Carriers are expecting a big surge in plan enrollment through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's exchanges this upcoming enrollment period.
They're expecting at least a 20 percent increase in enrollments, while some carriers anticipate enrollment to double in some states, according to a Reuters report.
Reuters interviewed six private and not-for-profit insurers on enrollment predictions. Some carriers told Reuters they've doubled or tripled staffing to handle applicants, while others said they're experiencing a 30 percent increase in customer calls in October.
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Open enrollment runs Nov. 15-Feb. 15.
Specifically, Reuters reported:
- Florida-based Health First Health Plans Inc. expects to more than double customers in PPACA-compliant plans from the 4,400 it signed up this year.
- In Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross hopes to add about 30,000 new customers to the 165,000 it signed up for 2014 plans.
- Houston-based Community Health Choice expects to enroll 15,000 to 40,000 more individuals, after enrolling fewer than 500 last year.
The positive predictions are a far departure from last year when enrollment figures were unclear and many carriers sat out on exchange participation in its opening year. Last month, federal health officials said nearly 80 new carriers will participate in PPACA's marketplace this year, increasing the number of participating carriers by 25 percent. In total, 77 new carriers will offer coverage when open enrollment for PPACA begins Nov. 15.
The nation's largest carrier, UnitedHealth, said it will be participating in at least two dozen states after selling in just five this year.
Despite Healthcare.gov's tumultuous rollout, more than 7 million people signed up for PPACA plans in 2014.
According to Kaiser Family Foundation, many more people are pessimistic about PPACA, with 47 percent viewing it unfavorably vs. 35 percent supporting it.
Also read: Top 3 consumer worries about 2015 enrollment
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