1 million sign up in NC for health insurance

A record 1,027,950 North Carolinians signed up for health insurance coverage through the federal exchange last year.

Individual plans are offered under the federal Affordable Care Act, commonly known as "Obamacare."

The plans typically cover people who are self-employed, unemployed or not offered health insurance coverage by their employer. The plans are federally regulated.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported Wednesday that North Carolina ranked fourth in enrollment among the 32 states participating in the exchange, as well as fifth overall. The enrollment period was Nov. 1 through Jan. 16.

The 2024 final total was more than double the enrollment from just three years ago.

Coverage began on Jan. 1 for those enrolled before Dec. 15. Individuals who enrolled by Jan. 16 will have coverage start Feb. 1.

Individual rates vary based on location, age, subsidy amount and plan.

Subsidies are available for those with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. That represents an income range of $15,060 to $60,240 for an individual, and $31,200 to $124,800 for a family of four.

National enrollment reached 16.4 million, including 4.23 million new enrollees.

When including the 18 state-based exchanges, there were 21.31 million participants nationwide, including 5.04 million new enrollees.

Florida and Texas, both federal marketplace participants, was first and second at 4.21 million and 3.48 million, respectively. California, with a state marketplace, was third at 1.74 million, while Georgia, a federal marketplace, was fourth at 1.3 million.

"A record number of people in the United States have health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act's Marketplace — more than at any point in history," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

"More people with access to preventive care means a healthier country and lower health care costs across the board."

Meanwhile, the N.C. Department of Human Services reported Tuesday that 314,101 North Carolinians have enrolled through the expanded Medicaid expansion platform as of Jan. 12.

An estimated 600,000 residents between ages 19 and 64 became eligible as part of North Carolina becoming the 41st expansion state on Dec. 1.

NCDHHS said about 278,000 North Carolinians were enrolled automatically on Dec. 1 through their participation in the state Medicaid's limited Family Planning program.

Over the next six weeks, 36,101 enrolled statewide, including 8,412 enrollees in the 14-county region of the Triad and northwest N.C.

According to state health officials, expansion provides medical coverage to people making under about $20,120 a year. Likewise, a family of three earning under about $34,000 would be eligible, as well as a family of six earning under $55,586.

People who qualify can sign up at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov, at their county Department of Social Services, or through community support initiatives.

"Medicaid expansion is going extremely well for the state, and we are very pleased with enrollees so far," DHHS said. "Reminder, the 600,000 estimate is based off a two-year projection."

Health care services include: primary care; inpatient and outpatient hospital care; maternity and postpartum; vision and hearing; prescription drug benefits; behavioral health; preventive and wellness; and medical equipment, devices and therapies.