The Affordable Care Act, Obamacare continues to chug along even as Republicans continue hearings in their attempt to repeal it. The following press release from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services went almost unnoticed by the national press. It denotes how smoothly the process is working. It denotes that like Medicare or Social Security, the Affordable Care Act is now just another necessary government program.
A little more than two weeks are left to enroll. Use the Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator to see how much getting health insurance will cost you. Remember, most people receive tax subsidies that substantially lowers their health insurance cost.
The uninsured rate continues to fall.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2015Contact: HHS Press Office
202-690-6343Nationwide 9.5 million consumers are signed up for Health Insurance Marketplace coverage
87 percent who selected plans in states using HealthCare.gov are getting financial assistance to lower monthly premiums; 2.5 million young people have selected a plan or been reenrolled; consumers have until Feb. 15 to sign up for coverage
Nationwide, 9.5 million consumers selected or were automatically reenrolled in quality, affordable health insurance coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace through the second month of 2015 Open Enrollment, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of those, more than 7.1 million were in states using the HealthCare.gov platform and 2.4 million were in the 14 states (including Washington, D.C.) using their own Marketplace platforms. As the Feb. 15 deadline approaches, HHS encourages all eligible consumers to sign up for Marketplace coverage. Most will be eligible for financial assistance to lower the cost of monthly premiums.
Today’s report includes data for individuals who selected or were automatically reenrolled in coverage through Jan. 16 for the 37 states using the HealthCare.gov platform, and through Jan. 17 for the 12 states and Washington, D.C. using their own Marketplace platforms. Data for California is through Jan. 18. To have their coverage effectuated, consumers need to pay their first month’s health plan premium (today’s report does not include effectuated enrollment).
“We’re pleased that, nationwide, 9.5 million people are signed up for Marketplace coverage. The vast majority are able to lower their costs even further by getting tax credits, making a difference in the lives of so many families,” HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said. “The deadline to sign up for coverage is just a few weeks away. We are encouraging consumers to visit HealthCare.gov, call the call center or get in touch with a local assister to check out their options for quality, affordable coverage. We still have a lot of work to do before February 15, but are encouraged by the strong interest we’ve seen so far.”
Detailed findings for the 37 states using the HealthCare.gov enrollment platform:
Through Jan. 16, 7.16 million people selected or were automatically reenrolled in a plan in the 37 states that are using the HealthCare.gov platform for 2015, including Oregon and Nevada. Of those:
- 87 percent selected a plan with financial assistance;
- 35 percent or 2.5 million were under 35 years of age; and
- 58 percent (4.16 million) reenrolled in a Marketplace plan and 42 percent (3 million) selected a plan for the first time.
Detailed findings for the 14 states using state-based Marketplace enrollment platforms:
In the 14 states that are operating their own Marketplace platform for 2015, 2.4 million consumers selected or were automatically reenrolled in plans. Of those:
- Approximately 300,000 Marketplace plan selections in are in the four states reporting data on new consumers and consumers actively reenrolling in Marketplace coverage (Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, and Massachusetts); and
- Nearly 2.1 million Marketplace plan selections are in the 10 states reporting data on new enrollees, consumers actively reenrolling in Marketplace coverage, and automatic reenrollees (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington).
The states of California (1.2 million) and Florida (nearly 1.3 million) have had the highest plan selections to date.
The information contained in this report provides the most systematic summary of enrollment-related activity in the Marketplaces to date. Data for the various metrics are counted using comparable definitions for data elements across states and Marketplace types.
Open Enrollment in the Marketplace runs from Nov. 15, 2014, through Feb. 15, 2015. Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov to review and compare health plan options. Find local help at: Localhelp.healthcare.gov/. Or call the Federally-facilitated Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855- 889-4325. Translation services are available. The call is free.
To read the monthly enrollment report click here.
To learn about upcoming nationwide efforts to enroll Millennials and new youth enrollment numbers, please join the Surgeon General for a call today at 2:30 p.m. EST. RSVP here.