BOSTON (AP) — More people are signing up for insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Officials at the agency say 274,783 people enrolled for coverage beginning in January. Last year at this time, 251,949 people had enrolled for January coverage.

That’s more than a 9 percent year-to-year increase.

An additional 10,000 people have picked a plan, but haven’t paid to complete their enrollment.

People can still apply and enroll for coverage starting in February. The deadline for open enrollment for February goes until Jan. 23.

Since 2006, Massachusetts has had a state individual mandate and requires adults have health coverage or face a tax penalty.


Of the people who have paid and are enrolled for January coverage, more than 41,000 did not have Health Connector coverage at the start of the open enrollment period.