CMS: 2019 HealthCare.gov Enrollment Approaches 8.5 Million

Nearly 8.5 million people, 502,464 in North Carolina, selected a health plan through HealthCare.gov during 2019 open enrollment, including more than 4.3 million last week, according to preliminary data released this week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. That’s down from 8.8 million at the same time last year. The report shows total plan selections in the 39 states using HealthCare.gov for 2019 open enrollment, which ran through Dec. 15. It does not include consumers who enrolled in coverage through 3 a.m. ET on Dec. 16 or left their contact information at the call center due to high volume. CMS plans to release an updated snapshot next week with the final enrollment data. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced this week there will be an extended enrollment period for certain winter storm victims to apply for coverage on the federal health care exchange. CMS told the state Insurance Department that individuals affected by the winter storm in the central and western parts of the state may be eligible for an exceptional circumstances special enrollment period.