|
Marketplace Enrollment Hits Five Million Milestone
By Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services
Special to The Truth
As this historic open enrollment period enters its final
weeks, millions of Americans are finding quality, affordable
coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Fernando Valdez
and Denise Schroeder were part of a weekend wave of
consumers signing up for new coverage and bringing
enrollment nationwide to more than five million through the
federal and state-based Marketplaces since October 1.
Fernando Valdez, 25, of El Paso, Texas woke up early on
Saturday, after his mother insisted that he walk to an
enrollment center and enroll in Marketplace coverage. Now,
he will pay $22 a month for his health insurance. Fernando
said that he walked away knowing that if “I get into an
accident I will not be in trouble with trying to find health
care." Read more about Fernando’s story at:
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_25353816/enroll-el-paso-makes-push-get-residents-enrolled?IADID=Search-www.elpasotimes.com-www.elpasotimes.com.
And Denise Schroeder says she now feels like “I have a whole
new life” after enrolling in coverage in recent
days. Denise, a small business owner in West Chester,
Pennsylvania who runs “Happy Heart Clown N'Stuff,” which
does balloon decorating and entertainment for parties is
also a cancer survivor. Because she had cancer, Denise knew
she couldn’t let her health coverage lapse, but the $880
premium she was paying each month wiped out her savings
account, and she said it was killing her. But after working
with an enrollment navigator, she enrolled on Thursday in a
Silver Plan for $22 a month. When she saw the new premium,
she cried.
You can find more stories like theirs at
http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/mystory/index.html.
Consumers like Fernando and Denise are coming every day to
check out their options for affordable health care at
HealthCare.gov or seeking help from a trained representative
in person or via our 24/7 call center. The last several days
have been the busiest since December, with the Call Center
taking more than 198,000 calls on Thursday alone “the
busiest day since December 23” and more than 130,000 calls
over the weekend. Last week, HealthCare.gov saw more than
four million visits and an additional one million visits
this weekend.
With only two weeks to go, we’re continuing to work hard to
ensure that every American who wants to enroll in affordable
coverage by the deadline of March 31 is able to do so. So
don’t delay; tell your friends and family to sign up today. |
