Federal records show that 17,800 people have enrolled in the Wyoming insurance exchange
The number of people finding health insurance coverage through Wyoming’s exchange continues to grow. According to information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, some 17,800 people have enrolled in the state’s health insurance exchange during the most recent open enrollment period. Many people are coming to the exchange to find affordable coverage, the cost of which is being offset by the availability of subsidies from the federal government.
State’s exchange manages to resolve its technical problems
The state’s insurance exchange appears to operating more smoothly than it did last year. During the last open enrollment period, the state’s exchange experienced some modest technical problems. These issues made it difficult for some consumers to use the exchange to purchase coverage. Over the past several months, the mild problems that the exchange had experienced have been resolved, allowing more people to use the exchange effectively. During the 2013-2014 open enrollment period, approximately 12,000 people were able to sign up for coverage through the Wyoming insurance exchange.
Majority of those enrolled in the exchange are eligible for financial aid from the federal government
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the majority (63%) of those receiving coverage through the exchange are re-enrollees. Approximately 37% of people signing up for the exchange are first-time customers. The vast majority of all enrollees, approximately 91%, are eligible for subsidies provided by the federal government. These subsidies are meant to make health insurance coverage more affordable. The availability of these subsidies has also made the state’s exchange more attractive to consumers.
Open enrollment period is soon to come to an end
The open enrollment period is coming to a close relatively soon. Consumers interested in purchasing insurance coverage from an exchange have until February 15 to do so. After this date, people will no longer be able to purchase health insurance through a state exchange, except under certain circumstances. Those without insurance coverage may be subject to fines from the federal government this year as well.