NEARLY 25,000 DELAWAREANS PICKED A PLAN OR WERE AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED FOR COVERAGE DURING 2015 OPEN ENROLLMENT

Consumers who were 'in line' by Feb. 15 deadline have until Feb. 22 to sign up through the Health Insurance Marketplace

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 18, 2015) - More than 24,800 Delawareans picked a 2015 plan or were automatically re-enrolled in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace as of the final day of open enrollment on Feb. 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said today.

The total of 24,887 does not include Delawareans who were "in line" to sign up by the deadline but could not finish because of technical issues with HealthCare.gov or an extended wait while calling the federal Marketplace call center. Those individuals have until Sunday, Feb. 22, to complete their enrollments by opening their application at HealthCare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596. Today's report did not say how many Delawareans were in line by the deadline.

The 24,887 total represents an increase of 13 percent since Feb. 6. In addition, 11 percent of all enrollments in Delaware occurred in the last nine days of open enrollment. "We believed that activity would increase in the days before the deadline and this report bears that out," said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the state's Department of Health and Social Services. "I encourage those who couldn't finish their enrollments last weekend to do so by Feb. 22, so that they can enjoy the many benefits that come with being covered and connecting to quality care."

Those who need help with the process should go to ChooseHealthDE.com for a list of enrollment specialists.

Landgraf said the state hopes to receive information on the age, race, ethnicity and other characteristics of Delaware's enrollees in time for the next meeting of the Delaware Health Care Commission on March 5.

Today's federal report said that about 11.4 million Americans selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled during the 2015 open enrollment period, which began Nov. 15 of last year. The report can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/blog/2015/02/open-enrollment-week-thirteen.html

"We had a strong open enrollment," HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said. "And in the final day, more new consumers signed up for health coverage than on any other day this open enrollment or last. - The Affordable Care Act is now an important part of the everyday lives of millions of Americans. They finally have the financial and health security that comes with affordable health coverage. They now can fill prescriptions and take their children to the doctor. Some no longer have to choose between paying for health care and paying their utility bill. While we have more work to do, the numbers tell the story, and the story is clear. The Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses, and taxpayers are all better off as a result."

During the 2014 open enrollment period that ended last April, 14,397 Delawareans selected a marketplace plan.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.