Federal health officials say 39,023 Kansans signed up for health care coverage through the federally run exchange in the first month of open enrollment.
Those who signed up as of Dec. 15 will have coverage Thursday. People who sign up by Jan. 15 will be covered beginning Feb. 1.
About 57,000 people enrolled in the exchange in Kansas last year. State officials hope more sign up this year but say it is too early to know if that goal will be met.
People can sign up for individual or family coverage until Feb. 15. Penalties for not buying insurance will rise to 2 percent of a household’s income or $325 this year, unless the household is exempted because of financial hardship or some other reason.
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Associated Press Information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal
