Insurers that plan to sell 2015 health plans on the federal and state exchanges are predicting at least 20 percent more customers will sign up during the open enrollment period, according to a Reuters report.
Leading up to the enrollment period last year, many customers were uncertain about the new insurance and income-based subsidies offered under healthcare reform. This year, however, half a dozen private and nonprofit insurers have said the number of potential costumers that have contacted the insurer call centers, sales forces and brokers regarding enrollment has spiked noticeably, according to the report.
For instance, Independence Blue Cross in Pennsylvania experienced an increase in call center activity measuring roughly 31 percent, according to the report.
Even insurers whose enrollment numbers were somewhat unimpressive last year due to overpriced premiums or just being smaller in scale have expressed optimistic enrollment expectations. Some are even anticipating the number of sign ups will double.
The Congressional Budget Office has predicted 13 million people will buy exchange plans in 2015, and another 24 million will buy in 2016, despite major technological issues with last year's launch.