ACA open enrollment sign-ups are 40% higher than last year
Corresponding with enrollment is the U.S. rate of uninsured, which HHS says hit an all-time low this year.
Photo: healthcare.gov
The White House has announced that the number of new enrollees who have signed up for health insurance on HealthCare.Gov is up almost 40% compared to the same time last year. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra called it a "strong start," and said four out of five people are eligible for coverage at $10 or less.
Going hand in hand with the enrollment numbers is the national uninsured rate, which HHS said reached an all-time low this year.
The administration has prioritized expanding access to health insurance and lowering health care costs.
Enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans began on November 1. December 15 is the last day to enroll or change plans for coverage to start on January 1, 2023.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
HHA Secretary Xavier Becerra recently 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.
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.
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 six 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 one million Americans who are offered employer insurance either gain coverage or see their coverage become more affordable through the marketplace.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
