Affordable Care Act figures show steady sign-ups in Tennessee, Georgia

December 31, 2014 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated December 31, 2014 at 12:11 a.m.

by Kate Belz

This undated file image shows the website for updated HealthCare,gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service. HealthCare.gov, the online portal for health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law, has been revamped as its second enrollment season approaches. And other major provisions of the Affordable Care Act are taking effect for the first time. A look at website and program changes for consumers and taxpayers: Old: 76 screens to muddle through in insurance application. New: 16 screens _ for the basic application that most new customers will use. But about a third of those new customers are expected to have more complicated cases, and how they'll fare remains to be seen. (AP Photo/file)
This undated file image shows the website for updated HealthCare,gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service. HealthCare.gov, the online portal for health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law, has been revamped as its second enrollment season approaches. And other major provisions of the Affordable Care Act are taking effect for the first time. A look at website and program changes for consumers and taxpayers: Old: 76 screens to muddle through in insurance application. New: 16 screens _ for the basic application that most new customers will use. But about a third of those new customers are expected to have more complicated cases, and how they'll fare remains to be seen. (AP Photo/file)

Need help?

Navigators and certified application counselors are like "shopping assistants." To receive free assistance, consumers need to bring proof of identity, Social Security numbers and birth dates for all members in the household, plus proof of income. Here are some helpers in the Chattanooga area:* Medical Foundation of Chattanooga: 1917 E. Third St., 423-622-2872* Southside Community Health Center: 100 E. 37th St., 423-778-2700* Dodson Avenue Community Health Center: 1200 Dodson Ave., 423-778-2800

The first glance at enrollment numbers in year two of the federal health insurance exchanges shows a steady stream of returning customers and a near-equal number of newcomers.

According to numbers provided Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 87,137 Tennesseans signed up for coverage on the exchange. Georgia saw 187,654 sign-ups the fourth-highest number out of the 37 states whose exchanges are run by the federal government under the Affordable Care Act.

The numbers cover sign-ups from the start of open enrollment on Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, which was the deadline for coverage that will start Jan. 1. Open enrollment in the marketplace runs through Feb. 15, 2015.

In both Tennessee and Georgia, the split between new customers and returning shoppers was roughly 50/50.

Local health care navigator Nancy Ridge said that's the mix her staff has seen at the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, which assisted more than 200 people before the Dec. 15 deadline.

Upcoming events

Navigators with the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga will be holding enrollment events at the following locations.* Jan. 10: Northgate Library, 278 Northgate Mall Drive, Hixson, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.* Feb. 7: E.G. Fisher Public Library, 1289 Ingleside Ave., Athens, Tenn., 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

"It was back to back," Ridge said. "That was the first crunch. We anticipate another surge after the first of the year."

About 83 percent of Tennesseans who selected plans were eligible for tax subsidies to lower their monthly premiums, compared to 75 percent who selected plans over a similar period last year, the HHS news release said.

Nationwide, more than 4 million people signed up for the first time or re-enrolled in coverage for 2015 during the first month of open enrollment.

People enrolled in coverage through the marketplace for 2014 who did not take action before the Dec. 15 deadline will be automatically enrolled by their insurance companies into their current plans or plans with similar benefits. The numbers released Tuesday do not include those who were re-enrolled.

Contact staff writer Kate Belz at kbelz@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.

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