Since open enrollment began Saturday, 19,839 people have conducted preliminary screenings through Kynect, Kentucky's state health care exchange established through the Affordable Care Act.
Gov. Steve Beshear's office issued the most recent numbers in a news release on Monday afternoon. As of 4 p.m. Monday:
- 32,235 unique visitors to the Kynect website viewing 730,318 pages
- 19,839 individuals have conducted preliminary screenings
- 5,243 calls have been handled by the Kynect contact center
- 1,579 new accounts have been created
- 4,322 applications have been submitted
- 1,367 people have downloaded the new Kynect app
- 1,183 individuals have newly enrolled or renewed their enrollment in a qualified health plan
- 735 individuals have enrolled in Medicaid
- 287 individuals have enrolled in dental plans
- 1,197 individuals have visited the new Kynect store at Fayette Mall in Lexington and 173 have completed applications for new coverage
As WFPL previously reported, changes have been made to how Kynect lets people shop for health insurance. This year, the actual premium price of health insurance is displayed, and enrollees can also complete a preliminary eligibility determination to see if they quality for Medicaid or a subsidy.
The state has also doubled the number of Kynectors—people who assist people enroll in the exchange—and created a mobile app to provide people with preliminary estimates and a guide to enrollment assistance.
Also, a retail storefront has opened at Fayette Mall in Lexington to allow people to browse plans and complete an application for health insurance.
This is the second open enrollment period for Kynect. During the state's first open enrollment period last year, more than 521,000 people signed up.
Kentucky has the second highest decline in the rate of uninsured among adult residents, according to a Gallup poll released in August. In 2013, 20.4 percent of residents were uninsured, compared to 11.9 percent midyear 2014.
Open enrollment ends Feb. 15.
