More than 9,000 locals sign up for state insurance marketplace

A total of 9,103 Kootenai County residents — 8 percent of the signups statewide — enrolled in the state's health insurance marketplace for 2019 during the open enrollment period from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15.

The numbers are similar to the previous year, according to Your Health Idaho.

"We are excited it’s been another great year for Idaho’s health insurance enrollments," said Pat Kelly, Your Health Idaho executive director. "We attribute this success to Idahoans understanding the vital role the exchange plays and our ability to offer individuals and families a robust number of insurance plans."

Kootenai County had the third-highest number of enrollments behind Ada County's 24,738 and Canyon County's 10,423.

The statewide total of 103,154 enrollments is the program's second-highest since it was created by the Idaho Legislature in 2013. Your Health Idaho's highest enrollment was 105,977 in 2017.

"Enrollments for Your Health Idaho generally align with the state’s population," Kelly said.

The program's statewide numbers for 2019 show 83 percent of its customers renewing their plans, Kelly said. That’s a percentage point higher than the previous year.

Kelly said the trend indicates the value Idahoans have found in getting health insurance through the exchange.

Your Health Idaho offers plans for any Idahoan seeking coverage in the individual market. It’s the only place Idahoans can receive a tax credit to offset the cost of their monthly premium.

The Affordable Care Act, also dubbed "Obamacare," allowed states to create their own marketplace or use the federal marketplace. Your Health Idaho is Idaho’s state marketplace.

This year, Your Health Idaho offered 293 health and dental plans on the exchange through its partnerships with the Department of Insurance and seven carriers.

The program has a network of more than 900 agents, brokers and enrollment counselors across Idaho who assisted families and individuals for free on health insurance options and selecting a plan that was right for them and their budget.

"It is because of these partnerships that we are able to remain one of the most successful marketplaces in the country," Kelly said.