Although the Affordable Care Act marketplace continues to see increasing premiums and exiting payers, the Obama administration predicts monthly ACA marketplace enrollment will hit 11.4 million in 2017, according to The New York Times.
Here are five observations:
1. This enrollment prediction reflects a 9 percent spike from the 2016 average monthly enrollment.
2. HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said the government expects about 13.8 million people to enroll during the fourth annual enrollment period, beginning Nov. 1. This prediction represents an increase of 1.1 million people over the previous open enrollment period.
3. The government has painted a positive outlook of the marketplace, with Ms. Burwell telling NYT she was "confident and excited about the future of the health insurance marketplace."
4. Payers, however, don't agree with this optimistic future, noting the instability of the marketplace.
5. Additionally, state consumers and regulators are concerned about increasing rates.