Hawaii Health Connector enrollees reach 4,661

The total number of individuals who have selected a health plan on the state’s online insurance exchange totaled 4,661 as of March 1, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

However, a separate study released Wednesday by Avalere Health projects enrollment on the Hawaii Health Connector will surge 70 percent this year to 16,000.

The state-based insurance exchange assigned to enroll residents in coverage got off to a rough start after missing its Oct. 1 launch date by two weeks because of software problems that officials are still working to fix.

The exchange was created by President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, which mandates most Americans get insurance or face tax penalties beginning this year.