Nearly 2.2 million Americans enrolled in private health plans through federally or state-run insurance marketplaces during the first 3 months of the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period, nearly a quarter of whom are aged 18-34 years, according to figures released Jan. 13 by the Health and Human Services department.
"The numbers show that there is a very strong national demand for affordable health care made possible by the Affordable Care Act," Kathleen Sebelius, HHS secretary, said during a press briefing. "Among young adults, the momentum was particularly strong."
More women (54%) than men (46%) enrolled in a health care plan, according to preliminary demographic data provided by HHS. This is the first time demographic information has been released.
More than half of marketplace enrollees are between ages 45 and 64 years, with 22% aged 45-54 years and 33% in aged 55-64 years.
But HHS officials said they were encouraged by the number of younger Americans who had selected a plan through the marketplace. Young, and presumably healthy enrollees, are considered essential to ensuring a favorable risk mix for insurers. Over the first 3 months of open season, individuals aged 18-34 years made up 24% of enrollees. In comparison, 18-34 year olds make up 26% of the U.S. population under age 65 years.
"We think that more and more young people are going to sign up as time goes by, which was the experience in Massachusetts," Gary Cohen, director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during the press briefing.
Overall, enrollment in health plans surged in December, outstripping the slow start of the online insurance marketplaces in October. The number of people enrolling in a health plan through the marketplaces, which HHS defines as selecting but not necessarily paying for a plan, was more than 1.7 million in December alone, up from about 364,000 in October and November.
Another 1.6 million Americans were deemed eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program through the marketplaces from Oct. 1 through Dec. 28, according to the report. That figure does not include individuals who applied to the program directly through their state agencies.
Most enrollees selected plans with lower premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs. A total of 60% selected a "silver" plan and another 20% selected a "bronze" plan.
Most enrollees (79%) are receiving some type of financial assistance in paying their premiums, according to the HHS report.