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

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)

By Kate Belz December 31, 2014 3 min read

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.