HHS information shows that 1.9 million new customers have been enrolled in federal exchanges
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that this year’s open enrollment period is off to a good start. The federal agency, which is responsible for the deployment of the Affordable Care Act alongside the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has released information concerning enrollment throughout the country. As of December 19, 1.9 million new customers have enrolled for coverage in exchanges in 37 states. Another 4.5 million people have renewed the coverage that they acquired through these exchanges last year.
Government aims to have 9.1 million people enrolled in exchanges by February 2015
The federal government aims to have 9.1 million people enrolled in exchanges by the end of the open enrollment period in February of next year. HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell notes that there is still a long way to go until this goal is met, but believes that exchanges are capable of achieving this goal in the next few months. Exchanges have been working well for consumers during the latest open enrollment period, benefiting from the measures that the federal government has taken to improve its exchange infrastructure.
Improved exchange infrastructure makes it possible for millions to find the coverage they need
Last year, HealthCare.gov, which serves as the official exchange structure for 37 states, experienced major technical difficulties, which made it impossible for millions of people to purchase health insurance coverage. State-run exchanges managed to fare better, allowing people to find the coverage that they needed during the last open enrollment period. Over the past several months, the federal government has been working to improve the health insurance exchange infrastructure. During this open enrollment period, the number of people experiencing technical problems has diminished significantly.
Subsidies help make health insurance coverage more affordable for consumers
The HHS notes that 8 in 10 consumers enrolled in health insurance exchanges are receiving subsidies from the federal government for their coverage. Without these subsidies, millions of people would not be able to afford the coverage they have through these exchanges. States have been working to promote the availability of subsidies in order to entice consumers into enrolling in exchanges.