According to a report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, high enrollment in the federal and state-run insurance marketplaces between Oct. 1, 2013, and Dec. 28, 2013, reflects an increase in the number of individuals looking to sign up for health coverage.
The current number of enrollees sits at roughly 2.2 million, as participants have been able to choose between state and federal plans. The report found that the number of individuals signing up for health care through these channels reached 1.8 million in December, which is seven times greater than the figures posited in October and November combined. Those applying through state-based marketplaces were some of the quickest and largest in number to sign up in December, with 729,000 individuals. This figure is triple the number of people who enrolled in the previous two months.
Citing The New York Times, NPR explained government and health care officials are still confident younger, healthier individuals will sign up for coverage through the marketplaces, although the majority of enrollees are currently between 45 and 64. Aaron Smith, co-founder of the Young Invincibles - a group that promotes enrollment among younger demographics - told USA Today insurance and government officials are aiming for between 37 to 40 percent of enrollees to be 35 years old or younger.
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