ACA sees jump in Tennessee enrollees
Tennesseans got busy signing up for health insurance on the federal exchange from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5.
The state saw the number of people enrolled jump from 62,922 to 88,007 in just a week's span — a stunning increase in enrollment.
An average of 3,583 people across the state signed up each day of that week, according to new numbers from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Federal officials said open enrollment numbers can't be compared year over year because of changes in enrollment season dates. Tennessee, Louisiana and South Carolina each have to-date enrollments that top where they were Dec. 15, 2014.
So here's how the enrollment figure stacks up with one other figure, keeping in mind the enrollment season runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 this time, as opposed to Nov. 15, 2014, to Feb. 15, 2015. And the first major deadline — Dec. 15 is the cutoff for most people who want plans to start on Jan. 1 — is still six days away.
- 87,137 people selected plans Nov. 15, 2014-Dec. 15, 2014, which included the rush to get coverage in place on New Year's Day.
Kevin Counihan, CEO of CMS' health insurance marketplaces, said he attributes the jump in enrollees to people recognizing the importance of having health insurance and wanting "the peace of mind they feel for themselves and their families."
Music Health Alliance has seen the number of people seeking assistance in enrolling quadruple, said Tatum Allsep, founder and executive director of the nonprofit that helps musicians access health care.
Allsep, who is also selecting plans for her family for the first time, said the people coming in appear healthier than in years past when people who needed insurance to manage disease signed up.
"This year? Much healthier people," Allsep said. "It's families who were really sitting and waiting to see if this was really going to stick around."
Allsep said rate increases are driving people toward BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee's E network, which is its most limited network, and Bronze plans on the exchange.
BCBST is getting the lion's share of enrollees that come to Music Health Alliance, in part because the E network has access to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Allsep said.
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Why do these figures matter? Because consumers, insurers, state and federal governments and health care providers and executives are paying close attention to this season.
Reach Holly Fletcher at 615-259-8287 or on Twitter @hollyfletcher.
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ACA 101: A guide to getting enrollment help
Resources
• Check out the plans for yourself at healthcare.gov/
• If you want help, you can contact Get Covered Tennessee online or on the phone to schedule an appointment with someone in your area to help you for free.
• Go to http://www.getcoveredtenn.org/ or call 1-844-644-5443.
Important dates
- Dec. 15 is the deadline for enrolling in coverage to start on Jan. 1.
- Jan. 15 is the last day to get insurance to start on Feb. 1.
- Jan. 31 is the last day of open enrollment.
Currently insured by Community Health Alliance?
Community Health Alliance will no longer offer insurance plans as of Jan. 1. You will need to enroll with a different insurer.