HHS expects 13.8 million to select Marketplace coverage during open enrollment

The Department of Health and Human Services expects 13.8 million people to select a health plan during 2017 open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplaces, about one million more than this year, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said today. An average 10.4 million consumers had an active Marketplace policy between January and June, meaning they selected a plan and paid their premium, according to a report released today on 2016 enrollment. In January, 84% of enrollees were receiving an advance premium tax credit and 56% were receiving cost sharing reductions. About 425,000 households later had their tax credit or cost sharing reduction adjusted due to unresolved issues with their income data, and 113,000 had their coverage terminated due to unresolved citizenship or immigration issues, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said. Open enrollment in the 2017 Marketplaces begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. For coverage starting Jan. 1, consumers must sign up by Dec. 15.