Note to Media: Follow @GeorgeK_HS for ongoing data. Additionally, we can provide state, city, and zip-code level data for the categories shown in this document for healthcare.gov states where HealthSherpa offers ACA-subsidized policies.
UPDATE! We have additional details through Day 2 of OEP19! Three key numbers:
- Total enrollments are up 51% since the same period during OEP18, from 7,551 in the first two days last year to 11,455 enrollments in the first two days this year.
- Median net premium is down more than 33% year-over-year for the first two days of OEP.
- Enrollments by people under age 40 are up by nearly 5%, including a 3X increase in enrollments by those under age 21.
Stay tuned for more insights on OEP19 later this week and read on for our full Day 1 results.
The 2019 Open Enrollment Period (OEP19) for ACA individual health insurance started on Thursday, and it appears that the demand for coverage is strong. HealthSherpa saw large gains in enrollment volumes, likely assisted from numerous market stabilization factors (more insurers offering more plans, steady or lower premiums in many states, higher broker assistance rates) that add up to the availability of quality, affordable coverage for Americans.
Following are highlights for Day 1 of OEP19. Stick with HealthSherpa for weekly updates throughout this year’s enrollment period, which ends for healthcare.gov states on December 15th.
Notes from George Kalogeropoulos, HealthSherpa CEO:
- Observers have speculated that there would be more stability in the ACA individual health insurance market this year. We’re happy to report that that speculation appears to be accurate.
- OEP19 is off to a strong start, with increased issuer participation and high levels of consumer engagement (see stats below).
- Despite small hiccups on Day 1 (healthcare.gov was down for a short time throughout the day), consumer demand remained strong and led to significantly higher enrollment volume year-over-year through HealthSherpa.
- The median net premium paid by HealthSherpa consumers is down 5% from Nov. 1, 2017, to $54.02 per month.
- There was a slight uptick in the number of Gold metal level plans selected, an increase of 5% from Nov. 1, 2017.
- Income increased slightly year-over-year, from a median of $20,000 to $23,000.
- Once again, enrollment is strong in red/purple states, with the top three states by enrollment all in the south
- Texas
- Florida
- North Carolina
- Women are once again more likely to file as head-of-household, by a margin of 15% (57% female vs. 43% male).
- The majority of enrollees are once again 50-64 years old.
- Prior to this year’s OEP, HealthSherpa exceeded 28,000 broker partners.
- Note that these are just comparisons for Day 1 of 2017 vs. 2018 and we will track and update these stats throughout OEP19.
Year-Over-Year Change in Key Numbers
- HealthSherpa Enrollment Volume: Up 75%
- Total Call Volume: Up 17%
- Median Net Premium: Down 5% ($54.02 from $56.82)
- Median Gross Premium: Down 7% ($831.09 from $897.96)
- Median Subsidy: Down 9% ($694.01 from $762.05)
- Median Income: Up 15% ($23,000 from $20,000)
- Average Applicants Per Policy: Up 1% (1.41 from 1.39)
Demographics and Plan Choices
We accept media requests to pull the numbers shown in this document at a state, city, and zip code level for healthcare.gov states where HealthSherpa offers ACA-subsidized policies. Please contact press@healthsherpa.com for more.