Nearly 200K Missourians sign up for health insurance under ACA

Nearly 200,000 Missourians signed up during the second enrollment period for the health insurance marketplace, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports.

For coverage starting Feb. 1, the Affordable Care Act deadline was yesterday. According to a news release, at least 197,539 people signed up by deadline.

A third enrollment deadline is Feb. 15, said HSS Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

“If you don’t enroll by Feb. 15, then you may have to wait until next year to sign up for affordable coverage,” Burwell said in the release. “In the first month, 89 percent of Missouri consumers who signed up were eligible for financial assistance.”

Since the beginning of open enrollment Nov. 15, about 6.8 million people registered for a plan through the federal marketplace.

Under the ACA, Americans are required to have health insurance or pay penalties.