Avalere compared the exchange rollout to the introduction of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in 2005 and 2006. While initial enrollment for that benefit was similarly slow, individuals did sign up for coverage at a slightly faster pace than they have so far under the individual insurance mandate.
Just 10% of those eligible for prescription drug coverage had signed up for a plan as of a month before the deadline for getting coverage Jan. 1, according to Avalere. The comparable deadline for obtaining coverage through the state and federal exchanges is Nov. 15.
“Enrollment in new programs begins slowly and often takes several months to build momentum,” said Dan Mendelson, CEO of Avalere Health, in a statement. “While initial enrollment has been lagging, with aggressive marketing there is still time for awareness of the program to grow and participation to begin.”
New York had the highest enrollment, with 13,300 individuals purchasing coverage through its exchange. But that's just 2% of projected 2014 enrollment for the state.
As a percentage of projected total enrollment, Vermont led the way with 12% of its anticipated customer base already signed up for coverage. Rhode Island was close behind at 11%.
Of the 12 state-based exchanges studied, the District of Columbia had the fewest enrollees, with just 300 individuals purchasing plans. Hawaii fared only slightly better, with 400 individuals signed up for coverage.
The enrollment figures are as of Nov. 8. Of the 14 states that are running their own exchanges, California and Massachusetts were left out of the study because of a lack of available data. The 1.4 million figure is based on a Congressional Budget Office projection that 7 million individuals will sign up for coverage during the initial open enrollment period.
Follow Paul Demko on Twitter: @MHpdemko
