Enrollment in healthcare plans through the public exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has exceeded 4.2 million, according to a recent announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Importantly, adults aged 18-34 made up 27% of the enrollees in coverage through the exchanges in February, up from 24% in the first three months of enrollment, which began October 1, 2013.
People in 18-34 age group are critical to the success of the ACA, because they are generally healthier and use insurance less often. The numbers of young people enrolled in coverage through the ACA (25%) is lower than the Obama Administration’s target of having this group make up one-third of all enrollees. Additionally, the Administration had hoped seven million people in total would sign up through the public exchanges, a number that is very unlikely given the looming March 31 enrollment deadline.
A significant portion of enrollees come from California—the state reported that more than three million people in California have enrolled in either Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange, or Medi-Cal, the state-run healthcare program for low-income individuals.
Although the overall enrollment numbers are lower than expected, a surge of enrollees is expected as the March deadline approaches.
Californians who are currently uninsured have just a couple of weeks left to enroll in Covered California and avoid a possible penalty on their 2015 tax return. Call the exchange-certified agents at Benefit Packages to find out whether you qualify for cost-sharing subsidies and tax breaks to help pay for coverage, and for help enrolling.