Over 105K in NJ enroll in health exchange

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- More than 105,000 New Jersey residents chose new health insurance plans in the first month of open enrollment in the health insurance marketplace, including about 45,000 for the first time.

The enrollment figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Health & Human Services Department show that 82 percent of those eligible to enroll were also eligible for federal tax credits. That's up from 79 percent during the first open enrollment period last year.

The figures also show that nearly 21,000 were eligible for Medicaid.

During the law's first year, 162,000 signed up in New Jersey.

The report showed enrollment from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15. Plans take effect Jan. 1.

More than 3.4 million people enrolled using HealthCare.gov across the country.

New and current customers can re-enroll or change plans through Feb. 15.

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