During the 2024 plan year open enrollment period, a record 171,376 Kansans selected or were automatically re-enrolled in a health insurance plan through the federally facilitated marketplace. This year’s figure represents a 37.7 percent increase from 2023 enrollment (124,473), which itself was a 15.5 percent increase from 2022 enrollment (107,784).
However, enrollment varies significantly by region and county. Twenty-two counties have more than 7.1 percent of the population enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Six counties have less than 4.0 percent of the population enrolled in the marketplace.
On Aug. 8, 2024, KHI held an event to delve into these statistics and discuss possible reasons behind these variations and the implications for health care access and policy in Kansas. The event included a panel discussion with distinguished experts who provided insights on health insurance marketplace enrollment growth in northeast and southeast Kansas:
- Rhonda Culp, Director of Care Coordination, Thrive Allen County
- Molly Gotobed, Executive Director at Community Health Council of Wyandotte County
A recording of the event is posted below.