Home » Kynect open enrollment runs Nov. 15-Feb. 15

Kynect open enrollment runs Nov. 15-Feb. 15

First day of enrollment shows strong interest as Kentuckians begin signing up

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 17, 2014) – Open enrollment through kynect, the state’s health benefit exchange, began Nov. 15 with a strong showing of interest from Kentuckians. Those who need health insurance are encouraged to log on or contact an insurance agent or kynector Nov. 15 through Feb. 15, 2015 to see their options for quality, affordable health coverage in 2015.

kynect_logo_4C_300“Kentucky is the hands-down national leader in helping people access affordable health care,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “Our exchange, kynect, is the gold standard for ease of use and convenience. Today Kentuckians began to review their options and apply for health coverage in 2015,” “We encourage everyone—those who bought health plans on the exchange last year and those who may not have—to go shop again to ensure you find the best plan for your family.”

First day interest in kynect’s second annual open enrollment period was brisk, as reflected by statistics current as of 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15:

  • 6,200 unique visitors to the kynect website viewing 158,000 pages;
  • 5,000 individuals have conducted preliminary screenings;
  • 2,415 calls have been handled by the kynect contact center;
  • 479 new accounts have been created;
  • 504 applications have been submitted;
  • 1,000 people have downloaded the new kynect app;
  • 368 individuals have newly enrolled in a qualified health plan;
  • 133 individuals have enrolled in Medicaid;
  • 82 individuals have enrolled in dental plans; and
  • 70 visitors to the kynect store at Fayette Mall in Lexington have completed 33 applications for new coverage.

Kentucky was hailed as a national leader last year when more than 521,000 Kentuckians enrolled in health care coverage through kynect. Three out of every four enrollees reported that they had no health insurance prior to signing up through kynect. A Gallup poll this summer reported that thanks to kynect, Kentucky had the second-highest reduction of uninsured people in the country, falling from 20.4 percent in 2013 to 11.9 percent midway through 2014.

Among improvements to kynect this year are:

  • enhancements at kynect.ky.gov to make seeing your costs and options and enrolling even easier;
  • a kynect mobile app for Android and Apple devices that can give you a preliminary estimate and guide Kentuckians to help or enrollment events in their area;
  • additional call center staff and capacity; and
  • a full-service enrollment retail storefront at the Fayette Mall in Lexington.

“We made tremendous headway last year, but we still have thousands of Kentuckians who need insurance for themselves and for their families,” said Carrie Banahan, executive director of kynect. “Not only do we encourage first-time insurance buyers to check out kynect online, by phone or in-person with an insurance agent or kynector, we are also strongly encouraging those who enrolled last year to check out the plans available for 2015. You could get a bigger subsidy, a lower monthly cost, or more network options if you shop again.”

Visit https://kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-4kynect (459-6328) to learn more about affordable health care options for Kentuckians.