PROVIDENCE – With the Dec. 31 deadline looming, Rhode Islanders continued to enroll at HealthSourceRI.com during the period running from Dec. 15 to Dec. 28, with the total number of new enrollees in private plans (including those who have not yet paid) reaching 9,803.
The number of new private-plan enrollees according to the data provided by HealthSource RI had increased by 4,334 in the previous 13 days, the strongest period of enrollment to date.
The most recent figures – through the end of November – for Medicaid sign-ups at HealthSource RI were 5,280.
As of yesterday, HealthSource RI Executive Director Christine Ferguson indicated that the rush to enroll before tonight’s deadline was straining the system.
“We continue to experience exceptionally high call volumes and high walk-in traffic at our contact center,” Ferguson said. “These high volumes have stretched the capacity of both our contact center staff and our systems. In addition, certain systems issues around identity proofing and income verification have made the enrollment process time-consuming and frustrating for many Rhode Islanders who are attempting to enroll in plans through HealthSource RI.”
Ferguson also reminded the public that enrollments are continuing through the evening.
The contact center will be open until 9 p.m. Tuesday. The center is located at 70 Royal Little Drive in Providence. Consumers may continue enrolling online at www.healthsourceri.com for Jan. 1 coverage through the end of the day (with a Jan. 6 payment deadline).
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act ends March 31, 2014. Small employers may enroll at their renewal date, regardless of where that date falls in the calendar year. Medicaid-eligible individuals may enroll throughout the year.
