LATEST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE ENROLLMENT FIGURES FOR DELAWARE MIRROR STATE'S UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 12, 2014) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released state-by-state enrollment figures today for the Health Insurance Marketplace, numbers that largely parallel those Delaware released Feb. 6.

HHS reported that 4,927 Delawareans picked a marketplace plan through Jan. 31. At last week's meeting of the Delaware Health Care Commission, Secretary Rita Landgraf of the state Department of Health and Social Services reported that 5,062 Delawareans had enrolled in a marketplace plan as of the same date. That total included those who enrolled directly with their insurance company, in addition to those who enrolled through the federal marketplace.

The HHS totals represent a 51 percent increase in enrollments in Delaware since the end of December; HHS reported 3,273 enrollments in Delaware as of Dec. 28. The figures include those who selected a marketplace plan, whether or not the insurers had received their first premium.

"The federal report is yet another sign of the continued positive momentum we are seeing in enrollments in Delaware," Landgraf said. "While we know that some of our residents continue to face challenges enrolling through the marketplace, these figures show that thousands of Delawareans are getting connected to coverage and then to quality care. That's a critical step in achieving a healthier Delaware."

Other figures on Delaware's enrollees from today's HHS report, all of which align with what the state reported last week, include:

• 56 percent were female; 44 percent male.
• 20 percent were ages 18-34.
• 77 percent received financial assistance.

Enrollees who make between 138 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level - or less than about $46,000 annually for an individual - may be eligible for financial assistance to reduce the cost of their monthly health insurance premiums. Before you enroll on HealthCare.gov , calculators at www.ChooseHealthDE.com can estimate your premium and any financial assistance.

Nationwide, nearly 3.3 million people enrolled in the Health Insurance Marketplace plans by Feb. 1 (the end of the fourth reporting period for open enrollment), with January alone accounting for nearly 1.1 million plan selections in state-run and federal marketplaces, HHS reported.

HHS also reported that 27 percent of those who selected plans nationwide in the Federally-facilitated Marketplace in January were between ages 18 and 34, a three-percentage-point increase over the previous three-month period. Young adult enrollment grew by 65 percent in January, from 489,460 at the end of December to 807,515 as of Feb. 1, while all other age groups combined grew by 55 percent. The state is planning several special enrollment events in the coming weeks, including "enroll-athons" at the Dover Mall, Delaware Technical Community College, Wilmington University and several public schools. Check www.ChooseHealthDE.com for details and updates.

State residents can also register to win two free four-day passes to this summer's Firefly Music Festival by going to Choose Health Delaware's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ChooseHealthDE . The contest ends Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

Delaware's marketplace guides will be available at locations throughout the state to assist those who need help enrolling by March 31, the last day of open enrollment for 2014.

"Our expectation is that the positive growth in Delaware's enrollment will accelerate as we get closer to the March 31 deadline," Landgraf said. To talk with a marketplace guide or assister, or to make an in-person appointment, call:
New Castle County
Brandywine Women's Health Associates, 302-658-8545 Christiana Care, 302-320-6586 Westside Family Healthcare, 302-472-8655 Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, 302-655-6187 Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, Inc., 302-365-8270
Kent County
Westside Family Healthcare, 302-678-2205 Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, Inc., 302-365-8270
Sussex County
Westside Family Healthcare, 302-678-2205 Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, Inc., 302-365-8270 La Red Health Center, 302-855-1233
Statewide
Chatman, LLC, 302-685-2379

For more information, go to www.ChooseHealthDE.com . To enroll, go to www.HealthCare.gov. To view the latest Delaware marketplace update from DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf, go to: dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dhcc/presentations.html

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.