Enrollments in the Maryland health exchange up in first week

Nov. 08--Enrollments in Maryland's health exchange are well ahead of last year one week into the sign-up period, exchange officials said.

Total enrollments of 10,420 are double the same number this time last year. Further, consumers appear to be shopping around for the plans, created under the Affordable Care Act largely for those who do not get health insurance through work.

The heavy activity -- through the website, marylandhealthconnection.gov, and the mobile app -- appear to mirror the interest in the federal exchange used by about three dozen states, according to media reports. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not released official counts.

The activity defies the expectations of some advocates who feared political turmoil at the federal level over the insurance, known as Obamacare, as well as a shortened enrollment period, cuts to subsidies and the marketing budget, and big spikes in premium costs, would put off potential enrollees.

About 150,000 people in Maryland enrolled in private plans through the exchange for coverage this year. Many more have become covered under an expanded Medicaid program, which covers low-income residents.

meredith.cohn@baltsun.com