ACA enrollment hits record high of 21.3M

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a record 21.3 million people selected an Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace plan during the 2024 open enrollment period. Total plan selections include more than 5 million people — about a fourth — who are new to the marketplaces and 16 million people who renewed their coverage. Open enrollment continues in four states and Washington, D.C., through Jan. 31.

Four in five consumers who obtained health insurance through HealthCare.gov were able to find health care coverage for $10 or less per month for plan year 2024 after subsidies, CMS reported.

Compared to last year's open enrollment period, nearly 4.2 million more individuals with household incomes less than 250% of the federal poverty level (about $75,000 per year for a family of four) enrolled in 2024 coverage. Marketplace coverage has also been critical for many people transitioning from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program as states conduct eligibility renewals, which restarted last year. As of Dec. 31, 2023, CMS data show that 2.4 million plan selections in states that use HealthCare.gov, or approximately 15%, were made by individuals who were previously enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

The federal 2024 Marketplace open enrollment period ran from November 1, 2023, to January 16, 2024, for states using the HealthCare.gov platform. State-based marketplace enrollment deadlines vary.

Coverage opportunities remain available now that the annual open enrollment period has ended. Individuals eligible for Medicaid or CHIP may enroll in coverage anytime year-round. For those no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, a special enrollment period is available to enroll in Marketplace coverage. Additionally, eligible individuals with household incomes less than 150% of the federal poverty level (approximately $22,000/year for an individual and $45,000/year for families of four) can enroll in marketplace coverage anytime through a special enrollment period. Consumers who experience a change of life circumstance — such as marriage, birth, adoption, or loss of qualifying health coverage — may also be eligible for a special enrollment period.

Marketplace Enrollment Snapshot Overview:

To view the marketplace enrollment snapshot report and see how enrollment is broken down by state, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/marketplace-2024-open-enrollment-period-report-final-national-snapshot