The Kentucky side
According to Banahan, Kentucky’s exchange,
known as kynect, experienced some initial problems with registration, but resolved glitches after increasing its number of servers.
She reported that by mid-October:
- 35,000 applications had been filed
- Of those, 12,000 people had already been determined to be Medicaid eligible
- About 6,000 people were found to be eligible for premium assistance.
She found it surprising that people bought plans on the exchange who weren’t eligible for subsidies, because they got better deals on the exchange.
Another surprise came when more than 300 small businesses filed applications in Kentucky by mid-October. Banahan said she expected the number to be miniscule, around 10 by year's end.
While initial numbers look encouraging, she explained there’s still a major push to get the word out to eligible residents in the State.
“We never doubted for a minute that our exchange wouldn’t be operational and functional and doing a good job as it’s doing right now,” she said. “Plus, there’s the governor’s support. He has been behind us from day one and very supportive of a state-based exchange. That’s really been a key that has resulted in our success.”
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has been a vocal kynect cheerleader. Both he and the
system have attracted national attention for what could go right. Beshear sees kynect as a model for exchanges across the country, enrolling an average of 1,000 Kentuckians a day in health care coverage.
“People who say the Affordable Care Act doesn’t work need look no further than Kentucky,” Beshear said. “Not only is it working here, Kentuckians are still stampeding to the website and call center to find affordable health coverage. The fact that so many Kentuckians are actively seeking health coverage for themselves, their families and their employees tells us that kynect is meeting a gaping need in our state. At long last, every Kentuckian can finally find affordable health insurance.”
Kentucky's numbers
- 40,572 enrolled in new health coverage, including Medicaid and private insurance
- 33,561 enrolled in Medicaid
- 7,011 enrolled in a qualified health plan
- 16,425 eligible for a subsidy to purchase a qualified health plan
- 843 small businesses applications for health insurance for employees
- 41 percent of registrants are under 35 years old
- 23 percent of registratnts are 25 years old or younger
- 59 percent women
