Enrollment Numbers For State-Run Vs. Federal Exchanges Reveal A Great Divide
States that run their own exchanges tend to want them to succeed so they invest time and energy into getting people to sign up. Meanwhile, the Trump administration approached the enrollment period as if the health law has failed. The enrollment numbers from the year reflect those different mentalities.
The Hill:
ObamaCare Enrollment Tells Tale Of Two Systems
Most states that operate their own ObamaCare exchanges saw more people sign up in 2018 than last year, while 29 of the 34 states that rely on the federal government to promote enrollment saw their sign-ups fall. Of the 17 state-based marketplaces, 11 saw enrollment increases: Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Nevada, Washington, Kentucky and Oregon while California, Idaho, Maryland, Vermont, Arkansas and New Mexico saw decreases. (Hellmann, 2/8)
The Star Tribune:
MNsure, Other State Exchanges Top Feds On Enrollment
Insurance enrollment via state-based health insurance exchanges such as Minnesota’s MNsure held steady for 2018, while sign-ups declined about 5 percent across the much larger group of states using the federal government’s HealthCare.gov website. The findings by the National Academy for State Health Policy raise a question about whether the intensity of outreach campaigns contributed to the difference, since the Trump administration limited marketing for the federal exchange while MNsure and other state-based groups maintained efforts. (Snowbeck, 2/8)
Boston Globe:
Number Of Sign-Ups On State’s Health Connector Holds Steady
The number of people buying health coverage through the state’s insurance exchange remained steady this year, despite a chaotic start to the open-enrollment period. Officials at the Massachusetts Health Connector said Thursday that 252,786 residents signed up for 2018 coverage, about 6,000 more than last year. (McCluskey, 2/8)
