The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a significant milestone in healthcare enrollment: 496,000 consumers who were previously uninsured through the individual market Marketplace signed up for health coverage for the plan year 2025.
A notice released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that CMS is committed to creating a robust Marketplace Open Enrollment process for consumers to effortlessly purchase high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage.
The enrollment figures were released as part of CMS's ongoing efforts to ensure all Americans access affordable and comprehensive health care.
According to the release, during last year's record-setting Open Enrollment Period, 21.4 million people signed up for coverage, driving the uninsured rate to a historic low.
Over 2.5 million existing consumers have already returned to the Marketplace to select a plan for 2025. As Newsweek reported, Medicare costs are set to rise in 2025.
Newsweek reached out to the HHS via email on Monday for comment.
"Building on the historic success of last year, we are on track for a record high number of plan selections for this year's Open Enrollment," the HHS said in the release.
"Health insurance gives people access to affordable, quality care. It gives them peace of mind. That's why the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to connect tens of millions of Americans with health coverage through the Marketplace," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
"Four out of five people can find a quality health plan for $10 or less a month after financial assistance on HealthCare.gov. That's the best deal in town. I encourage you to sign up now to ensure you and your family get the best coverage for your health care needs in 2025."
The surge in new sign-ups marks a major step toward reducing the uninsured rate nationwide and indicates the success of targeted outreach campaigns aimed at educating consumers about available subsidies and plan options in the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Marketplace.
Increases in new enrollments are attributed to several factors, including enhanced premium subsidies made available under the Inflation Reduction Act, that have made Marketplace plans more affordable for millions of Americans.
"I'm excited about this year's open enrollment and believe this will be the biggest yet. It's never been more critical to ensure access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage in America," said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.
"Now is the time to remind friends, family, and the whole of our communities that HealthCare.gov can provide a critical lifeline to care and that subsidies that can make coverage more affordable remain for 2025."
The open enrollment period for 2025 coverage runs until January 15. HHS said consumers who enroll by midnight December 15 (5 a.m. ET on December 16) can get full-year coverage starting January 1, 2025.
Individuals can enroll or re-enroll in health insurance coverage for 2025 by visiting HealthCare.gov (or CuidadoDeSalud.gov) or by calling 1-800-318-2596 to fill out an application.
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