Since Open Enrollment began on Nov. 1, about 8.8 million consumers signed-up for health coverage through the HealthCare.gov platform or had their coverage automatically renewed, including 180,109 people in Alabama.

According to a release from the Department of Health and Human Services, as of January 16,

• 71,533 consumers in the Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa) local media market area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan

• 9,015 consumers in the Dothan local media market area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan

• 36,120 consumers in the Huntsville-Decatur (FLOR) local media market area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan

• 61,941 consumers in the Mobile-Pensacola (Ft Walt) local media market area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan

“As expected, consumer interest is beginning to increase again as we near the deadline for 2016 coverage,” HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said.

 

“We know we have more work to do and as we count down to the January 31 final deadline, we’re focused on making sure consumers understand that they must act soon to find affordable health coverage and avoid the fee for choosing to not have health insurance in 2016. Consumers should know that we’re here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”