Press Release
Press Release

February Wisconsin Obamacare Enrollment Update

56,436 Have Signed Up in WI: Numbers Surpass Expectations

By - Feb 13th, 2014 06:59 am

Madison – Enrollment continues to grow at a rapid pace. In Wisconsin, 56,436 people have signed up for plans in the Marketplace as of January. For the month, 15,684 additional people enrolled over the previous total enrollment of 40,752 as of Dec. 28, 2013.

New data shows the wide demand for quality, affordable health insurance, with national enrollment growing at a rapid pace, up by 53 percent in January over the three previous months combined. HHS released its enrollment numbers today for January 2014, showing that nearly 3.3 million people have signed up across the country for private health insurance plans through the federal and state Marketplaces between October 1, 2013 and February 1, 2014. January alone accounted for nearly 1.1 million enrollments in private plans.

Youth enrollment is outpacing all other age groups: Young people are signing up in higher numbers, with youth adult enrollment increasing by 65 percent in January — outpacing all other age groups combined. Enrollments among young adults grew by 65 percent in January, while all other age groups combined grew by 55 percent (when compared to the previous three month reporting period). In January, 27 percent of those who selected private plans through the Marketplaces where between 18-34 – that’s a three percent increase compared to the previous three months. In Wisconsin, people ages 18-34 now account for 20 percent of enrollees.

Youth enrollment is also consistent with Massachusetts patterns: Compare this to what was seen in Massachusetts during their first year of enrollment and the trend lines continue to look strikingly similar. It has always expected, based on these patterns, that young consumers would enroll closer to March 31, 2014, and the latest enrollment numbers reinforce that we’re on the right track. The Administration, along with outside partners, including youth organizations, athletes, celebrities, colleges and universities and many others, are working to reach as many of these young consumers as possible between now and then.

And a new national poll shows the uninsured rate continues to drop – and has been declining faster for 26-34 year olds than any other age group: According to a new Gallup poll out today: “The percentage of uninsured Americans fell to 16.0% so far in the first quarter of 2014 from 17.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013…The percentage of uninsured 26- to 34-year-olds, which has been dropping since the third quarter of 2013, is now 25.7%. The uninsured rate among 26- to 34-year-olds has been declining faster than it has among any other age group. The uninsured rate among 18- to 25-year-olds declined slightly so far in 2014 to 23.3%.

The uninsured rate for this age group has generally been steady since December 2010, after the Affordable Care Act provision allowing young adults under age 26 to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans took effect. Prior to that provision’s implementation, 18- to 25-year-olds were the most likely to lack health insurance among all age groups.” [Gallup, 2/12/14]

“With 47 days of open enrollment left – our top priority is reaching every individual in Wisconsin who needs access to quality, affordable insurance to help them sign up.,” said Jason Rae, spokesperson for Protect Your Care.  “We will continue to work with groups across Wisconsin to get the word out and put on enrollment events throughout the remaining open enrollment period.”

Protect YourCare
Contact: Jason Rae
(414) 344-1733

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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Comments

  1. jimfitzsr says:

    I wonder what catch phrase the Republicans will use since they made such an issue of
    ‘if you like you insurance, you can keep it”. Any plan they develop to replace obamacare will not be able to cover all of the folks who will be enrolled in medicaid or obamacare!

    what phrase will they use “we dont like your insurance, so you cannot keep it”!

  2. Kyle says:

    “In Wisconsin, people ages 18-34 now account for 20 percent of enrollees.”

    You highlight this like it’s a huge accomplishment, but isn’t it about half of what’s needed to keep prices stable? Also, how many of those are 18-25 year olds going back onto existing insurance?

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