HHS provides update on federal exchange figures

As of Dec. 24, more than 1.1 million people have enrolled in health plans offered on the federal exchanges since the website opened on Oct. 1, according to a post by CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. Tavenner said more than 975,000 people enrolled through the federal exchange in December alone, up from a combined 137,204 in October and November. Enrollment through the state and federal exchanges will continue through March 31, 2014, and Tavenner said CMS expects to see enrollment continue to "ramp up" over the enrollment period. People who enrolled in plans offered on the federal exchange by Dec. 24 are guaranteed coverage starting Wednesday. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia are running their own exchanges and have yet to report enrollment data for December. ...