Yesterday, President Barack Obama announced the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act exchanges reached 8 million enrollees.
That number includes people who signed up for plans through the health insurance exchanges from Oct. 1 to April 15. Here are five things to know about the PPACA's impact on health insurance coverage so far, according to a White House fact sheet.
1. Of the 8 million who have signed up for exchange plans, 35 percent are younger than 35, and 28 percent are between 18 and 34. People in this age group — also known as "young invincibles" — have been a focal point of enrollment efforts. Without an adequate amount of young and healthy enrollees, the total amount of premiums health insurers collect for exchange plans would be less than the total healthcare expenses of exchange enrollees, and insurance companies could increase premiums to compensate. However, a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation found a premium "death spiral" is unlikely to occur and insurers could still expect to earn profits even if only 25 percent of exchange enrollees were young adults.
2. In addition to the 8 million who signed up for private health plans, 3 million more were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Plan as of February.
3. However, in 2016, an estimated 5.7 million people will remain uninsured because 24 states haven't expanded their Medicaid programs to cover people earning as much as 138 percent of the federal poverty level under the PPACA.
4. Five million people are enrolled in plans outside the exchanges that meet PPACA standards for essential benefits.
5. Three million young adults have gained coverage because of the PPACA's provision allowing people to stay on their parents' health plans until 26.
More Articles on the PPACA:
PPACA Exchange Enrollment Hits 8M
Going Beyond Politics and Giving Straight Answers: How Novant Health Drove Local PPACA Exchange Enrollment
RAND: PPACA Will Increase Number Of Medical Malpractice Claims