Health First Insurance Welcomes Over 1,400 New Individual Members in 2014

News provided by

Health First Inc.

Feb 11, 2014, 08:00 ET

Rockledge, FL (PRWEB) February 11, 2014 -- Health First Insurance Welcomes Over 1,400 New Individual Members in 2014

Average Age of Insured has Increased from 37 to 48

Health First Insurance welcomes more than 1,400 new Individual members from Brevard and Indian River Counties in 2014. More than 900 of the new members came in through the federally-facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace via http://www.healthcare.gov.

"A notable shift in this new enrollment is that the average age of our individual members has increased from 37 in 2013 to 48 in 2014," said Health First Health Plans President & CEO Ed Griese. "For many over the age of 50, rates have decreased within the Affordable Care Act (ACA), making it more attractive. We expected the average age to be increase by approximately ten years and we are definitely seeing this dynamic play out in the Space Coast market."

Many experts have recently pointed out that early retirees could see the biggest changes with the implementation of the ACA. That’s because in the new individual market, insurers are utilizing a community rating approach without regard to people’s health status and gender when setting premium rates.

Griese said, "As an integrated delivery network, Health First is positioned to serve the local community with a unique approach. With an expanded access to gym memberships and the full network of providers included with all plans, individuals and families applying on the Marketplace have a comprehensive solution with Health First Individual."

Additional interesting facts are as follows:

  • 72% of the new 2014 enrollment came from the Marketplace (http://www.healthcare.gov)
  • 61% of those applying on the Marketplace received some level of premium subsidy
  • 72% of the Marketplace enrollment selected a Silver plan
  • 60% of the Marketplace enrollment was between 51-64 years of age
  • 17% of the enrollment was under the age of 30

To learn more about Health First Individual plans on and off of the Marketplace, visit http://www.HealthFirstIndividual.org or call 877-904-4914.

About Health First

Founded in 1995, Health First, an integrated delivery, employs more than 7,500 people and has four hospitals (including Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital, Cape Canaveral Hospital and Viera Hospital). Health First Health Plans also offers a wide variety of health insurance plan options for Brevard and Indian River Counties. In addition, Health First is home to Brevard County’s only Trauma Center. Health First Medical Group is the largest multi-specialty physician group on the Space Coast. Health First offers numerous outpatient and wellness services, including four Pro-Health and Fitness Centers. Visit http://www.Health-First.org for more information.

Jeni Hatter, Health First Inc., http://www.health-first.org, 321-412-8810, [email protected]