North Carolina will likely exceed 1 million residents securing health insurance coverage in 2024 through the federal exchange, putting the state on track to double the number of enrollees from just three years ago.
Individual plans are offered under the federal Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that there were 996,250 registrants from November 1 through December 28. The registration deadline is Tuesday at www.healthcare.gov.
For the Federal Health Exchange, coverage began January 1 for those enrolled before December 15. For individuals who register by Tuesday, coverage will begin on February 1.
Individual prices vary based on location, age, support amount and plan. Subsidies are available to clients whose household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
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Current enrollment places North Carolina fifth among the 32 states using the federal exchange with 15.54 million registrants, including 3.14 million new registrants.
Nationwide, there were 20.35 million participants nationwide through the federal exchange and 18 state exchanges. This includes 3.73 million new registrants.
The Biden administration is encouraging people with current coverage through HealthCare.gov to shop around to see if another plan meets their needs better and at a lower cost.
“A record number of people in the United States have health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace — more than ever before in history,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
“More people with access to preventive care means a healthier nation and lower health care costs across the board.”
Medicaid expansion update
More than 311,000 North Carolinians have signed up for Medicaid expansion coverage since the eligibility period began Dec. 1, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday. About 600,000 North Carolinians are expected to be eligible.
Anyone with health coverage through HealthCare.gov will need to cancel their plan once they enroll in NC Medicaid.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services debuted Dec. 1 a dashboard that will provide monthly enrollment updates. The registration number had not been updated as of Friday.
A total of 10,523 Forsyth County residents, 14,567 Guilford County residents, and 48,760 Triad County and N.C. North Carolina residents were enrolled in the initial wave.
Forsyth’s total initial enrollment represents 4.5% of the 19-64 age group.
By comparison, there were 14,567 primary registrants in Guilford County, representing 4.4% of the population ages 19-64.
Most of these individuals were among a potential 300,000 people who were automatically enrolled through their participation in the state’s limited Medicaid family planning program.
“We encourage everyone to check to see if they qualify for Medicaid or marketplace insurance under the Affordable Care Act to make sure they have the health care coverage they need,” Cooper said Wednesday.
According to state health officials, expanding Medicaid would provide Medicaid coverage to people who make less than $20,120 a year. Likewise, a family of three earning less than $34,000 would be eligible, as well as a family of six earning less than $55,586.
“Every day, hundreds of people gain health care coverage and get the care they need,” state Health Secretary Cody Kinsley said in a statement.
“We have been working to ensure through extensive outreach efforts for several months because this is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Health care services include:
- Primary health care;
- Inpatient and outpatient care in hospitals;
- maternity and postpartum;
- Vision and hearing.
- Benefits of prescribed medications;
- behavioral health;
- Preventive and wellness. And
- Medical equipment, devices and treatments.
There was a fairly even split among the six major Medicaid health plans with Healthy Blue first at 22.2%, followed by Wellcare at 20.2%, UnitedHealthcare at 19.7%, Amerihealth at 17.3%, Carolina Complete at 10.5%, and Medicaid Direct at 9.9. %.
The four counties with the highest percentage of registered adults are Anson, Edgecombe, Richmond and Robeson.
For more information about expanded eligibility, go to https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/, your county Department of Social Services or through community support initiatives.
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