Listen
HealthCare.gov screengrab
Federal health officials released the latest enrollment figures Wednesday, showing 9.9 million people have already signed up for an individual health plan for 2015, or were re-enrolled in their plans from last year. In Texas, enrollments reached 969,461.
“There’s no question that I’m thrilled at the number,” said Marjorie Petty, regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Petty hinted that she expects Texas to surpass one million enrollments by the February 15 deadline.
“I don’t want to predict but I’m sure we’re going to hit a great number this year,” she said. “(I’m) very, very proud of what Texas has done.”
The Dallas-Forth Worth area has garnered the most enrollments so far, with the Houston region in second place with 256,982 sign-ups.
Helpful links
Houston-area assistance and upcoming enrollment events: Enroll Gulf Coast
National enrollment website and hotline: Healthcare.gov
Find a licensed insurance broker or agent: National Association of Health Underwriters zip code search.
That’s about 25 percent of the roughly one million people in the Houston region who are uninsured.
Petty pleaded with people not to wait until the deadline, because the paperwork can sometimes take a few days. After February 15, people can’t purchase coverage for 2015 unless they experience a qualifying life event like losing a job.
“You might find being a day late leaves you a lot more dollars short, if you put it off,” Petty said.