CMS will target 15 markets to try to boost sign-ups in the ACA's fourth annual open enrollment.
The 15 target markets for open enrollment this year are:
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Atlanta
- Houston
- Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne, Fla.
- Northern New Jersey
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Detroit
- Salt Lake City
- Phoenix
- St. Louis
- San Antonio, Texas
CMS officials said these markets were selected based on the following criteria: they present strong opportunities for meaningful enrollment increases; they have a high percentage of eligible uninsured; and open enrollment has previously been successful in these metro areas. Overall, the 15 markets include more than 3 million marketplace-eligible uninsured Americans.
In these markets, federal officials will partner with local entities, such as colleges, fraternities, city governments and private companies, to spread the word about coverage options, according to CMS. The agency said the federal government will also partner with active local coalitions "committed to bringing access to affordable coverage to their communities."
Additionally, HHS will have storefronts in each of these target markets where people can get confidential, in-person assistance by trained assisters, federal officials said. Federal officials will also implement various marketing efforts to target potential sign-ups in these areas, among other outreach efforts.
"We look forward to engaging Americans all across the country in open enrollment beginning Nov. 1, but we are especially excited for a major outreach push in these 15 terrific markets where we've seen success in the past and where the potential for enrollment growth remains high," Kevin Counihan, CEO of the marketplace, said in a statement. "Local partnerships and focused communications will ensure that residents of these metro areas know that affordable coverage is available and that we're here to help them enroll."
Open enrollment for 2017 begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31.