Health exchange enrollment grows even after deadline

TRENTON (AP) — New Jersey enrollment the federal government's health insurance exchange has jumped since the regular deadline for coverage this year.

A government report released Thursday shows that 29,000 people in the state signed up for coverage on the exchange from Feb. 23 through June 30.

That adds to the 254,000 people who were registered as of the Feb. 22 deadline.

Federal law allows people to sign up for coverage if they lose health insurance coverage elsewhere or have other major life changes.

People were also allowed to sign up in April after the federal tax deadline. That was the first time people were assessed a penalty for not having coverage.

Most people using the exchange qualify for federal subsidies.

The next open enrollment period begins Nov. 1.

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