ACA exchange enrollment continues at record pace, nears 11.5M through mid-December

Sign-ups on the Affordable Care Act's exchanges continue at a record pace, according to new data from the Biden administration.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its latest snapshot report on enrollment through HealthCare.gov, the federal exchange, and said that nearly 11.5 million people had selected a health plan nationwide as of Dec. 15, outpacing previous years.

That represents about 1.8 million more sign-ups compared to this time last year, or an 18% increase.

“This year, we’re so pleased to see so many new enrollees on Healthcare.gov, taking advantage of expanded financial assistance and new eligibility to purchase affordable, comprehensive healthcare coverage that they can use to help keep them and their families healthy,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure in the announcement.

The feds touted enhanced premium subsidies and greater competition in the individual market as key factors behind the record enrollment numbers.

“Unprecedented investments lead to unprecedented results," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release.

HHS will release its next enrollment snapshot Jan. 11, and open enrollment on HealthCare.gov continues through Jan. 15.