252,792 in NJ Signed Up For Coverage through Health Insurance Marketplace

On Feb. 15, 2015, the second year of Open Enrollment came to a close with 252,792 New Jersey consumers selecting a plan or being automatically reenrolled in quality, affordable coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Nationwide, about 11.4 million Americans selected Marketplace plans or were automatically re-enrolled, including about 8.6 million people in the states that use the HealthCare.gov platform (such as New Jersey), and about 2.8 million in the State Based Marketplaces based on those states’ preliminary data.
“We had a strong open enrollment. About 11.4 million Americans signed up or were automatically re-enrolled in affordable, quality coverage nationwide since November 15,” HHS Secretary M. Sylvia Burwell said. “And in the final day, more new consumers signed up for health coverage than on any other day this Open Enrollment or last. In the 37 states using HealthCare.gov, nearly 8 in 10 consumers had the option of getting covered for as little as $100 a month or less with financial assistance that lowered the cost of their monthly premium. The Affordable Care Act is now an important part of the everyday lives of millions of Americans. They finally have the financial and health security that comes with affordable health coverage. They now can fill prescriptions and take their children to the doctor. Some no longer have to choose between paying for health care and paying their utility bill. While we have more work to do, the numbers tell the story, and the story is clear. The Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses, and taxpayers are all better off as a result.”
Today’s Weekly Enrollment Snapshot also includes data for select local areas through Feb. 15 –
• 248,265 consumers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (PA, NJ, and DE portions of MSA only) local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan
• 192,481 consumers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (NJ and PA portions of MSA only) local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan
• 30,298 consumers in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan
Officials from HHS are available for print, radio and television interviews to discuss Open Enrollment in your state. Satellite TV interviews are also available.
To request an interview with an official from HHS, email press@cms.hhs.gov.
Five Facts about Open Enrollment in New Jersey:
1. At the end of Open Enrollment on Feb. 15, 252,792 New Jersey consumers had selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled.
2. 83 percent of New Jersey consumers who were signed up as of Jan. 30 qualify for an average tax credit of $309 per month through the Marketplace.
3. In New Jersey, consumers could choose from 6 issuers in the Marketplace in 2015 – up from 4 in 2014.
4. New Jersey consumers could choose from an average of 45 health plans in their county for 2015 coverage – up from 26 in 2014.
5. 61 percent of New Jersey Marketplace enrollees as of December 2014 could have obtained coverage for $100 or less after any applicable tax credits in 2015.
About the Weekly Enrollment Snapshot:
Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplaces began on Nov. 15, 2014 and ended on Feb. 15, 2015. There are some consumers who were stuck “in line” leading up to the deadline – they will have this week, until Feb. 22, to complete their enrollment. Consumers can visit HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325) to find out if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
The data reported today are preliminary, point in time figures that could fluctuate based on consumers changing or canceling plans, having a change in status such as new job or marriage, or because of ongoing special enrollment periods. Also included in today’s figures are a number of individuals who had 2014 coverage but cannot continue Marketplace coverage in 2015 because they did not provide the necessary documentation of their citizenship or immigration status. They will be removed in future reports after their coverage ends on Feb. 28. To have their coverage effectuated, consumers need to pay their first month’s health plan premium (today’s report does not include effectuated enrollment).
MSAs are geographic areas designated by the Office of Management and Budget and have populations of at least 50,000. A number of MSAs cross state lines. In the cases where MSAs cross into states using their own enrollment platforms, only data from the portions of a MSA using the HealthCare.gov platform are included.