Brief The Affordable Care Act Can Survive Low Enrollment and Adverse Selection in the First Year
Linda J. Blumberg, John Holahan
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Low enrollment levels in the health insurance marketplaces in the first year may also mean disproportionate enrollment of high cost individuals. This could lead to higher premiums and destabilization of the nongroup market, but this is unlikely. First, policies put in place in the law, specifically risk corridors and risk adjustment, will provide insurers with some significant financial protection. Second, low enrollment does not necessarily mean adverse selection there are strong incentives for young adults to enroll. Third, insurers cannot necessarily recoup any 2014 losses by raising 2015 premiums. Insurers will need to set premiums for 2015 based on the expected enrollment in 2015, not based on any losses that may occur in 2014.
Research Areas Health and health care
Tags Health insurance Federal health care reform Private insurance Affordable Care Act
Policy Centers Health Policy Center