Enrollment Numbers Increase Significantly, But Many More Texans Are Still Eligible to Enroll

In a short month’s time, the number of Texans who have selected a healthcare insurance plan through the Marketplace has increased by 57% -- from 118,532 Texans in January to 207,546 enrolled in February, according to a new study released this month by the Department of Health & Human Services. This increase in enrollment was accompanied by a notable increase in the proportion of young adults (ages 18-34) who have selected a Marketplace plan. The percentage rose from 24% to 27% over the last month. Along with the age group of ages 55-64, young adults now have the highest percentage of Marketplace enrollees. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, this growth has been consistent with expectations.

Other notable characteristics of Texans who have selected a Marketplace plan included:

• Gender
  • 56% Female
  • 44% Male

• Plan Selections
  • 62% Silver
  • 21% Bronze
  • 11% Gold
  • 4% Platinum
  • 1% Catastrophic
    • Young adults (18-34) were the largest age group selecting this plan

• Financial Assistance (subsidies)
  • 51% of Texans eligible to use Marketplace are also eligible for financial assistance
  • 79% of Marketplace-enrolled Texans received financial assistance
    • Increase from 74% in January
    • 21% purchased plans without any assistance

• Medicaid/CHIP eligibility
  • 80,368 determined eligible by Marketplace

Despite increases in Texans receiving healthcare, these 207,546 Texans who have selected a health plan through Marketplace are only 35% of the 586,342 Texans who applied and were found eligible to enroll. We can only conclude there is still work to be done, much of which will begin with educating Texans about the options available to them with the Marketplace.

Fortunately, Texans have mobilized across the state, advocating for healthcare expansion and educating the public about options currently available to them. Organizers like Enroll America and partners of the Texas Well and Healthy campaign have made it their mission to help Texans find coverage and to answer questions about finding local Marketplace navigation assistance. With the number of Texans selecting Marketplace health plans increasing exponentially each month, we are optimistic that the number of insured Texans will continue to grow.

Marketplace open enrollment for 2014 is nearing its end on March 31, 2014, but passionate Texans will continue to push for education and awareness of the opportunities available through the Marketplace. When Marketplace enrollment opens again on Nov. 15, 2014, even more Texans will be ready to select a Marketplace health plan for their families.