Premiums rising

The average monthly premium for individual health plans selected by eHealth shoppers not using government subsidies was $315. That's an increase of 16 percent compared to the average premium of $271 per month for 2014 plans during last year's enrollment, which ran from October 2013 through March 2014.

Premiums for family plans averaged $760 per month, a 14 percent increase when compared to the average premium of $667 per month for 2014 plans selected during last year's open enrollment period.

eHealth analysts said early shoppers during the prior open enrollment period tended to select plans with higher monthly premiums than shoppers who selected plans closer to the end of open enrollment.

The average monthly premium for individual coverage reported represents a 2 percent increase when compared to the average premium for 2014.

The average comes from those who selected plans between Nov. 15 and Dec. 5.

Deductibles falling

The average annual deductible for individual plans was $3,776, a 9 percent decrease when compared to deductibles for 2014 plans selected during the prior open enrollment period. Meanwhile, the average annual deductible for family plans was $7,448, a 4 percent decrease from last year.

"The figures indicate that unsubsidized health insurance shoppers, which make up a considerable portion of the overall post-reform market, are currently trending toward plans with higher monthly premiums but lower annual deductibles," Lauer said.

Read: HDHPs gaining in popularity

This takeway differs from previous analysis by other firms. HealthPocket, for example, has said that the average deductible for 2015 bronze-level policies, the lowest-tiered plan, is about $5,181 for individuals — up from $5,081 last year, and $10,545 for families. However, deductibles decreased for those in gold and platinum plans.

Shopper demographics

The average age of shoppers selecting plans increased to 40 compared to an average age of 38 over the prior open enrollment period. That, analysts said, could suggest that younger shoppers are delaying enrollment until later, a trend observed during the earlier open enrollment period.

Reshopping

About half (48 percent) of shoppers in the first three weeks of open enrollment this year were insured and reshopping for 2015 coverage, according to a survey of eHealth customers.

Read: Most PPACA enrollees will bail on exchanges

Industry experts have been stressing the importance of shopping around for health plans during enrollment to avoid higher costs.

"While we're reporting a double-digit increase in average premiums for plans selected by consumers so far, these average increases are not as high as the year-over-year premium increases many consumers saw last year," Lauer said. "Nonetheless, for many individuals and families, these are considerable costs to bear and so we advise consumers to explore all of their options to find the right health plan for their needs and budget."

Meanwhile, eHealth reported that 27 percent said that they're uninsured; by comparison, 35 percent of survey respondents identified themselves as uninsured last year.

The most popular plans are…

Bronze was the most common metal level selected by both individual and family health insurance shoppers during the first three weeks of enrollment, eHealth said. By percentage, the metal plan levels selected were:

•Catastrophic plans: 8 percent

•Bronze plans: 45 percent

•Silver plans: 24 percent

•Gold plans: 16 percent

•Platinum plans: 7 percent