Way back on January 17th, 2020, I posted a long, wonky blog entry about how important risk pools are, using my own family making the move from an ACA exchange plan to a university student plan as an example. It included several data-entry system errors which made the switch more complicated than it should have been, though everything was straightened out in the end.

This morning, in response to a tweet by Sarah Kliff referencing an article by Margot Sanger-Katz about the difficulty of choosing the right health insurance policy, I was reminded of my own post from nearly a year ago and decided to re-read it.

In doing so, I did a double-take when I read one passage in particular:

Way back in October 2013, I launched the ACA Signups project as a light, nerdy hobby thing which was only supposed to last around six months, through the end of the first ACA Open Enrollment Period (March 31, 2014). Instead...well, let's just say that it's more than seven years later and I'm still doing this.

The reality is that The Graph itself doesn't serve a whole lot of useful function anymore. The enrollment patterns were erratic the first couple of years but have since settled into a pretty predictable...if not downright boring pattern for both the federal and state exchanges. The main reason I keep doing it each year is mostly out of tradition these days; after all, without The Graph, there wouldn't be an ACA Signups and I wouldn't have become a healthcare policy wonk in the first place.

via Pennie, PA's new ACA exchange:

Governor Wolf Declares Dec. 10 Get Covered 2021 Pennsylvania Day in Support of the National Initiative, Get Covered 2021

  • Pennie stressed the December 15 plan selection deadline and the connection between health coverage and COVID-19 safety

Harrisburg, PA – December 10, 2020 – Today, Pennsylvania leadership announced a statewide partnership with Get Covered 2021 and re-emphasized the vital role that health coverage plays in the overall health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians. Improving access to affordable, quality health coverage is a priority for Pennie, Pennsylvania’s new state-based health insurance marketplace.

Get Covered 2021 is a national initiative promoting COVID-19 safety precautions and the importance of having health coverage. Pennie, in partnership with Pennsylvania leadership, along with 15 other states and Washington D.C., hundreds of health associations, sports figures, and celebrities have joined together to help spread the word to “mask up and get covered.”

via Get Covered New Jersey, NJ's brand-new state-based ACA exchange:

Governor Murphy Designates December 10th “Get Covered Day,” Encourages New Jerseyans to Get Covered During Open Enrollment

  • Proclamation is part of Get Covered 2021, a National Campaign to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 & Encourage Residents to Enroll in Health Coverage

TRENTON — Joining with state partners from across the country in encouraging residents to enroll in health insurance during the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period, Governor Phil Murphy issued a proclamation designating today, December 10, 2020, as “Get Covered Day” in New Jersey. Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride reminded residents that the deadline to enroll for coverage starting in the New Year is December 31st.

via the Washington Health Benefit Exchange:

Over 200,000 have signed up for health coverage; Get covered by December 15 on Washington Healthplanfinder

  • Beat the rush by signing up today on Get Covered Day #GetCovered2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- As sign ups continue to increase, Washington Healthplanfinder reminds individuals today, Get Covered Day, to visit WA HealthPlan Finder to secure their health and dental coverage by Dec. 15 to ensure a start date of Jan. 1, 2021.

As of Dec. 10, over 200,000 Washingtonians have signed up for 2021 coverage, 5% more than last year at this time, and one person every 17 seconds. Among the 20,000 new customers, over 40% have selected a new Cascade Care plan. These new plans offer deductibles that are on average $1,000 less than other plans, and cover more services prior to meeting a deductible, including primary care visits, mental health services, and generic drugs.

via Your Health Idaho:

Less Than One Week to Enroll in 2021 Health Insurance

  • Your Health Idaho extends customer support hours ahead of Dec. 15 deadline

BOISE, Idaho – Idahoans have until 11:59 p.m. (MT) on Tuesday, Dec. 15, to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage through Your Health Idaho, the state insurance exchange. After open enrollment ends, Idahoans will not be able to enroll in coverage unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

“As expected after the Thanksgiving holiday, we have seen an increased interest from Idahoans looking to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage,” said Your Health Idaho Executive Director, Pat Kelly. “To ensure consumers are getting the help they need, Your Health Idaho has expanded business hours through December and implemented new contact options.”

Way back in October 2013, I launched the ACA Signups project as a light, nerdy hobby thing which was only supposed to last around six months, through the end of the first ACA Open Enrollment Period (March 31, 2014). Instead...well, let's just say that it's more than seven years later and I'm still doing this.

The reality is that The Graph itself doesn't serve a whole lot of useful function anymore. The enrollment patterns were erratic the first couple of years but have since settled into a pretty predictable...if not downright boring pattern for both the federal and state exchanges. The main reason I keep doing it each year is mostly out of tradition these days; after all, without The Graph, there wouldn't be an ACA Signups and I wouldn't have become a healthcare policy wonk in the first place.

Hot off the presses, via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid:

Week Five, November 29 - December 5, 2020

In Week Five of the 2021 Open Enrollment period, 915,118 people selected plans using the HealthCare.gov platform. As in past years, enrollment weeks are measured Sunday through Saturday.

Every week during Open Enrollment, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will release enrollment snapshots for the HealthCare.gov platform, which is used by the Federally-facilitated Exchange and some State-based Exchanges. These snapshots provide point-in-time estimates of weekly plan selections, call center activity, and visits to HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

The final number of plan selections associated with enrollment activity during a reporting period may change due to plan modifications or cancellations. In addition, the weekly snapshot only reports new plan selections and active plan renewals and does not report the number of consumers who have paid premiums to effectuate their enrollment.

  • “Get Covered America Day” — Dec. 10 — is a call to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and a public statement that you want your family and friends to get health insurance.
  • With COVID-19 cases surging nationally, the day is a call to action to encourage people to post a picture of themselves wearing a mask on social media, include a personal message about the importance of being COVID-safe and how friends, family and neighbors can get financial help for insurance now, sharing the website GetCovered2021.org and using the hashtag #GetCovered2021.
  • With an estimated 16 million uninsured Americans eligible for financial help — through their Affordable Care Act marketplace, or free coverage through Medicaid — Get Covered 2021 encourages people to check their health care options and get insured.

    via Pennie, PA's new ACA exchange:

    December 15 is the Deadline for Individuals to Enroll in Health Insurance Coverage for January 

    • Pennie urges all Pennsylvanians seeking 2021 coverage to enroll this Open Enrollment 

    Harrisburg, PA – December 7, 2020 –  Pennie, the state’s new health insurance marketplace is approaching its first enrollment deadline. December 15th is the last day for individuals and families to purchase health coverage starting January 2021. Current and potential customers are encouraged to select a plan by December 15 to ensure continuous coverage.

    Pennie allows customers to compare and shop for medical and dental insurance from participating insurers, who are required to offer qualified, comprehensive plans. Pennie is also the only source for financial assistance to help lower the cost of coverage and care and nearly 9 out of 10 of customers qualify for financial assistance

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