Reminder: This Open Enrollment Season, Americans Have More Options For Their Coverage And Care

WASHINGTON – As Americans sign up for health care coverage during this year’s open enrollment period, hundreds of millions of Americans have access to health care plans that cover essential benefits – like preventive care, prescription drugs and emergency services – regardless of pre-existing conditions.

Reporting notes that coverage options through the health insurance marketplaces are expanding to meet growing demand.  In 2021, 49 states will offer multiple health insurance plans for working families, and for the third straight year, the cost of premiums will decrease. 

And, “the marketplaces look healthier than ever,” The Washington Post reports.  “Individual insurance premiums and choices have steadily improved over the past four years … That trend will continue in the 2021 enrollment season … The average Obamacare customer can choose from plans offered by four to five issuers … And premiums are declining for the third straight year,” The Post adds.

Meanwhile a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report shows nearly all Americans have been impacted by the protections and opportunities provided under our current health care system: 

• 12 million more Americans are eligible for Medicaid in 33 states and Washington D.C.;
• 54 million Americans living with pre-existing conditions have access to care;
• Almost 2.3 million young adults are able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan; and
• Nearly 150 million Americans have access to free preventative services with no out-of-pocket costs. 

And according to another recent analysis from KFF, the “average person on Medicare will be able to choose among 33 Medicare Advantage plans during the open enrollment period.”  The report adds that Medicare Advantage enrollment now exceeds 24 million beneficiaries.  A second KFF analysis finds that “the average Medicare beneficiary will be able to choose among 30 stand-alone prescription drug plans.” 

During this critical time, let’s build on and improve what’s working where private coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid work together to expand access to coverage and care – not start over.