The Hawaii Health Connector signed up 13,356 residents for Obamacare coverage as of Sunday’s enrollment deadline.
That compares with roughly 2,100 at the same time a year ago, Jeff Kissel, the Connector’s executive director, said Monday.
The total number of individuals who selected plans for 2015 is now approximately 23,000, despite computer glitches that persisted at the start of open enrollment.
This year’s enrollment figure is expected to grow once an estimated 3,000 applications — delayed due to glitches with the Internal Revenue Service and other federal data hubs used to verify income — are completed, Kissel said. In addition, there are still some paper applications yet to be processed.
The state-based exchange signed up roughly 9,800 people in health plans during last year’s six-month enrollment period, which was extended due to computer malfunctions and ended in April.
The federal government has extended its sign-up deadline on healthcare.gov until Sunday following glitches in the IRS system that may have held up the application process for as many as 500,000 Americans, according to USA Today.
"Because they were experiencing congestion we had some delay, but our system functioned the whole time," Kissel said. "As long as they got in process before midnight (Sunday), we’re not going to turn them away before they complete the process. Our objective is to get everybody enrolled who wants to be enrolled."
For those unable to get through to the Connector’s call center or enroll online, there is still a chance to get coverage on a "case-by-case basis," Kissel said.
Also, residents who applied for Medicaid but are denied may be added to the Connector rolls. Medicaid, the government insurance program for low-income residents, has up to 45 days to determine whether applicants qualify for the program. Applicants not eligible for Medicaid are sent to the Connector for coverage and can apply for subsidies and cost-share reductions that are based on income.
Last year there was a backlog of 11,000 Connector applicants in the Medicaid system, which the Connector blamed in part for its low enrollment numbers. Kissel said he is unaware of any backlog this time around.
"For the next 45 days we will gladly accept their applications in process," he said. "If it turns out they have a backlog, everyone will get coverage. It will be retroactive to March 1."
The Obamacare exchange got off to a rough start in its second enrollment period, which began Nov. 15. Customers reported technical problems on the website that left them unable to enroll, and many were forced to sign up via phone or in person.
The Connector received $204.3 million in federal grants and has been plagued with problems from its inception, after a series of computer glitches and a late start in October 2013. This is the first time consumers were able to re-enroll in medical plans on the exchange.
Coverage starts March 1 for those who signed up by Feb. 15. Residents with incomes above the federal poverty line who do not obtain health coverage face an IRS penalty of $325 per person or 2 percent of household income, whichever is greater.
