Record 14.5 Million People Enrolled in ACA Marketplace During Open Enrollment Period

A record 14.5 million people enrolled in Marketplace plans during the open enrollment period, according to a press release by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The total number includes 10.3 million people across 33 states who signed up on HealthCare.gov as well as 4.2 million people who enrolled in state-based Marketplace plans.

Average monthly premiums were 23% lower during the 2022 open enrollment period compared to 2021. The press release indicated 3.2 million (32%) enrollees who signed up for coverage on HealthCare.gov chose plans with monthly premiums of $10 or less.

A total of 5.8 million people nationwide gained new coverage under the ACA, including 2.8 million and 3 million people during the 2021 and 2022 open enrollment periods, respectively.

HHS credited increased outreach and funding by the American Rescue Plan for the record-breaking numbers. According to the press release, HHS, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), quadrupled their number of navigators, who are certified to help consumers understand and select a plan. HHS and CMS also held over 1800 outreach events in public spaces such as libraries and county fairs.

“Investing in financial assistance and outreach allows more people to have access to the care that they need,” said Chiquita Brooks La-Sure, CMS administrator, in the press release.

The open enrollment period began November 1, 2021 and ended January 15, 2022. The deadline in California, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island is January 31, 2022, with some parts of the country—the District of Columbia, Colorado, Maryland, and New York—allowing people to continue signing up after the deadline due to COVID-19.

Reference:
Biden-Harris administration announces 14.5 million Americans signed up for affordable health care during historic open enrollment period. News release. US Department of Health and Human Services; January 27, 2022. Accessed January 28, 2022. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/01/27/biden-harris-administration-announces-14-5-million-americans-signed-affordable-health-care-during-historic-open-enrollment-period.html