Guest Post: Andrea Shang, Health Policy Intern, Community Service Society of New York

The second open enrollment period for New York’s health plan marketplace, NY State of Health, took place from November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015. The Department of Health and Human Services has released data on this season’s enrollees across all 50 states, plus D.C. Let’s take a look at how New York did.

During the second open enrollment period, over 750,000 New Yorkers enrolled in health plans through the NY State of Health Marketplace: 357,456 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and 408,841 individuals selected a Qualified Health Plan (QHP). Two-thirds of the QHP enrollees were renewing coverage they had purchased during the first enrollment period. Last year, the NY State Health Foundation (NYSHF) released a survey where 92% of respondents said that they were satisfied with their coverage and would likely renew. Moving forward, more data will be needed to understand consumer satisfaction with Marketplace plans and barriers to keeping insurance.

The report also reveals that nearly one in three of the enrollees who selected a QHP qualified for financial assistance to help them afford health coverage, roughly the same amount as during the first open enrollment period.  And while the report doesn’t have the full picture on demographics data, it shows that people below the age of 35 made up about one-third of the total number of individuals who purchased QHPs this year. Young adults have been a key population to watch during ACA implementation, as they tend to be healthier and have higher rates of uninsurance than older populations.

We anticipate more data from the ASPE and the NY State of Health to be released in the coming months, including breakdowns along the lines of gender, race and ethnicity, plan metal level, and more. Stay tuned!