More uninsured Mississippians are signing up for health coverage on the new insurance exchange. As MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports Monday represents an important deadline for those without insurance who want to be covered as soon as possible.
Monday is the last day that Mississippi can enroll in a new insurance plan and have it kick in at the start of the new year.
Enrolling after the 23rd means the policy will not start providing coverage until February.
The two insurance companies that are selling in Mississippi, Humana and Magnolia, are reporting a big increase in enrollment after a slow start.
Mitch Lubitz with says they have launched a new effort to get as many people signed up by Monday including a new website, sales reps on the ground, and a 24-7 call center.
"Humana believes it is very important to provide access all Americans for quality, affordable health coverage. And we want to educate and enroll as many people in Mississippi who are uninsured and their families," Lubitz said.
Lubitz says they have noticed an increase in enrollment but did not have updated numbers available.
However, the other company Magnolia did have an updated total saying they have signed up over 15-hundred people, which is double the total from both companies at the end of November.
Jason Dees with Magnolia says he expects that number to grow rapidly.
"I think you will see people that sign up in the first couple months of the year. I think it is one of those things that as more people get through the process, the process is much easier now and I think we will continue to see increased enrollment," Dees said.
Out reach events and mobile sign up buses have been criss-crossing the state to enroll Mississippians before open enrollment closes at the end of March.
An estimated 275-thousand uninsured Mississippians are eligible for the private-federally subsidized insurance sold on the exchange.
Health Care Enrollment Growing In Mississippi
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