Healthcare insurance enrollment through ACA reaches 3.3 million

Healthcare insurance enrollment through the Affordable Care Act continued to climb in January, according to the federal government.

According to data released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 1.14 million people signed up for insurance in January either through the federal or a state exchange, bringing to 3.3 million the total number of enrollees since the exchanges opened in October 2013.

“These encouraging trends show that more Americans are enrolling every day, and finding quality, affordable coverage in the marketplace,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.

In a conference call with reporters, Sebelius added that 27% of those who enrolled in January-318,000 individuals--were age 18-34, a 65% increase over the first three months. “This 65% rate of growth is larger than all other age groups combined,” she said.

In addition, 55% of enrollees to-date have been women. “Being a woman under the Affordable Care Act is no longer a pre-existing condition,” Sebelius said. About 59% of people who have enrolled have done so through the healthcare.gov federal exchange site, with the remainder enrolling through state-based marketplaces.

The most popular level of plan thus far has been the silver level, chosen by 62% of enrollees. That is followed by the bronze level (19%), gold (12%), and platinum (7%.) One percent of marketplace enrollees have selected a catastrophic plan.

In addition to those enrolling in private plans, 3.2 million individuals had a Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Plan determination or assessment through the marketplaces.

The deadline for open enrollment is March 31.