10,000 more Washington residents sign up for health insurance

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington health officials say 10,000 more Washington residents signed up for health insurance during the first few weeks of open enrollment.

Nearly 46,000 of the people who signed up last year or earlier this year for health insurance have renewed their insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder since enrollment opened on Nov. 15. A total of about 130,000 people signed up for insurance during the first open enrollment period.

Washington residents have until Dec. 23 to sign up and pay for insurance if they want to start their coverage on Jan. 1.

Exchange officials hope to sign up an additional 85,000 people during the second open enrollment period that continues until Feb. 15.