ND Health Insurance Enrollment Up Sharply

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — About 1,500 North Dakotans signed up for private insurance under the federal health care law in January, and the state no longer has the lowest total in the nation.

Including people enrolling for Medicaid, North Dakota's total enrollment is close to 7,000. The Bismarck Tribune reports the total pushes North Dakota ahead of South Dakota and Wyoming, which have about 5,000 and 5,300 signups, respectively.

People can compare coverage and prices and select health plans through the marketplace. The open enrollment period ends March 31. Uninsured people who don't sign up for a plan will face tax penalties when they file their returns for the 2014 tax year.