ACA individual marketplaces finds growth of enrollment, modest increase in premiums, report finds

A new analysis by McKinsey finds that the individual health insurance market is seeing a period of growth of enrollment, while premiums have increased only moderately.

The report comes at a time of change as the country transitions out of the COVID pandemic and seeks to find a new normal in a range of health care areas. Over the past few years, Congress funded an expansion of Medicaid and aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — including extending more generous subsidies for those on the individual market. As the federal government ends the public health emergency enacted to address the pandemic, some Medicaid aid will be phased out this year, but the individual market subsidies will continue until 2025.

The new findings mark the 10-year anniversary of the launch of the individual marketplaces, the article notes. “The individual market has remained fluid during this time, with insurer participation, pricing, and plans changing from year to year. Consumer participation increased 25% to approximately 16 million from 2020 to 2022, coincident with extended enrollment periods and enhanced subsidies implemented under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.”