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DC Health Link Individual Marketplace Data on Second Open Enrollment

Thursday, February 19, 2015

West Wing Week features DC Health Link this past Tuesday, February 17, 2015 -- While receiving a report from US Secretary of Human and Human Services,  Sylvia Burwell, President Obama speaks by telephone to Linda Wharton Boyd about DC Health Link’s creative outreach. He congratulates DC Health Link on its creative outreach on Super Bowl Sunday.

Today, the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX) released individual marketplace data for the second open enrollment period for DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online health insurance marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses.

The second open enrollment period for individuals and families ended February 15, 2015. During the second open enrollment period, more than 7,000 new and existing customers shopped for private health insurance through DCHealthLink.com. For 2015 coverage, new customers and renewed 2014 customers now total more than 18,000 people who enrolled in private health insurance coverage through DC Health Link’s individual marketplace:

  • 4,422 new customers have completed their insurance applications and selected a health plan
  • 2,640 existing customers shopped and enrolled in new coverage different from their 2014 coverage
  • 11,369 existing customers were renewed automatically

“This is yet another sign that President Obama’s healthcare law is working and delivering for the District’s residents. Together we will make sure that everyone has the access to care that allows them to live a healthy life right here in the nation’s capital,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Since October 1, 2013 when DC Health Link opened for business, approximately 84,316 people have come through DC Health Link:  21,540 people, including new customers, have selected a private qualified health plan; 46,968 people have been found eligible for Medicaid; 15,808 have been covered through SHOP, which includes people covered through small businesses in the District and Members and staff from the U.S. Congress. 

Background

The Affordable Care Act provides individuals, families, and small businesses in the District of Columbia with affordable options for quality health insurance through a new online health insurance marketplace called DC Health Link.  Residents can only apply for public insurance called Medicaid.  There are 31 different private health insurance options (includes 3 catastrophic plans) from Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Kaiser Permanente for individuals and families.  There are 192 private health insurance options for small businesses from Aetna, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, and United Healthcare.  DC Health Link is endorsed by the DC Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, and the National Association of Health Underwriters.

The 2015 individual marketplace open enrollment has ended. Residents who qualify for a special enrollment period, for reasons such as losing their job or moving to the District, can enroll through DCHealthLink.com when they have a triggering event any time during the year.  People can apply for Medicaid coverage any time during the year.  Small businesses can enroll any time during the year.