Thousands Have Signed Up For Health Insurance in Washington

Nearly 50,000 residents in Washington state have signed up for insurance since open enrollment started earlier this month for the state's new health exchange.

Officials with the Washington Health Benefit Exchange said Monday that of the 48,995 enrollments recorded as of last Friday, more than 6,300 were for health plans certified by the state, and the remaining were those enrolling for Medicaid coverage.

An additional 52,723 residents have completed online applications that are awaiting payment that is due in December. Officials say they plan to add 145 new customer support representatives to help alleviate wait times for calls to the exchange's toll-free number.

Washington residents have six months to buy health insurance through the new exchange during the first enrollment period ending in March.