Connecticut residents signing up for insurance on the state health care exchange still must enroll by midnight Monday in order to receive coverage by January 1.
On Monday, the White House announced a one-day extension for those signing up through the federal website, Healthcare.gov. It gives people signing up on the national sight until midnight on Tuesday to enroll.
"This deadline applies only to the federally facilitated marketplace," said Kevin Counihan, CEO of Access Health CT. "As a state-based marketplace, Access Health CT has established its own enrollment deadlines. Today, December 23rd, remains the enrollment deadline for Connecticut residents who wish to have health care coverage effective January 1, 2014."
Those shopping for insurance packed the health insurance store in New Britain on Monday.
"I'm looking for health insurance because I'm not insured right now," said Loan Quach of Windsor.
Quach said she came into the store after spending six frustrating weeks trying to enroll on her own.
"I tried to apply everything online but I can't because there's some error," she said.
Monday was expected to be the busiest day yet for Access Health CT. At noon, traffic to the website was already double what it normally has been on other days.
"We're pleased with how things are going," said Counihan.
Counihan did acknowledge the various problems people have had with the enrollment process.
"It's not a perfect system," he said. "It's not an easy enrollment process. On average it takes 45 minutes to do."
He said that they are looking to continue to improve.
As of Monday, more than 56,000 have enrolled through the state exchange.
For those who do enroll before the midnight deadline, Counihan said it's important to note that your premium must be paid to the insurance company before January 10.
"Premiums received after January 10 will not count for January 1 enrollment," said Counihan.
He said insurers are largely caught up in sending out ID cards and premium notices.
For those who don't make the December 23rd deadline the very last day you can sign up is March 31.
