More than 9.5 million people have signed up for health insurance on the Obamacare online marketplaces, the federal government said Tuesday.
Most — more than 7 million — have signed up on the federally run exchanges that 37 states are using. Another 2.4 million signed up in 12 states that have their own online marketplaces, and in Washington, D.C. About 87 percent will get federal subsidies to help pay their premiums.
That’s more than the federal government aimed for last fall, when the second year of so-called open enrollment for the exchanges began. More than one-third are under 35 – an important consideration for the insurance companies offering plans on the exchanges, as they need younger, healthier people to help pay for sicker people who will use their insurance coverage more.
More than half — 58 percent — are signing up for a second year of coverage.
The Congressional Budget Office says the federal subsidies, as well as federal coverage for expanding Medicaid, will cost $571 billion between now and 2019.
This is the first year that people will have to report on their income taxes whether they had health insurance last year. Most people who do not have health coverage will have to pay extra tax.
People have until Feb. 15 to sign up for coverage that begins this year.
IN-DEPTH
- Obamacare Court Ruling Could Take Insurance From Millions
- Administration Lowers its Obamacare Sights
- Half a Million Sign up in Obamacare's First Week
