Health exchange enrollment still low and older

12,648 people have signed up for coverage through Access Health CT, our state health insurance exchange in the first month according to new enrollment numbers. About half (41%) have qualified for Medicaid. The other half (56%) enrolled in private insurance plans; more than half of those are choosing a silver plan. 62% have enrolled in an Anthem plan, 35% in ConnectiCare and only 2.4% in a HealthyCT offering. But the most interesting finding is that enrollees tend to be older, especially those enrolling in private insurance coverage. This is concerning because younger, healthier members are critical to sustaining an affordable pool. Enrollment in the Charter Oak Plan, set to close next month, never reached 15,000 because it attracted an older, less healthy membership, causing premiums to surge, pricing out healthier members, ending in a death spiral.