HHS reported more than 11.5 million individuals signed up for health plans through the federal marketplace from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, marking an increase of 286,000 plan selections from the same period last year.
In addition to higher signups on the federal exchange, state-based exchanges in Minnesota and New York recorded more than 700,000 enrollees for 2017 health coverage, increasing total enrollment to 12.2 million.
Federal officials pointed to the numbers as "refut[ing] predictions that 2017 premiums changes would lead to sharp declines in enrollment and a so-called 'death spiral,'" stating the data shows "a broad cross-section of Americans continue to rely on the marketplace to access affordable, quality coverage."
In October HHS said premiums for the second lowest cost individual ACA plan would jump by an average 25 percent in 39 states served by HealthCare.gov.
Data from HHS released Jan. 10 disclosed 7.2 million individuals who signed up for health coverage through the federal exchange will receive tax credits to subsidize premium costs. On average, the savings amount to $386 per month or $4,600 annually.