About 23k Nevadans sign up with health exchange in 1st month

Officials say more than 23,000 Nevadans have signed up for coverage through the health insurance exchange in the first month of open enrollment.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is urging people to sign up before Dec. 15 if they want coverage that kicks at the first of the year.

Open enrollment began Nov. 1 and will run through the end of January. About 73,000 Nevadans signed up for plans through the exchange during a similar open enrollment period last year.

The health exchange is geared toward people who don’t already have coverage through their employer or a government program such as Medicaid. Most of the people who sign up for plans are eligible for subsidies or tax breaks based on their income.