Nearly 12.7 Million Signed Up for Health Insurance Through Open Enrollment

Approximately 12.7 million people have selected or have been re-enrolled in health coverage plans, exceeding expectations for Open Enrollment for 2016, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced.

Additionally, approximately 400,000 people signed up during open enrollment for the New York and Minnesota marketplaces through the Basic Health Program.

“Open Enrollment for 2016 is over and we are happy to report it was a success,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell. “The Health Insurance Marketplace is changing people’s lives for the better. Across the country, about 12.7 million Americans selected affordable, quality health plans for 2016 coverage, exceeding our goals. That includes over 4 million new consumers in the HealthCare.gov states who signed up for coverage this year. The Marketplace is growing and getting stronger and the ACA has become a crucial part of health care in America.”

In a more detailed look at the results of open enrollment, it was reported that there were 4 million new enrollees for coverage in HealthCare.gov states. It was also found that people were not waiting until the last minute to sign up for coverage, as was seen in prior years, instead signing up by the first deadline.

There were 2.4 million people in HealthCare.gov states who signed up for the January 1 coverage, compared with last year’s numbers, which were approximately 1.9 million.

For those with 2015 health coverage, about 7 in 10 customers came back to HealthCare.gov and selected a plan for 2016. Last year, it was reported that about half of enrollees returned to select a plan.

There was more than 3.6 million people who used the total cost calculator, provider, or drug look up tools on the web site and found them to be useful, according to HHS. Also, 2.7 million people signed up for coverage between the ages of 18 to 34, which is a higher percentage than last year.

“This shows us that this coverage matters to people, that they are taking control of their health care and they understand the value of every day that they are covered,” Burwell said. “And it also means that people are paying their premiums for a full year, instead of starting in March.”

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, more that 17.6 million Americans gained coverage through late last summer.

“More than 90% of Americans are insured. That’s the first time this has ever been true,” Burwell added. “While we won’t know how this season’s signups will precisely impact the uninsured rate until later in the year, it’s clear that, with these 4 million people who are new to Medicaid and the improving economy, we will continue to make progress.”