R.I. sees spike in number of people enrolling in state’s health insurance exchange

Nov. 10--Despite months of uncertainty about the future of Obamacare, new sign-ups for HealthSource RI have skyrocketed in the first week of open enrollment.

About 640 people have signed up for coverage under the state's health insurance exchange during the first seven days of enrollment. That dwarfs the 126 people who signed up during the same time frame last year, according to data provided by HealthSource RI.

Advocates of the Affordable Care Act expressed concern that repeated attempts to repeal the federal law combined with President Donald Trump's statements that the program was "dead" would dissuade people from enrolling. Now, some believe the increased attention on the program has led to more sign-ups.

HealthSource RI Executive Director Zachary Sherman said the confusion that's surrounded the program in recent months spurred HealthSource to begin its outreach efforts earlier for open enrollment. Marketing began in September rather than mid-October.

"The message that we really wanted to put out is that we're still here. We work for you. You will have access to affordable coverage in 2018," Sherman said.

Rhode Island isn't alone in seeing a spike in sign-ups. The Washington Post reported this week that the number of people who signed up nationally on the first day of open enrollment -- Nov. 1 -- doubled to about 200,000. That figure only included states that use the federal marketplace. Rhode Island is one of roughly a dozen states to run its own program.

That's afforded the state significantly more flexibility during open enrollment, Sherman said. For instance, HealthSource RI has extended open enrollment to Dec. 31. (Only those who sign up by Dec. 23 will be guaranteed coverage for Jan. 1, 2018.) States on the federal marketplace will close open enrollment on Dec. 15 after a 45-day sign up window -- half the length of previous enrollment periods -- mandated by the Trump administration.

Significant cuts have also been made to federal advertising for Obamacare. HealthSource RI, however, is maintaining the same level of marketing as in previous years, Sherman said.

The state's exchange still has been affected by the elimination of cost-sharing-reduction payments, which helped offset the cost of insurance for low-income individuals. Last month, the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner announced new premium rates between 18 and 20 percent higher on silver-level plans as a result of the subsidy cuts.

"The president's decision to end these payments has already created unnecessary turmoil and threatened the stability of our health insurance market," state Health Insurance Commissioner Marie Ganin said in a written statement.

Usually "gold" plans, have the highest monthly premiums but the lowest out-of-pocket costs. But now as insurers increased premiums to deal with subsidy losses in some cases "silver" plans, have higher monthly premiums than "gold" plans.

In light of the confusing landscape, HealthSource RI is encouraging all customers to reevaluate whether they are in the right plan. A new comparison tool is available online for customers at www.healthsourceri.com/calculator.

In all, 25,853 Rhode Islanders -- renewals combined with new sign-ups -- are enrolled for HealthSource RI coverage in 2018. The state expected to see just under 30,000 people in HealthSource RI plans for 2018. With the accelerated early sign-ups, those projections might be exceeded.

Typically, the first people who sign up for health insurance are those who access the most medical care. Younger and healthier individuals tend to wait longer to sign up.

Enrollment events offering help signing up for or renewing coverage through HealthSource RI

Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Warwick Public Library

Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel

Nov. 20 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Portsmouth Free Public Library

Nov. 28 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Cumberland Public Library

Nov. 29 from noon to 5 p.m. at the North Kingstown Free Library

Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Newport Public Library

Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick

Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Neighborhood Guild in South Kingstown

Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rogers Free Library in Bristol

Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westerly Public Library

Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woonsocket Harris Public Library

Dec. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. at the North Kingstown Free Library

Dec. 20 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Portsmouth Free Public Library

Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arnold Conference Center in Cranston

Important dates

Rhode Islanders have until Dec. 31 to sign up for coverage through the state exchange. However only those who sign up and pay by Dec. 23 are guaranteed uninterrupted coverage in 2018.

For more information

Call HealthSource RI at 1-855-840-4774

[email protected]

(401) 277-7493

On Twitter: @JenniferBogdan

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