The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the most detailed information on people who enrolled in health plans through either the federally run marketplace or exchanges operated by 15 states and the District of Columbia.
Almost 2.2 million people enrolled in health plans through Dec. 31 in the federal and state marketplaces. (No data has been released on how many enrollees have secured their enrollment with their first premium payment.) Most residents enrolled in December.
- 54 percent are female and 46 percent are male;
- 30 percent are age 34 and under;
- 24 percent are between the ages of 18 and 34, and;
- 60 percent selected a Silver plan, while 20 percent selected a Bronze plan; and
- 79 percent selected a plan with Financial Assistance.
In Virginia, approximately 44,000 Virginians have signed up for health plans through the federal insurance marketplace. More than half of those who enrolled – 55 percent -- were women. Half were 45 to 64 years old, while the so-called “young invincibles” between 18 and 34 accounted for 27 percent. A strong majority of those who enrolled, 58 percent, chose a “silver plan,” representing the second rung in an ascending ladder of health plans based on the value of their benefits. Three-quarters of those who enrolled did so with financial assistance from the federal government, which is providing tax credits directly to insurers for people earning up to 400 percent of poverty, based on a sliding scale – more than $94,000 a year for a family of four. In addition, about 17,000 were found to be eligible for Medicaid or children's health insurance through the marketplace.
