Obamacare signups top 12.7 million, exceeding expectations, HHS says
The administration's 2016 year-end goal was to have 10 million people covered through the exchanges.
A last-minute surge lifted the total enrollment in Obamacare to 12.7 million this year, accounting for 9.6 million consumers enrolled or re-enrolled for coverage through Healthcare.gov and 3.1 million people who selected plans through the state-based marketplaces.
More than 4 million new consumers gained health insurance coverage during open enrollment from Nov. 1, 2015 to Feb. 1, 2016, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced on Thursday.
[Also: Licking wounds, insurers accelerate moves to limit health-law enrollment]
The administration's 2016 year-end goal was to have 10 million people covered through the exchanges.
The numbers exceed federal goals, Burwell said her statement on Thursday. About 60 percent, or 2.4 million of new enrollees, signed up by the deadline for coverage to begin on January 1, compared to about 40 percent, or 1.9 million of new enrollees last year, she said.
"Open Enrollment for 2016 is over and we are happy to report it was a success," Burwell said. "Instead of waiting until the last moment, as we saw in previous years, people signed up for coverage by the first deadline because they wanted coverage to start as soon as possible."
[Also: Licking wounds, insurers accelerate moves to limit health-law enrollment]
Younger consumers, those ages 18 to 24, accounted for 2.7 million of enrollees, according to Burwell.
Week 13, between Jan. 24 and Feb. 1, was the last week of open enrollment. The deadline was extended from Jan. 31. During the last week, 686,708 consumers selected plans through the marketplace.
"While we won't know how this season's signups will precisely impact the uninsured rate until later in the year, it's clear that, with these 4 million ... we will continue to make progress," Burwell said.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
