Governor Evers Announces Wisconsin Saw Record Sign Up for Health Insurance

Friday, January 12th, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

Gov. Tony Evers announced that, according to new enrollment data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as of Dec. 23, 2023, 254,482 Wisconsinites have signed up for health insurance on the individual marketplace.

This marks the highest enrollment Wisconsin has ever reached. The previous record was attained during the 2017 Open Enrollment Period when 242,863 Wisconsinites signed up for coverage.

Through January 16, Wisconsinites are still eligible to sign up for one of the dozens of health plans available on the federal marketplace. Those who already have insurance through the marketplace can also renew, update, or upgrade their health plans.

In 2020, Gov. Tony Evers’ OCI DHS Health Care Coverage Partnership launched WisCovered.com as an accessible resource for consumers. By visiting WisCovered.com or calling 2-1-1, people can get connected with free, expert help.

These experts help Wisconsinites understand their coverage options and determine if they qualify for subsidized health insurance premiums through the marketplace or free coverage through BadgerCare Plus.

The individual health insurance market has expanded substantially statewide, growing eight percent from 2019 to 2021. During the Open Enrollment Period last year, 221,128 Wisconsinites signed up for health insurance.

Much of the enrollment increase is tied to the subsidies enhanced by the American Rescue Plan Act and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. Last year, 89 percent of Wisconsinites who enrolled on HealthCare.gov qualified for these cost savings.

Additionally, the successful Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan (WIHSP) has held down rates on the individual marketplace. Without WIHSP, rates on HealthCare.gov would have increased by 18.2 percent for the 2024 plan year, based on a weighted average.

Wisconsin’s individual health insurance market also has the second-most insurers in the nation. Wisconsinites in all 72 counties can choose from at least three different health insurance carriers on HealthCare.gov. An interactive map of health insurers available by county can be found here.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.