Two days ahead of a key signup deadline, the federal government released new enrollment numbers for Nevada’s health insurance exchange.
Nevada Health Link had 77,411 enrollees on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported.
That means the exchange has already bested the 72,000 enrollees that bought coverage through the marketplace in all of 2015’s open-enrollment period, which ran from Nov. 15, 2014, through Feb. 15.
The department said the latest numbers include existing customers who were automatically re-enrolled, though officials didn’t break down how many enrollees were new versus returning.
The current sign-up session began Nov. 1 and continues through Jan. 31.
But consumers must buy a plan by Friday if they want their coverage to take effect on Feb. 1.
Consumers who haven’t bought coverage by Jan. 31 face a federal tax of 2.5 percent of household income, or $695 per adult and $347.50 per child up to a household maximum of $2,085 — whichever is higher.
Buying through a federal or state insurance exchange is the only way consumers can qualify for a premium tax credit. To sign up, visit nevadahealthlink.com or call 855-768-5465.