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Health Reform: By The Numbers

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Marketplace Renewals: State Efforts to Maximize Enrollment into Affordable Health Plan Options

A woman attending an event, sits at a table and completes forms.

Enrollment changes in six state-based insurance marketplaces are outlined in this report which serves as a consumer guide on the re-enrollment process in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Rhode Island and Washington.

 

The Issue:

The effectiveness of these state-based marketplaces (SBMs) at re-enrolling people, compared to states where the federal government facilitates their marketplace, is examined.

Key Findings

  • 2015 benchmark plans may not be the same as those from 2014.

  • Due to changes, many consumers could be auto-enrolled in a plan that does not maximize their premium tax credit.

Conclusion:

Researchers say that some state-based marketplaces have used their flexibility under federal rules to improve consumers' experiences and ensure they get a more accurate determination of premium tax credits, but that consumers should be aware of changes to the benchmark plan in their state.

About the Grantee:

The Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute is a nonpartisan, expert team of faculty and staff dedicated to conducting research on the complex and developing relationship between state and federal oversight of the health insurance marketplace.

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