More than 16,000 in NH sign up under health law

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- About 5,000 more New Hampshire residents selected a health plan through the new federal insurance market last month, surpassing sign-up targets and bringing the total so far to more than 16,000, the Obama administration said Wednesday.

Figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show 16,863 New Hampshire residents signed up from Oct. 1 through Feb. 1. The total at the end of December had been 11,446.

Nationally, nearly 3.3 million people have signed up for private insurance under the health care law. New Hampshire was among a dozen states that have met or surpassed sign-up targets spelled out in a Sept. 5 memo to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Those numbers set a target of 11,780 sign-ups in New Hampshire by Feb. 1, putting New Hampshire's current total at nearly 89 percent of the target for the end of open enrollment March 31.

As was the case nationally, more women selected plans than men in New Hampshire, and nearly three-quarters have gotten financial help. At 36 percent, adults between 55 and 64 made up the largest age group. Less than 10 percent were between the ages of 18 and 25.

Hoping to boost those numbers, the organization promoting the marketplace, Covering New Hampshire, is participating in National Youth Enrollment Day this weekend. Along with the North Country Health Consortium, the group will host five enrollment events in northern New Hampshire on Saturday. Certified assisters will be on hand in Lancaster, Gorham, Littleton, Haverhill and Plymouth to answer questions and help young people sign up for coverage.