In the final days of the open enrollment period, sign-up levels rose exorbitantly, serving as the primary means by which the 8 million figure was reached, newly released analysis suggests.
Enrollments in federally facilitated marketplaces increased 111 percent in the final month of the sign-up period, which stretched from October to the end of March, according to new data released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, in partnership exchanges – which are run jointly by state and federal officials – enrollments jumped 89 percent, and by 60 percent in state-based marketplaces.
As a considerable percentage of potential enrollees, Vermont represented the largest share of sign-ups, averaging 85 percent, RWJF revealed. The Green Mountain State operates at a state-based exchange. Other states where rates were elevated include California, Rhode Island, Idaho and Connecticut, all state-based marketplaces.
Katherine Hempstead, coverage expert at RWJF, indicated that the surge in enrollments likely wouldn't have been possible without the marketing efforts made by Affordable Care Act supporters.
"As we gather and analyze more data, we'll have a better understanding of exactly who is enrolled, who still remains uninsured and what tactics may prove most successful in future enrollment efforts," Hempstead told BenefitsPro.
Still, there is some question as to who qualifies as an enrollee among those who don't already have employee benefits. According to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, through mid-April, slightly more than two-thirds of individuals had yet to make their first month's premium payment, which ensures policyholders will have their medical services covered in the event they're sick or have to see the doctor for some other health reason. When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its latest enrollment numbers, it noted that 8 million people had "selected" marketplace plans.
HHS has indicated it doesn't have information on how many people have paid for their coverage.
