With the open enrollment period for insurance benefits now past, states and insurers are now looking at how many people will actually finish their enrollment by paying their first premiums. According to The Bismarck Tribune, more than 5,000 residents in North Dakota signed up for insurance through HeathCare.gov and have already paid their first premiums, and the majority will end up paying for coverage.
The number of North Dakotans who enrolled for insurance benefits through the federal marketplace is higher than 5,000, but the Tribune reported one insurer has already seen between 55 percent to 60 percent actually pay for coverage.
In fact, an insurer had 4,338 North Dakotans enroll in coverage through the federal marketplace, according to local NBC affiliate KQCD, and approximately two-thirds of these residents were able to receive some type of financial assistance. More people may continue to sign up for benefits through the extension.
The Tribune reported it may take a few years for the open enrollment process through the federal and state marketplaces to run smoothly. However, one director of health policy impact at an insurer in North Dakota said he was pleased with the number of North Dakotans who signed up for benefits.