Enrollment numbers unveiled for Alaska at press conference

Almost 21,000 Alaskans enroll in the health insurance marketplace

Participation is 162% of last year’s total

ANCHORAGE, AK -- Susan Johnson, Regional Director for the US Department of Health and Social Services, announced today that enrollments under the health insurance marketplace in Alaska totaled 20,897 during the most recent enrollment period, which ended on February 15. These numbers are 162% of the totals from 2014, when 12,890 Alaskans enrolled through the marketplace.

“Alaska enrollment numbers are incredibly strong,” said Johnson. “This increase in participation is a direct result of the hard work and maturity of the Alaska ACA Educators Coalition. Quality, affordable coverage is no longer the best kept secret for the 20,897 Alaskans who are now insured.”

Jessie Menkens, manager of the Navigator Outreach program for the Alaska Primary Care Association said “Thousands more Alaskans can now go to bed each night with comfort and peace knowing they have health insurance and they're not an accident or a surgery away from becoming bankrupt. Professionals worked across our state helping people with enrollment questions and we're grateful for everyone's hard work and compassion throughout this enrollment period. One appointment at a time, our assisters are changing lives."

Wayne Helander – an Alaskan who was recently enrolled under the marketplace – also added, “Last spring I decided to retire but I knew I would have difficulty paying for preventative healthcare and for the substantial medical premiums on my social security benefits income, so I looked into what the ACA could do for me.  I contacted Enroll Alaska, who were very helpful in assisting me to navigate the federal exchange signup process and to find a good insurance plan, and even qualified me for a premium subsidy due to my income.  My health and fitness are good, but I am so relieved to know that I have good quality insurance when I will need it.”

For more information, contact:
Susan Johnson, Region 10 Director, US Department of Health and Social Services, (907) 750-0470
Jessie Menkens, Alaska Primary Care Association, (907) 929-8116 or JessieM@alaskapca.org
Wayne Helander, (907) 306-4852 or kavik@att.net