Nearly 116,000 Clark County residents enrolled in health plans through the state-based insurance exchange during the recent open enrollment period. The bulk of those — more than 104,000 people — were Medicaid enrollments.
During the 2017 open enrollment period, which ended Jan. 31, a total of 11,504 Clark County residents purchased individual health plans — an increase of just 75 people over the previous year. Statewide, individual health plan enrollments jumped 23 percent, with 204,334 people purchasing plans on Washington Healthplanfinder.
Local Medicaid enrollments increased by 1,733 people over last year, with 104,203 people enrolling in the Apple Health plan this year. Statewide, more than 1.5 million residents are enrolled in Medicaid.
Since Washington Healthplanfinder went live in 2013, the state’s uninsured rate has dropped from more than 13 percent to less than 6 percent — the lowest in state history, according to Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which operates the exchange.
“Our continued enrollment growth is further evidence of the critical role Washington Healthplanfinder plays in connecting residents with health and dental coverage,” said Pam MacEwan, CEO of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, in a news release. “As the health insurance marketplace for one in four Washingtonians, we remain committed to providing access to affordable health care to everyone in Washington state.”
Silver level health plans — the plan covers 70 percent and the patient pays 30 percent — were the most popular among individual health plan enrollees, accounting for 60 percent enrollment statewide. Bronze plans, which are split 60-40, had the next highest percentage of enrollments at 31 percent, according to the exchange’s April enrollment report.
Statewide, individual health plan premiums total more than $70.7 million with more than $28.5 million in tax credits awarded. The average monthly premium per person is $231 per month for those receiving subsidies and $388 per month for non-subsidized plans, according to the report.
On the small-business exchange, 61 employers with 191 employees and 83 dependents purchased plans this year. Clark County had the highest number of employers at 22.
And on the dental side, more than 23,500 people enrolled in dental plans statewide, including about 20,800 who selected a family plan. This is the first year family plans have been available.
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546; marissa.harshman@columbian.com; twitter.com/MarissaHarshman
