Gov. Tony Evers announced in a recent press release that, according to new enrollment data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 254,482 Wisconsinites have signed up for health insurance on the individual marketplace as of Dec. 23. This marks the highest enrollment Wisconsin has ever reached. The previous record was attained during the 2017 open enrollment period, when 242,863 Wisconsinites signed up for coverage.
Through Jan. 16, Wisconsinites are still eligible to sign up for one of the dozens of health plans available on the federal marketplace. Those who already have insurance through the marketplace can also renew, update, or upgrade their health plans.
The individual health insurance market has expanded substantially statewide, growing 8% from 2019 to 2021. During the open enrollment period last year, 221,128 Wisconsinites signed up for health insurance. Much of the enrollment increase is tied to the subsidies enhanced by the American Rescue Plan Act and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. Last year, 89% of Wisconsinites who enrolled on HealthCare.gov qualified for these cost savings.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan (WIHSP) has held down rates on the individual marketplace. Without WIHSP, rates on HealthCare.gov would have increased by 18.2% for the 2024 plan year, based on a weighted average.
Wisconsin’s individual health insurance market also has the second-most insurers in the nation.
