“New year, new health insurance” appears to be the mindset of many District residents. New health insurance enrollment through DC Health Link– DC’s health insurance exchange– is up nearly 50 percent over the same time last year. Over 4,100 new customers completed applications and selected health plans as of December 19, compared with 2,800 new customers a year ago.
The exchange is also seeing a greater mix of ages among enrollees, which is essential for creating a more balanced risk pool and keeping health care premiums and other costs more affordable. Customers under the age of 35 make up 60 percent of this past year’s first-time customers, compared with just under half of returning customers.
These numbers will continue to grow as individuals seeking insurance hurry to finalize applications before the January 31 open enrollment deadline.
These latest enrollment numbers underscore how important having health coverage is to people who live, work, and do business in DC– and how important DC Health Link is to helping them get it. As Congress begins discussions on the future of the Affordable Care Act, District policymakers should preserve this vital resource. About 290,000 people have used DC Health Link to find insurance in the last three years, including 40,000 people purchasing private insurance through the marketplace, 176,000 who were determined to be eligible for Medicaid, and 72,000 who found coverage through the DC Health Link Small Business Marketplace (SHOP), which includes individuals in small businesses in the District and members of Congress and their staff.
With its abundant health insurance options, DC’s uninsured rate is now one of the lowest in the nation. Working to protect these gains should be a priority. Federal health reform has given consumers access to a critical set of health benefits regardless of the insurance plan they choose, including preventative and wellness services such as routine checkups or vaccinations, emergency services, maternity care, and mental health and substance use disorder services. What’s more, consumers can enroll in health plans no matter what their health status is– a key provision of health reform referred to as guaranteed issue.
Open enrollment runs until January 31 for individuals applying for private insurance, or year-round for small businesses or those applying for Medicaid. For more information, check out the Health Plan Comparison Tool for 2017, or log on to dchealthlink.com directly.
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