The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority today released new data showing continued strong enrollment activity through DCHealthLink.com, the District of Columbia’s new online health insurance marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses. Since the exchange opened for business on October 1, DC Health Link has enrolled 30,642 people. This includes District residents who enrolled in private health plans and in Medicaid, as well as people with coverage through their employers.
Enrollment
As of March 9, 2014, 30,642 people have enrolled through DC Health Link in private health plans or Medicaid:
- 6,516 people enrolled in private health plans through the DC Health Link individual and family marketplace;
- 11,383 people gained Medicaid coverage through DC Health Link; and
- 12,743 people enrolled through the DC Health Link small business marketplace.
Individuals and families have until March 15, 2014 to complete an application and select a health plan to have coverage that begins on April 1, 2014.
Open enrollment for individuals and families will continue through March 31, 2014. If an uninsured person does not enroll by March 31st, one cannot enroll again until November 2014. Federal law requires everyone to have coverage. Those who remain without health coverage may be subject to a tax penalty (IRS) of 1% of their income in 2014.
For easy access to information, DC Health Link App 1.0 is now available for Apple devices and Android devices. App 1.0 provides consumers access to key services such as a mobile cost calculator, events calendar, and GPS mapping feature that allows consumers to locate a DC Health Link assister or health insurance broker near their immediate location. Users can also access frequently asked questions, watch YouTube videos, contact trained experts, and share information about the DC Health Link mobile app through social media.
Demographic Information for People in Qualified Health Plans Through the Individual Marketplace
Young residents continue to be the highest enrollment group in private individual coverage. The largest enrollment – 38% of enrollees in private coverage (individual not SHOP) through DC Health Link – is 26 to 34 year olds; the second highest is 35 to 44 year olds (20%).
Age of enrollees in Qualified Health Plans – Individual Marketplace
(does not include Medicaid and SHOP)
| Age | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| <18 | 490 | 7% |
| 18-25 | 442 | 7% |
| 26-34 | 2,454 | 38% |
| 35-44 | 1,315 | 20% |
| 45-54 | 943 | 14% |
| 55-64 | 829 | 13% |
| 65+ | 43 | 1% |
Metal Level of Coverage Selected in Qualified Health Plans – Individual
Marketplace (does not include SHOP)
| Metal Level | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | 241 | 4% |
| Bronze | 1,749 | 27% |
| Silver | 1,477 | 23% |
| Gold | 1,552 | 24% |
| Platinum | 1,497 | 23% |
| Total | 6,516 | 100% |
DC Health Link Contact Center Data
Since October 1, 2013, the Contact Center received 64,844 calls. Generally the highest call volume is on Mondays and Tuesdays and the lowest call volume is on Saturdays. In March, the DC Health Link Contact Center (855-532-5465) is open extended hours: Sunday March 16 and 23 open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, March 30 open 8 a.m. to midnight; Monday through Saturday open 8 a.m. to midnight.
DC Health Link Website Traffic
Since October 1, 2013, 48,896 individual accounts and 9,903 small business accounts have been created. In the same time period, DCHealthLink.com had more than 216,000 visitors.