Indiana ACA data released, fewer enrolled than expected

The United States Department of Health and Human Services released enrollment numbers for both state and federally operated health insurance marketplaces for the first time Wednesday.

The report considers all applications filed from Oct. 1, when enrollment began, to Nov. 2.

In Indiana, 15,982 applications have been completed for the coverage of 31,979 individuals, according to the report.

Of those who have submitted an application, 19,093 were determined eligible to enroll in the marketplace, 7,890 of which were determined eligible to enroll in the marketplace with financial assistance.

More than 11,000 were determined to be eligible for Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the remaining individuals’ applications are pending.

Of those deemed eligible to enroll, only 701 in Indiana have selected a plan, according to the report.

This report reflects only the first month of the open enrollment period. Individuals are still able to enroll through December for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

Using a comparison of other similar health insurance exchanges such as the Federal

Employees Health Benefits Program and Massachusetts’ Commonwealth Care, the report found many reasons why enrollment numbers may be lower than some expected.

— Brianna Meyer