More Mississippians sign up for Obamacare, bucking national trends

Dec. 21--TUPELO -- Even though national enrollment numbers are down, Mississippi saw a significant increase in people signing up for health insurance through healthcare.gov.

Based on preliminary figures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 88,000 Mississippians sought health insurance for 2019 through the federal exchange.

"This is an increase of 12 percent over last year's numbers," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney in a statement. "It is likely that consumers will continue to access individual coverage through the Exchange so long as tax subsidies remain available."

Nationally, about 8.5 million people signed up by the end of open enrollment ahead of the Dec. 15 deadline. That is down about 4 percent compared to 8.8 million who signed up last year. It is the second year national sign up numbers have dropped. The federal exchange covers 39 states.

Mississippi currently has only one insurer -- Magnolia Health -- available on the exchange, but the company offers policies in all 82 counties.

Even though there has been less funding for outreach, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program executive director Roy Mitchell thinks the word is getting out that the Obamacare is a good deal.

"I think it was largely word of mouth...Mississippians are getting quality, affordable health insurance through the marketplace," Mitchell said. "We see the stigma many tried to create around the marketplace is apparently gone."

About 90 percent of Mississippians enrolled through the marketplace are getting tax credits, Mitchell said.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma attributed the national decrease to a better economy.

"With the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, it's possible that more Americans have employer based coverage, and don't need exchange plans," she said in statement.

There was a surge during the last days of enrollment, as there has been in previous years, CMS said.

A federal judge's Dec. 14 ruling that ACA was unconstitutional does not affect 2019 insurance.

michaela.morris@journalinc.com

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