcare plans under the state's Affordable Care Act marketplace are available for people to see.

A mid-30s Sacramento couple making $50,000 a year might find a range of options, including a Western Health HMO plan for $33 a month, a Kaiser HMO plan for $166 a month, and a Blue Shield HMO plan for $181 a month.

Next year, those same plans increase to $278, $330, and $392 a month, respectively. Overall, Covered California plans will double in price.

"And the sticker shock is going to start happening," Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman said.

Michael Lee Change is a Covered California enrollee and student at Sacramento State who is bracing for the healthcare cost increase. He said a