State health insurance exchange signs up fewer Coloradans this year

Slightly fewer Coloradans enrolled in health insurance plans through the state's exchange this year compared with last, Connect for Health Colorado officials said Tuesday.

A total of 165,777 medical plans were sold through Connect for Health Colorado during the sign-up season, which ended Friday. The figure represented about 6,600 fewer enrollments than last year.

Exchange leaders said the total was in line with their predictions, given this year's shortened enrollment season and months of uncertainty last year over the future of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Last year's sign-up season also lasted through early February, offering shoppers an extra three weeks to enroll.

"We knew we had that to contend with, and we had 22 fewer days to get it done, but we came close to matching it," said Luke Clarke, an exchange spokesman.

Anyone whose 2017 plan was not offered in 2018 still can enroll through March 1.

Otherwise, only people experiencing a major life event - such as having a baby, getting married or getting divorced - can purchase plans for 2018.

Credit: Jakob Rodgers