The latest ACA health insurance exchange ("Marketplace") numbers are in. Are Americans signing up for ACA coverage? Are they accessing the individual health insurance tax credits? How many Americans have signed up and who are they?
3.3 Million Signed Up for Coverage in the First Four Months
According to a brief issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week, 3.3 million individuals have enrolled in a health plan through the state and federally-run health insurance exchanges in the first four months (October 1, 2013 - February 1, 2014).
Of those enrolled, 82% obtained health insurance discounts via the health insurance tax credits.
The estimated 3.3 million individuals includes those who signed up through the federally-run Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) and those who signed up through a state-run health insurance exchange (ex: DCHealthLink.com). The figure includes individuals who have selected a plan and have, or have not yet, paid the premium. Of these:
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1.36 million signed up through one of the 17 state-based health insurance exchanges (including D.C.)
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1.94 million signed up through the federally-run health insurance exchange ("Marketplace"), being operated for 34 states
The health insurance exchanges opened for enrollment October 1, 2013 with coverage beginning January 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.
Who Is Enrolling in ACA Health Insurance Exchange Plans?
HHS's brief includes data outlining exchange enrollees (as available). Here is a summary of who enrolled in a public health insurance exchange plan during the first four months:
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The majority of enrollees (69%) are ages 35 and over, with 25% of enrollees ages 18-34, and 6% are youth (age 17 or younger).
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The number of young adults (ages 18-34) increased from 24% in the first three months to 27% during the fourth month.
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The cumulative number of individuals who have selected a health insurance exchange plan has increased considerably since the end of the third month of the initial open enrollment period. There was a 53% increase in plan selection in January 2014.
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45% of enrollees are male, while 55% are female
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The most popular plan selected through the exchanges was the Silver plan with 62% of enrollees. Bronze plans were the next most popular with 19% followed by Gold plans (12%), Platinum plans (7%), and Catastrophic plans (1%).
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Of those enrolled, 82% obtained health insurance discounts via the health insurance tax credits.
For more data on the most recent ACA health insurance exchange enrollment, see the complete February 2014 HHS briefing here.
