Record Number Signing Up for Affordable Care Act Health Insurance
More than 14.2 million people have selected 2022 health insurance plans offered under the Affordable Care Act since open enrollment began on November 1, 2021, according to federal health officials.
This number includes more than 10 million people in the 33 states using the federal marketplaces on HealthCare.gov. The 17 states and the District of Columbia with state-based marketplace platforms reported 4.2 million have enrolled.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra released the numbers in issuing a reminder for Americans to sign up on Healthcare.gov before the January 15, 2022 open enrollment deadline. The Biden Administration extended this year’s HealthCare.gov OEP until January 15 for coverage starting on February 1, 2022.
A new HHS report shows the majority of consumers enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage on HealthCare.gov have deductibles under $1,000 thanks to the ACA’s cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). CSRs are generally available to consumers with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty line (for example, for 2022, for most states $32,200 for a single adult and $66,250 for a family of four).
Financial assistance under the American Rescue Plan has meant lower deductibles for many enrollees as well.
“Health coverage should not make or break anyone’s bank, particularly amidst a once-in-a-generation pandemic,” said Becerra.
Source: Health and Human Services