Your Health Idaho enrolls 89,000 Idahoans for 2020 health insurance coverage
Idaho exchange sees increase in new customers as overall enrollments decline amid Medicaid expansion
BOISE, Idaho – More than 89,000 Idahoans signed up for 2020 health insurance coverage through the state insurance exchange, Your Health Idaho, during open enrollment which ended Dec. 16, 2019.
Enrollments are down approximately 14,000 from the same time last year. This decline is largely due to Medicaid expansion and was expected by the exchange. Your Health Idaho originally estimated that around 18,000 individuals would move from the exchange to Medicaid under the newly expanded program.
Your Health Idaho executive director, Pat Kelly, said that although enrollments have declined, he is encouraged by the final figures and overall interest in Idaho’s marketplace.
“We always knew Medicaid expansion was a possibility, and that as a result, enrollments on the exchange would be impacted. We’ve planned for this change and do not expect to see any material adjustments to our long-term sustainability,” said Kelly. “What we are most excited about at Your Health Idaho is the number of Idahoans who are new to the exchange. Many of these individuals and families now have comprehensive health insurance for this first time, and most are eligible for a tax credit and lower monthly premiums with Your Health Idaho.”
Of the 89,000 Idahoans enrolled for 2020, approximately 75% renewed their coverage from 2019 while new customers made up 25% of total enrollments.
Now that the open enrollment period is over, Idahoans must experience a Qualifying Life Event, such as having a baby or losing employer coverage, to be eligible for coverage with a Special Enrollment Period. More information is available on the Your Health Idaho website at YourHealthIdaho.org/special-enrollment.
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Your Health Idaho was established by state law in 2013 to provide an online marketplace where Idaho
families and small businesses can go to compare and purchase health insurance. Your Health Idaho is
governed by a 19-member board authorized by the Idaho Legislature to set the rules and regulations for
implementing a state-based health insurance exchange.
For more information, please visit www.YourHealthIdaho.org. You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.