Health coverage takes effect amid high demand
By News Staff
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Information provided by Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Health coverage is taking effect for Rhode Islanders who enrolled through the state's new insurance marketplace, amid long wait times for some and other problems that slowed enrollment before a key sign-up deadline.
Individuals had through day's end Tuesday to enroll through HealthSource RI for coverage beginning Wednesday.
About 9,800 people had signed up from Oct. 1 through Dec. 28. It wasn't immediately clear how many were previously uninsured.
Payments must be made by Jan. 6.
HealthSource RI Director Christine Ferguson said this week that “exceptionally high” call volumes and walk-in traffic were stretching the agency's ability to handle enrollment before the first sign-up deadline.
She also cited issues with identification and income verification that have made the process “time consuming and frustrating.''
Open enrollment continues through March 31.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6/ Associated Press
