More than 14,000 Delawareans covered through health insurance exchange

Surpassing the federal government’s goal of 8,000 marketplace enrollees for the First State, more than 14,000 Delawareans signed up for health insurance during open enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The final month of enrollment proved to be the busiest, with Delaware experiencing a 62 percent increase in marketplace enrollees and a 57 percent increase in Medicaid enrollees from the previous month.

“The surge in enrollments as the March 31 deadline neared is a clear sign that thousands of our neighbors want and need affordable health coverage and are attracted by the quality and affordability of the marketplace plans,” said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

A breakdown of enrollment revealed that 11,335 Delawareans selected a marketplace plan while 3,411 became eligible for Medicaid. Nationally, an estimated 7.1 million individuals have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

Additionally, there are other individuals who were “in line” but unable to complete their enrollment before the March 31 deadline. They have until April 15 to complete their enrollment.

Penalties for those without health insurance will go into effect this year. According to Healthcare.gov,the fine is either $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, or one percent of household income, whichever is greater.

The state estimates that as many as 90,000 Delawareans do not have health insurance.

The next open enrollment period will begin in November.