AP Wire

148K sign up for coverage through federal marketplace

by The Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — More than 148,500 Louisiana residents have enrolled for health insurance through the federal marketplace, as the sign-up deadline nears.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the latest enrollment data Wednesday, covering insurance plan selections through the end of January. The numbers exceed last year, when about 102,000 Louisianians signed up through the enrollment period.

Of the people enrolled so far, more than one-third — about 52,000 — are in the metropolitan New Orleans area. Most of those who have signed up are eligible for federal subsidies to help cover their costs, according to the federal health department.

The insurance marketplace was created through President Barack Obama's health overhaul. Enrollment began Nov. 15 and wraps up Feb. 15.