New Analysis Finds US Individual Insurance Market Grew 46 Percent in First Full Year of Affordable Care Act

A new analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that the nation’s individual insurance market grew 46 percent to 15.5 million people in the first year plans could be purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces, which offer premium assistance to low- and moderate-income people.

Four states — California, Florida, Texas and Georgia — accounted for almost half of the enrollment growth. In six states, the number of people covered in the individual market increased by more than 75 percent: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maine, New York and Rhode Island.

The state-level analysis, Data Note: How Has the Individual Insurance Market Grown Under the Affordable Care Act?, drew from recently-submitted 2014 filings by insurers to state insurance departments, and compared enrollment from December 2013 to December 2014.

For the latest on health reform, follow Kaiser Family Foundation Senior Vice President Larry Levitt on Twitter: @larry_levitt