Report: 42 percent of unsubsidized ACA enrollees likely to switch plans during open enrollment

A recent survey report from eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a private online marketplace for health insurance, found that nearly eight in 10 consumers (79 percent) said they expect to review their health-insurance plan during the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) current open-enrollment period. 

Those not receiving government subsidies are more inclined to switch plans: 42 percent of consumers not receiving government subsidies say they’re likely to switch to a new plan, compared to 35 percent of consumers who do receive subsidies. Among all consumers, 40 percent are likely to switch (see pie chart).

The report also found that unsubsidized consumers are significantly less happy with their premiums: 76 percent of those receiving government subsidies express satisfaction with their monthly premium, compared to 33 percent of those not receiving subsidies. 

The survey findings are based on a voluntary survey of consumers who purchased ACA-compliant health-insurance coverage at eHealth.com. A total of 508 responses were collected. 

The full report is available at https://news.ehealthinsurance.com/_ir/68/201910/eHealth_ACA_Choices_Survey_for_Open_Enrollment_2020.pdf

“While premiums may be going down for many next year, our recent analysis shows that many will face increased out-of-pocket costs, which is another reason to reconsider their coverage choices,” eHealth CEO Scott Flanders said in a statement.