CMS reports strong start to 2025 marketplace open enrollment, builds on record-setting success

CMS announces marketplace insurance numbers: ©Timon - stock.adobe.com

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported a strong beginning to the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period, highlighting progress in ensuring Americans have access to affordable health coverage. Nearly 500,000 individuals who were previously uninsured have signed up for coverage for the upcoming year, signaling continued momentum from last year’s record-breaking enrollment, according to the agency.

During the 2024 Open Enrollment Period, 21.4 million people signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace, driving the national uninsured rate to a historic low. That progress appears to be holding steady, with CMS noting that over 2.5 million existing consumers have already returned to the Marketplace to actively renew their plans for 2025. Additionally, consumers who currently have coverage and do not take action during this year’s enrollment period will have their plans automatically renewed.

CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure expressed optimism about the trajectory of this year’s enrollment. “It’s never been more critical to ensure access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage in America. Now is the time to remind friends, family, and the whole of our communities that HealthCare.gov can provide a critical lifeline to care and that subsidies that can make coverage more affordable remain for 2025,” she said in a statement.

Financial assistance remains a key feature of the Marketplace, with four out of five enrollees able to find a plan for $10 or less per month after tax credits. The Biden administration expanded eligibility for financial assistance, ensuring more consumers can benefit from reduced premiums. These measures are available through 2025.

For 2025, CMS has introduced several enhancements to the Marketplace to improve the enrollment experience. A refreshed account management section on HealthCare.gov streamlines navigation, offering clearer messaging and improved tools for managing applications and enrollments. These updates aim to make the process simpler and more transparent for consumers as they select or renew their health plans.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2025 runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025. To ensure full-year coverage that begins on Jan. 1, 2025, consumers must complete their enrollment by midnight on Dec. 15, 2024. Those who miss this deadline can still enroll through January 15 for coverage beginning later in the year.

Physicians are encouraged to inform their patients about the availability of Marketplace coverage, particularly for individuals who have recently lost Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage. CMS recommends directing patients to HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov to explore their options. Assistance is also available through the Marketplace Call Center or by connecting with local Navigators, Certified Application Counselors, or brokers who can guide consumers through the process.