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 Last week, which included the Thanksgiving holiday, 303,010 people
chose Obamacare plans from Healthcare.gov. Almost half, 49 percent,
were new customers, while the others renewed 2014 policies. From
Nov. 15-21, 462,125 people chose health plans; 48 percent were new
customers.
The federal website, which serves people in the 35 states that are
not operating their own Obamacare exchange, has operated essentially
without a hitch since it opened on Nov. 15, in dramatic contrast to
the disastrous roll-out a year ago.
Enrollment for 2015 coverage closes on Feb. 15. Current customers
who do not actively sign up again by Dec. 15 will be automatically
re-enrolled in their 2014 plan, though consumers might find a
cheaper or better plan if they comparison shop on the exchange.
"We're encouraging everyone who is already covered through the
Marketplace to come back and shop because there could be savings,"
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said in a
statement.
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Last year, Health and Human Services, which runs Healthcare.gov, did
not make enrollment data public for weeks. Under Burwell, who took
up her new job in June, HHS has promised to release it weekly.
(Reporting by Sharon Begley; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
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