Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report detailing enrollment numbers for the first three months of open enrollment in the federal- and state-run health insurance exchanges. The HHS data showed that a total of about 2.2 million people nationwide had purchased private coverage through one of the exchanges by the end of 2013. For the report, HHS considered anyone who had selected a plan as an enrollee.

Slightly less than one-fourth of all residents who enrolled in coverage through the federal and state insurance exchanges between October and December 2013 were young adults ages 18 to 34. Health industry analysts are concerned that the exchanges might not be attracting the right mix of young and older enrollees needed to keep premiums costs affordable. In a breakdown of the demographic data, HHS found that:

  • 24 percent are ages 18 to 34;
  • 15 percent of enrollees are ages 35-54;
  • 55 percent are ages 45 to 64; and
  • 33 percent are ages 55 to 64.

The HHS data also showed that 79 percent of enrollees qualified for subsidies to help offset the cost of their premiums. Of those enrolled:

  • 60 percent selected second-tier silver plans;
  • 20 percent selected third-tier bronze plans;
  • 13 percent selected first-tier gold plans;
  • 7 percent selected platinum plans, which have the highest premiums; and
  • 1 percent selected catastrophic coverage plans.