HealthSource RI enrollments surge ahead of Dec. 31 deadline

HEALTHSOURCE RI more than doubled the number of private insurance enrollees in the first two weeks of December, to 5,469 from 2,649 as of Nov. 30.
HEALTHSOURCE RI more than doubled the number of private insurance enrollees in the first two weeks of December, to 5,469 from 2,649 as of Nov. 30.

PROVIDENCE – During the first two weeks of December, 2,820 Rhode Islanders enrolled for private health insurance through HealthSource RI, more than doubling the number of Rhode Islanders that had enrolled in the exchange’s first two months of operation, HealthSource RI Director Christine Ferguson said Monday.

As of Nov. 30, 2,649 people had enrolled for individual or family plans through HealthSource RI.

Also during the first two weeks of December, 38 new small employer enrollments were completed, on top of the 26 small employers that had enrolled in October and November, Ferguson noted.

Acknowledging that high call volumes and walk-in traffic at the HealthSource RI contact center have led to long waits in the run-up to the Dec. 31 enrollment deadline, Ferguson thanked the public for its patience and said HealthSource RI will increase staffing at the center.

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“Although there’s been some frustration about wait times,” Ferguson said, “I’m happy to report that we’re seeing a significant spike in the number of Rhode Islanders and Rhode Island small employers who are enrolling through HealthSource RI.”

Last week, HealthSource RI extended to Dec. 31 the deadline by which individuals and families must enroll for coverage effective Jan. 1.

Small employers have until Dec. 27 to select a plan for their employees. Employers that choose to grant a contribution to allow employees to shop for their own HealthSource RI coverage must register with HealthSource RI by Dec. 27 and may then set a plan-selection deadline of their choosing for their employees, provided the plan selections are made no later than Dec. 31.

According to Dara Chadwick, a spokeswoman for HealthSource RI, the contact center will close Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. and will remain closed on Christmas Day. Beginning Dec. 26, the center will be open during regular business hours through New Years Eve.

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