PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence) announced today that as of April 30, 2014, more than 165,000 individuals in southeastern Pennsylvania purchased the insurer's coverage through the Pennsylvania federal Marketplace or directly through the company during the first open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Of the more than 165,000 individuals enrolled in Independence's new health plans that meet the requirements of the ACA, 80 percent enrolled through the federal Marketplace, healthcare.gov. Approximately 20 percent enrolled directly through the company's website ibx4you.com, brokers, telesales agents, or by visiting the Independence Express, the insurer's mobile education and retail center. In addition, 75 percent of the insurer's individual members in ACA compliant plans are new to Independence.
"The first open enrollment under the ACA has far exceeded our expectations and we are thrilled that so many members have chosen our new individual plans," said Independence President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty. "Now that we have earned their business we are focused on delivering on our commitment to our members by providing them encouragement to stay healthy, access to excellent care when they become ill, and a system that expertly coordinates the care they receive."
The enrollment numbers released today include individual members who have coverage effective from January 1, 2014 through May 1, 2014. Some members may not yet have paid their first month's premium, which is the final step in the enrollment process. For members with coverage effective January, February, and March, nearly 89 percent paid their first month's premium. Members who have not yet paid their first month's premium can call 1-800-ASK-BLUE or visit www.ibxpress.com.
In the first year of open enrollment under the ACA, which ran from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014, Independence offered 13 different health plans on the federal Marketplace. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Independence offered the lowest rates in the region on the Marketplace. Also, Independence is the only carrier in the Philadelphia market that offered subsidy-eligible health plans across all metallic tiers.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.2 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia. For more than 75 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we're changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.