Deadline extended for Obamacare signups
The Obama administration is giving consumers a few extra days to sign up on HealthCare.gov in time for health insurance coverage to take effect Jan. 1.
The new deadline is midnight Monday, four days past the previous deadline of Thursday night. The unexpected extension was announced after close of business Thursday. Kevin Counihan, CEO of the federal health insurance markets, said the extension was granted because of strong interest among those signing up to qualify for coveage under the health exchange markets on Jan. 1.
The Obama administration has set a goal of signing up 13.8 million people for 2017, a modest increase. So far enrollment is running about on par with last year, but the share of new customers is down.
Open enrollment ends Jan. 31.