Thursday 18 December 2014

9.7 Million Additional Americans Have Insurance!

i've moved and am trying to get back to blogging.  forgive the sporadic posts, i miss you!  2015, this place will resurrect.  in the meantime, some good news ...


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Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Milestone Achievement: Enrollment Grows by Approximately 9.7 Million Additional Americans
Posted December 18, 2014
By Cindy Mann, Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Director of the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services

As we approach the New Year, we take time to reflect on the many individuals and families who have been helped by the Affordable Care Act. Through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the health care law continues to provide millions of Americans with much needed health coverage.

We have seen consistent growth in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment numbers throughout 2014. As of October 2014, approximately 9.7 million additional Americans were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP – a 17 percent increase over the average monthly enrollment for July through September 2013, the months before the Marketplaces first opened. These individuals have gained access to quality health care services through these programs.

We have also seen a growth in health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. As of December 12, almost 2.5 million consumers have selected plans through the Marketplace since the beginning of Open Enrollment on November 15, 2014, including both new and returning customers. And, that doesn’t even include the final three days before the deadline to enroll in coverage that starts January 1.

This is great news. But, the best news is that the number of people with health coverage continues to increase. New data released this week show that the drop in the Nation’s uninsured rate so far this year is largest over any period since the early 1970s. The uninsured rate is now at or near the lowest level recorded in data spanning 50 years. And, the number of people with health coverage is growing as Medicaid and the Marketplace continue to work.

Americans can sign up through the Marketplace between now and February 15. Enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP happens year-round and states can expand their Medicaid programs to cover more people at any time. And, even more Americans could access affordable coverage if all states take the Medicaid expansion option.

In October 2014, twenty-six states and the District of Columbia were covering residents of their state through the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage for newly eligible adult beneficiaries is fully federally paid for under the Affordable Care Act through 2016, and never less than 90 percent for the years following. This is a good deal for states. Pennsylvania will become the 27th state when coverage starts on January 1, 2015. Several other states have recently indicated their plan to pursue expansion in 2015. This is encouraging because Medicaid and CHIP enrollment in states with expanded Medicaid programs rose by over 24 percent since before the initial open enrollment in Marketplace began, in comparison to nearly 7 percent in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

The Affordable Care Act will continue to provide accessible, affordable, quality health care for millions of Americans. We remain committed to working with all states interested in providing health coverage to low-income individuals, and working toward the larger goals of high quality, affordable health coverage for all Americans.

Todays report can be found here.