ACA enrollment drops by 1.4 million as premiums rise and tax credits expire

CMS data shows about 1.4 million fewer people have selected Affordable Care Act plans so far this enrollment period, with premium costs rising and enhanced premium tax credits having expired.

About 1.4 million fewer people have selected Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans at this point in the open enrollment period, federal data shows. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated enrollment totals covering sign-ups through Jan. 3 for Healthcare.gov and through Dec. 27 for state-run marketplaces. Premium costs are rising and enhanced premium tax credits that had reduced monthly costs have expired. The enrollment deadline in most states was Jan. 15. Key details: - CMS reported 22.8 million consumers had selected a plan as of Jan. 12, including 2.8 million new customers. - By the same time last year, about 24.2 million people had selected plans, including 3.9 million new customers, a difference of roughly 1.4 million fewer selections this year. - Experts and reporting say the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits is a likely factor in lower enrollments and higher out-of-pocket premiums. - The House passed a bill to extend enhanced premium tax credits for three years, but competing measures failed to advance in the Senate and congressional action remains unresolved; most states' enrollment deadline was Jan. 15. Summary: Enrollment is lower this year amid rising premiums and the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits. The House approved a measure to extend the credits, but Senate action has not advanced and the final congressional outcome is undetermined at this time.