Almost 103,000 Kentuckians now on private health insurance through Kynect, state says

More than 158,000 Kentuckians signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid coverage in the second round of open enrollment under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The signup total of 158,685 as of Feb. 19 included almost 103,000 Kentuckians who renewed or bought private coverage. The state said the total broke down this way:

• 55,855 enrolled in Medicaid coverage (which is open year-round).
• 75,760 individuals renewed enrollment in private insurance.
• 27,070 individuals newly enrolled in private insurance.
• 6,009 individuals enrolled in dental plans.

“We had a tremendously successful second open enrollment period, with many new individuals signing up or continuing their health coverage through Kynect,” the state's health-insurance marketplace, Gov. Steve Beshear said in a news release. “When people get health insurance, they generally take immediate steps to get healthier, which will help our workforce get even stronger.”