ACA open enrollment kicks off today

Photo: healthcare.gov

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra touted the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August, in getting more people off the rolls of the uninsured and onto coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

HHS celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the ACA a day before open enrollment on Nov. 1.

"Tomorrow, the first of November, start signing up," Becerra said during a press call on Monday. 

Four out of five people will be able to find a plan for $10 a month, he said. These are real plans, not junk plans, he said. 

The rate of uninsured in the United States is at 8%, which is still high but represents an all-time low.

There's a 49% increase among Black enrollees and a 53% increase among Latinos signing up since 2020.

"More Americans have access to insurance than we've ever seen in the history of our country," Becerra said. "Much of that has to do with the success of Obamacare."

The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, 2023. Consumers who enroll by midnight on Dec. 15 can get full year coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2023.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act have expanded tax credits and lowered premiums.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also invested more in outreach this year, having 1,500 navigators in nearly every county in the country to help people find a plan, according to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

The $98.9 million this year builds on the quadrupling of navigators last year, HHS said. 

Families who may not have previously been eligible for tax credits may now be eligible for financial assistance. 

Claudia Maldonado, director, Outreach & Enrollment, The Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers, said she's seen families get health insurance for the first time after navigators explain the subsidies.

"We have invested in additional outreach strategies," Maldonado said. 

This includes working with radio, digital ads, an expanded workforce and working over the phone, she said.

"The pandemic has taught us to be flexible and to outreach in different ways," she said.

THE LARGER TREND

The Inflation Reduction Act has kept costs for consumers lower as a result of the extension of tax subsidies.

Thirteen million Americans will continue to save an average of $800 per year on their health insurance, according to HHS. Four out of five customers will be able to find a plan for $10 or less after subsidies. 
 
Last year, a record-breaking 14.5 million people signed up for 2022 healthcare coverage through the marketplaces, including nearly 6 million people who newly gained coverage. 

For plan year 2023, 92% of enrollees will have access to options from three or more insurance companies when they shop for plans, CMS said. 

Also, new standardized plan options are available in 2023, which offer the same deductibles and cost-sharing for certain benefits, and the same out-of-pocket limits as other standardized plan options within the same health plan category. Most of these standardized plan options offer many services pre-deductible, including primary care, generic drugs, preferred brand drugs, urgent care, specialist visits, mental health and substance use outpatient office visits, as well as speech, occupational and physical therapy.
 
Earlier this month, the administration finalized a rule that will help about 1 million Americans who are offered employer insurance either gain coverage or see their coverage become more affordable through the marketplace.
 
ON THE RECORD

"Access to high-quality, affordable healthcare is top priority of the Biden-Harris administration, and the Affordable Care Act is central in our efforts to increase access for America's families," said Becerra. "This report shows that our efforts are working, including among Black, Latino, and American Indian and Alaska Native consumers. The uninsured rate is at a record low in the country, but we know we have more to do to close gaps in coverage and increase equity. That's why HHS is focused on building on these coverage gains during this next Open Enrollment Season starting on Nov. 1."
 

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org