Dive Brief:
- Researchers have determined that through March 1, the state-based health insurance marketplaces were largely more successful in meeting enrollment targets than the federal marketplace.
- State exchanges achieved 76% of projected 2014 enrollment by March 1, while federal exchanges were at 54%.
- Three of the state-based marketplace (Vermont, Connecticut and the District of Columbia) exceeded their projections for 2014.
Dive Insight:
With the federal health marketplaces having such terrible technical problems—and getting a black eye PR-wise in the process—it makes sense that state exchanges did more business for most of the ACA enrollment period (though it's worth noting that as of April 1, federal enrollment hit 7.1 million in a last-minute rush, slightly exceeding its goals). While this year may have been a disaster for federal marketplaces, researchers believe enrollment will jump in coming years as outreach efforts bear fruit and people become more comfortable with the exchange.