Contrary to the federal exchange, several of the state-based marketplaces – such as in California, Connecticut and Kentucky – have reported strong numbers of people applying for health insurance. But, according to a recent study performed by advisory services company Avalere Health, the pace of individuals signing up for coverage has been slow.
As of Nov. 10, only 49,100 individuals have enrolled in a private health plan through one of the 12 state-based exchanges that went live Oct. 1. That's approximately 3 percent of the way to the number of enrollees the Congressional Budget Office predicted would sign up for coverage.
Additionally, if the present pace continues, just 1.4 million people will have signed up by the end of 2014.
Dan Mendelson, CEO of Avalere Health, stressed that enrollment for new programs almost always start off slowly, often taking several months before picking up some semblance of momentum.
"While initial enrollment has been lagging, with aggressive marketing there is still time for awareness of the program to grow and participation to begin," said Mendelson.
When Medicare Part D became available in January 2006, few people signed up in the early going. That changed once coverage went into effect. Avalere Health noted that two-thirds of those who voluntarily enrolled did so once Medicare Part D started paying benefits.
With the vast majority of Americans getting employee benefits rather than buying them on their own, the Department of Health and Human Services is expected to reveal how many people have signed up for coverage through the federal health exchange. The Wall Street Journal reported that only 50,000 have signed up, though HHS officials did not confirm that total.
