State-run exchanges experience success

Although glitches in the health insurance marketplaces persist across the country, some state-run exchanges are seeing strong enrollment and completed applications as consumers shop for insurance benefits online.

According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 100,000 people have finished their health plan applications on the exchanges and at least 38,000 Americans have been able to buy insurance since the marketplaces’ Oct. 1 opening. The WSJ reported the number of processed forms indicates there’s a large amount of work that goes into filling out the application besides choosing the class of coverage.

“Many consumers are taking their time to consider their options,” Joanne Peters, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services, told The WSJ. “We have more than 170 days left to go [until the end of open enrollment March 31].”

Michigan is one of the states that is experiencing significant turnout. According to The Associated Press, Michigan’s premium estimator, or the online tool within the marketplace that helps residents preview plans and receive information, was used approximately 120,000 times between Oct. 1 and Oct. 10. The AP reported Michigan hopes the exchanges will become easier for residents to use and enrollment will continue to increase as people become familiar with the site.