Published: 12/22/2020 3:29:39 PM
About 5% more New Hampshire residents signed up for the Affordable Care Act during open enrollment this year than last year, amid the turmoil caused by the pandemic and the Trump Administration’s legal efforts to curtail the system.
According to Covering New Hampshire, an outreach group for the federal health insurance program, 46,684 state residents enrolled under the ACA Open Enrollment for 2021, or 2,103 more than the 44,581 people who enrolled a year ago. Open Enrollment ran from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.
“The jump in enrollment shows that Granite Staters saw through the hyperbole and opted to get peace of mind for the themselves and their families,” said Covering NH COO Jayme Simoes. “The ACA is working, and it has reduced the number of uninsured, boosted the amount of insurance for companies serving the NH market, and brought down emergency room costs for hospitals.”
With reduced funding this year, Covering New Hampshire and advocates focused on a public education and outreach campaign.
The Trump Administration filed a lawsuit this year that would have virtually gutted the ACA but it was not granted by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Despite the end of open enrollment, people whose lives have seen certain changes can still sign up during what is called a special enrollment period. Those life events include losing health coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby or adopting a child. Generally special enrollment can occur up to 60 days following the event.
For more information, check the website coveringnewhampshire.org.