FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 12, 2014

Contact: Colin Seeberger, colin.seeberger@younginvincibles.org, 214.223.2913

Young Invincibles’ Statement on January Enrollment Data

Young Adult Enrollment Rate Surging Faster Than Rate of Overall Enrolling Population

[WASHINGTON]—Today, the Department of Health & Human Services released new enrollment data through January 2014. According to the announcement, 1 in 3 private insurance enrollees are under the age of 35. Marketplace enrollments among 18- to 34-year-olds represent one-fourth of total enrollments, with the same age group increasing to 27 percent of January enrollments.

“We are thrilled to see young adult enrollment rates continue to increase and expect this trend will continue as more learn that they can get help paying for their insurance and work with in-person enrollment assisters,” said Aaron Smith, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Young Invincibles. “The January surge in enrollments was particularly strong among young adults. While the number of enrollments overall increased by 53 percent in January, young adult enrollments increased 65 percent. These strong month-to-month trends are consistent with our expectations based on Massachusetts’ enrollment experience.”

A recent report from the Commonwealth Fund discussed insurer projections for youth enrollment and suggested the most relevant benchmark for evaluating cost impact was actuarial estimates of the enrolling population.  One actuary projected that 19- to 34-year-olds would account for 29 percent of enrollments under age 65.

Young Invincibles is kicking off the final six weeks of Open Enrollment by partnering with dozens of local, state and national organizations for a day of action—National Youth Enrollment Day, Saturday, February 15—with over 100 events to be held in cities across the country. Because cost has been the greatest historical barrier to young people getting covered, the focus of this day will be to educate the young uninsured about the financial assistance they could qualify for to help make coverage more affordable.

“Through efforts like National Youth Enrollment Day, we are doing everything we can during these final six weeks of Open Enrollment to make sure young people know that they can get free or reduced-cost coverage and in-person help with enrolling,” said Smith.

Nationally, 27 percent of young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are uninsured. In addition, Medicaid expansion and tax credits could make as many as 18 of the country’s 19 million currently uninsured young adults eligible for free or reduced-cost coverage if all states ultimately expanded their Medicaid eligibility threshold.

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Young Invincibles is a national organization committed to amplifying the voices of young adults, ages 18 to 34, and expanding economic opportunity for our generation. Young Invincibles ensures that young adults are represented in today’s most pressing societal debates through cutting-edge policy research and analysis, and innovative campaigns designed to educate, inform and mobilize our generation to change the status quo.