ObamaCare enrollments jump as deadline approaches

Federal ObamaCare enrollments jumped by about one-third in the last two weeks of January, signaling the start of what experts believe will be surge of sign-ups before the Feb. 15 deadline.

“We’re seeing a ramp up of folks that we’re encouraged by,” said HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan on a call with reporters.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Wednesday that 179,710 people selected plans on the federal exchange between Jan. 24 and 30, compared with 137,298 the week before.

{mosads}The highest number of total sign-ups among HealthCare.gov states is in Florida, where 1.3 million people have picked health plans since Nov. 15, HHS said. Texas came in second, with 969,461 people choosing plans.

HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell called on consumers to visit the site and see if they are eligible for tax credits.

“Time is running out. Consumers should shop at HealthCare.gov for an affordable plan that fits their budget and health needs,” the secretary said in a statement, adding that 87 percent of enrollees have qualified for financial help.

Burwell told lawmakers earlier Wednesday that 9.9 million people have signed up for ObamaCare since Nov. 15 on the federal and state exchanges.

It is unclear whether this figure will put the administration past its goal of 9.1 million paid enrollments, as most people who have chosen plans have not paid their first premium.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Principal Deputy Administrator Andy Slavitt said that consumers should consider Feb. 15 the final deadline, though if people “get in line” and cannot complete their applications by the deadline, they will be given more time.

“We will follow the same procedure as last year,” Slavitt said. “We will make sure that they get covered.”

—This post was updated at 2:52 p.m. with comments from HHS officials.