HHS Report: ACA’s Insurance Exchanges Enroll 12.2 million people

A report released on Sept. 15 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reveals that the COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) increased enrollment in the Affordable Care Act’s federal and state-run insurance exchanges to 12.2 million people. The release states that “A new report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows that more than 2.8 million people newly gained access to affordable healthcare under the Biden-Harris Administration through the 2021 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) on HealthCare.gov and State-based Marketplaces. With the gains made during the SEP, there are now a record-breaking 12.2 million people enrolled in the federal and state marketplaces. Additionally, there is historic enrollment today through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) with over 82.3 million people relying on these programs as of April 2021.”

Further, “The American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) expanded premium tax credits reduced premiums, increased savings, and provided consumers access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage through the Marketplaces:

• Over 90 percent of consumers who enrolled during the SEP saw their premiums reduced due to these tax credits. 
• Existing consumers saved an average of $67 per consumer, per month, in premium savings.
• 48% of new HealthCare.gov consumers received a monthly premium of $10 or less after tax credits.
• The median deductible for new HealthCare.gov consumers fell by over 90 percent.”

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that “There has never been a more critical time to ensure quality health coverage for all Americans. Thanks to the Special Enrollment Period, we were able to help a record-breaking number of people across the country get covered, including those in rural and underserved communities. No one should have to lose their life savings to gain life-saving care.”

“CMS also reports historic Medicaid and CHIP enrollment. The April 2021 Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Trends Snapshot report shows that over 82.3 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in April 2021, an increase of 580,591 individuals, compared to March 2021,” the report continues. “Since February 2020, the month before the COVID-19 public health emergency was declared, enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP increased by more than 11.6 million individuals or 16.4 percent.”

The report concludes that consumers who do not have coverage for 2021 are able to find out if they are eligible at healthcare.gov, as SEPs cover individuals who experience life-changing events such as marriage, having a baby, or loss of other coverage.