1.6 million shy of enrollment goal by end of March, Avalere projects

By March 31, the number of people who have secured health insurance benefits through the exchanges will likely be short of the 7 million goal the White House established in October, according to a new estimate made by Avalere Health.

Approximately 5.4 million individuals are projected to buy a health plan through the various government-run marketplaces by the end of March, strategic advisory services firm Avalere predicted.

"The administration is conducting aggressive outreach in March in an effort to boost enrollment," said Caroline Pearson, vice president of Avalere Health.

Pearson pointed out the ultimate success of the ACA will not so much be how many people sign up, but the risk profile of consumers.

Nevertheless, President Barack Obama recently appeared on popular daytime television talk show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" via satellite in an effort to boost signup activity. The commander in chief urged those who haven't yet purchased a policy to do so soon, as the open enrollment period ends in less than two weeks.

DeGeneres thanked Obama for the ACA law, noting it seemed to be going "very, very well," according to Politico. She mentioned how 5 million people had selected plans.