HHS: 9.5 million enrolled in 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace

About 9.5 million consumers selected or were re-enrolled in a health plan during the first two months of open enrollment in the 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace, according to report released yesterday by the Department of Health and Human Services. The total includes 7.1 million people in 37 states using the HealthCare.gov platform, and 2.4 million people in 14 states using their own marketplace platforms. Among people selecting plans using HealthCare.gov, 42% were new consumers and 58% were re-enrolling in Marketplace coverage. The report includes data on the distribution of plan selections by gender, age, metal level and financial assistance status, as well as the number of applicants deemed eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Among people selecting plans using HealthCare.gov, about 87% qualify for premium tax credits and/or cost-sharing reductions and 2.5 million are under age 35, HHS said. Open enrollment in the 2015 Marketplace runs through Feb. 15.