Despite Brisk Pace Of ACA Sign-Ups, Final Numbers Will Likely Lag Due To Shorter Enrollment Period

Reuters: Sign-Ups Pick Up In Week Five Of 2018 Obamacare Open Enrollment: U.S.
The number of people signing up for 2018 Obamacare plans picked up significantly during the fifth week of open enrollment, a U.S. government agency reported on Wednesday, but the number of participants appears to be falling short of last year's numbers with just over a week of enrollment left. For the week ended Dec. 2, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said 823,180 people signed up for 2018 Obamacare individual insurance in the 39 states that use the federal government website Healthcare.gov. (Abutaleb, 12/6)

The Associated Press: Health Law Sign-Ups Seen As Falling Short Though More Enroll
Americans are signing up in growing numbers for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized health insurance, the government said Wednesday. But with enrollment season cut in half and just over a week to go, experts say the final tally will likely fall short. About 3.6 million people signed up through Dec. 2 in states served by the federal HealthCare.gov website, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That's about 20 percent higher than the comparable period last year. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 12/6)

The Washington Post: Enrollment In ACA Marketplaces Brisk Yet Lags Last Year’s Total As Deadline Nears
The 3.6 million figure is half of the total at the comparable point in the sign-up period for 2017 coverage, according to an analysis by the Washington-based consulting firm Avalere Health. To reach the 9.2 million enrollees that states relying on the federal marketplace had by the final deadline, a huge surge of people would need to take action by the time the season concludes on Dec. 15 or be automatically re-enrolled just afterward. (Goldstein, 12/6)

The Hill: 3.6 Million People Signed Up For ObamaCare Plans In One Month
The strong numbers so far come despite cuts the Trump administration made to ObamaCare's advertising and outreach budget. The initial surge has also put the administration, which has long claimed the health-care law is failing, in a difficult spot. (Hellmann, 12/6)

CQ: States Upbeat on Health Exchange Enrollment Outlook
Enrollment in the state health insurance exchanges is looking healthier than on the federal platform as local officials deploy targeted advertisements and allow for later deadlines. Many states embraced the flexibility that comes with running their own exchange by maintaining a longer enrollment period than the six-week window established this year by the Trump administration. State exchanges have significantly more control over enrollment than states that rely on HealthCare.gov, including the ability to set deadlines. Open enrollment on the federal HealthCare.gov website ends Dec. 15, but states have deadlines as late as Jan. 31. (Clason, 12/6)

Nashville Tennessean: Influx Of Shoppers Expected For Early Obamacare Deadline
The reality of an early deadline for individual health insurance is hitting shoppers and navigators are bracing for a busy final nine days of the Obamacare open enrollment season. Tatum Allsep, executive director at Music Health Alliance, isn't sure the team will be able to get to everyone who wants help picking a plan between now and Dec. 15. They are working on a tip sheet so people can have a resource to use on their own. (Fletcher, 12/6)

In related news —

Politico: Politico Survey: Insurers On Pace To Record Obamacare Profits For First Time
Insurers have finally figured out how to make money in the Obamacare markets: Charge more. After taking a beating for three years, health plans jacked up their rates for 2017, with the average premium on the most popular products rising more than 20 percent. That created sticker shock for many Obamacare customers while putting many insurers on pace to record profits this year for the first time, according to a POLITICO analysis of 31 regional Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, many of which dominate Obamacare markets in their states. (Demko, 12/7)

Reuters: Obamacare Insurance Options Dwindle For Neediest U.S. Patients
Josh Brookhart has four health insurers to choose from in Seattle's King County for 2018, more than many Americans like him who buy coverage on the Obamacare individual market. Yet none of the plans cover all the complex medical care needed for his seven-year-old son, Gabriel. (12/7)

Georgia Health News: When You Like Your Health Plan . . .  But It’s No Longer Available
Kathy Brooke of Smyrna is facing a major hassle at a time in her life when she wants fewer problems, not more. The recently diagnosed cancer patient is going to have to get a new doctor at the start of the new year. Many consumers — whether with work-based coverage or government insurance — face the prospect of switching physicians during benefits Open Enrollment season. It can be an emotional time for someone who’s had a longtime relationship with a trusted doctor. For many people, the stress is real, even if the change ends up working out fine. (Miller, 12/6)

Kaiser Health News: Churning, Confusion And Disruption — The Dark Side Of Marketplace Coverage
Cyndee Weston can barely remember the last time she didn’t have to switch health plans during an Affordable Care Act sign-up season. By her count, she has been on five plans in five years. Every fall, after she has spent months figuring out her insurance plan’s deductibles, doctor networks, list of covered drugs and other fine print, she receives notice that the policy will be canceled as of Dec. 31. Because her job doesn’t come with insurance, “it’s agonizing going through all the plans and trying to compare,” said Weston, 55, who has diabetes and a history of melanoma. “Every year it’s the same scenario: ‘We’re not going to renew your policy.’” (Hancock, 12/7)

Kaiser Health News: Brokers Tout Mix-And-Match Coverage To Avoid High-Cost ACA Plans
Health insurance a la carte? As the Affordable Care Act open-enrollment season moves into its final weeks, some consumers looking for lower-cost alternatives are considering a patchwork approach to health insurance. The products may secure some basic protection but leave patients on the hook for high medical bills. (Appleby, 12/7)