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

The third open enrollment period for individuals and families ended January 31, 2016. District residents had two extra days to enroll due to the historic snow storm that hit the DC region. Data includes people enrolling from November 1, 2015 to February 2, 2016.

There are 22,912 customers with 2016 health insurance coverage through DC Health Link’s individual marketplace:

• 6,012 new customers have completed their insurance applications and selected a health plan;
• 3,085 existing customers shopped and changed their coverage;
• 13,815 existing customers were renewed automatically.

This open enrollment, DC Health Link has 6,012 new customers compared to 4,879 new customers last year, which is a 23% increase in new customers.

Existing customers who shopped saved on average 4% in premiums.

Age mix for DC Health Link individual marketplace customers has become younger. Sixty-one percent (61%) of new customers are 34 years old and younger compared to 49% of existing customers.

Since October 1, 2013 when DC Health Link opened for business, approximately 207,195 people have come through DC Health Link: 33,379 people enrolled in private health insurance through the individual marketplace; 147,567 people determined eligible for Medicaid; 26,249 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 an online health insurance marketplace called DC Health Link. Residents can also apply for public insurance called Medicaid. There are 26 different private health insurance options from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente for individuals and families. There are 136 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 2016 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 outside of open enrollment. People can apply for Medicaid coverage any time during the year. Small businesses can enroll any time during the year.