Affordable Care Act Marketplace enrollment has reached a “key milestone,” with 11.5 million people choosing a health plan through the Marketplace as of December 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported Tuesday.
This is 1.8 million people more than the same period last year, representing an 18% increase, CMS said. It’s also a sharp increase from numbers reported last month: Nearly 3.4 million people had chosen an ACA Marketplace health plan, which represented a 17% increase from the same period last year, CMS announced November 22.
“This year, we’re so pleased to see so many new enrollees on HealthCare.gov, taking advantage of expanded financial assistance and new eligibility to purchase affordable, comprehensive health care coverage that they can use to help keep them and their families healthy,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure in a news release.
The 2023 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period began on November 1 and ends on January 15 for HealthCare.gov. Deadlines vary for state-based Marketplaces, however.
Due to the Inflation Reduction Act — which passed in August — four out of five HealthCare.gov enrollees can find a plan for $10 or less after tax credits, according to CMS. Additionally, 92% of HealthCare.gov enrollees have plan options from three or more insurance companies. Standardized plans also made it easier for consumers to compare and choose plans, according to the news release.
The Biden-Harris Administration made a historic $98.9 million investment to 59 navigator organizations in August to help consumers during the 2023 open enrollment period. The year prior, the Administration invested $80 million. These organizations educate consumers on health insurance coverage and assist them in finding the best health plan for their needs. In contrast, the Trump administration gave $10 million to 39 navigator organizations for the 2019 period.
“Unprecedented investments lead to unprecedented results. Under President Biden’s leadership, we have strengthened the Affordable Care Act Marketplace with continued record affordability, robust competition, and historic outreach efforts – and today’s enrollment numbers reflect that,” said Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The national uninsured rate was at a record low of 8% in early 2022, according to an August report released by HHS.
The next snapshot of plan selections will be released January 11, CMS said.
Photo: YinYang, Getty Images
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