Enrollment rises for Montana health insurance exchange

HELENA — More Montanans are getting medical coverage through the state’s health insurance marketplace.

According to the federal government, 58,114 Montana residents bought their insurance through the marketplace during the most recent open enrollment period. That’s up 7 percent from the previous year.

Last year, 54,266 Montanans were enrolled for health coverage through the exchange.

Open enrollment for 2016 coverage ended Jan. 31.

Meanwhile, the cost of those plans have gone up, although state officials say the higher costs are typically offset by increased tax credits.

Montana is one of 37 states without its own health insurance exchange. The state relies on the federal government’s website, healthcare.gov, to provide health coverage under the ACA.

This year, 12.7 million Americans nationwide bought health insurance through government-run marketplaces under the federal Affordable Care Act.