Leaders of Connecticut's Affordable Care Act exchanges reported record numbers of people enrolling in health insurance during the open enrollment period, which ended Monday.
A total of 129,000 people enrolled in eligible health plans in 2024, compared to 108,142 people enrolled during last year's enrollment period. This year's program ran from November 1st to January 15th. For those who registered between November 1st and December 15th, coverage will begin from January 1st. For those who registered between December 16th and January 15th, coverage will begin from February 1st. 1.
People also enrolled in dental insurance and Medicaid during open enrollment, but residents can enroll in Medicaid year-round if they meet eligibility requirements. During the enrollment period, 49,969 people enrolled in Medicaid and 14,050 residents are currently enrolled in dental insurance.
Additionally, the state's Covered Connecticut program currently has 27,393 people enrolled in eligible health plans. The initiative extends free health insurance to individuals and families with qualifying incomes through the exchange.
Officials at the Connecticut exchange, known as Access Health CT, said enrollment this year was the highest since the market opened in 2013.
“Achieving these enrollment numbers requires the dedication and hard work of many people,” said Access Health CEO James Michel. “Thanks to our staff, community partners, our partnership with the Department of Human Services, brokers and mentors at the Broker Academy, the legislative community, and many others, this open enrollment was extremely successful.”
Access Health leaders attribute the increased turnout in part to Medicaid “relaxation.” That's because the federal pandemic policy that guaranteed Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents ended this year. They also credited the new wave of brokers and advocacy efforts.
“AHCT has trained and supported new brokers across the state to assist residents with the application process. Targeted marketing and advocacy campaigns have targeted underserved communities and uninsured populations. “Our efforts to focus on areas with high numbers of patients have contributed to the increase in enrollment,” Access Health officials said in a statement. “Medicaid repeal, which began April 1, 2023, also affected enrollment in 2024. … Residents will no longer be covered by health insurance.” [Medicaid] You may be eligible for financial assistance to enroll in a health insurance plan. ”
Starting last spring, exchange officials held an “expanded number” of outreach and enrollment fairs to help provide relief for those affected by Medicaid.
“Connecticut is really showing that the Affordable Care Act works,” Sen. Matt Lesser said in a statement Thursday. “This year, many people found themselves eligible for completely free coverage under our new Covered CT program, thanks to funding from President Joe Biden and our Congressional delegation. And insurance premiums for middle-class families have gone down.”
Even though the cost of many health insurance plans is expected to rise this year, enrollment is increasing. In September, state insurance officials approved increases for individual and group insurance. Insurers said they were seeking rate increases, citing rising prescription drug prices, increased demand for medical services and the impact of Medicaid repeal.
The state approved rate hikes of an average of 9.4% for individual health insurance and 7.4% for small group insurance.
Jenna Carleso is a reporter for the Connecticut Mirror (https://ctmirror.org/). Copyright 2023 © Connecticut Mirror.
