Covered California healthcare enrollments grow as deadline approaches

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- More than 53,000 people enrolled in Covered California's healthcare exchange in the past three days, the program's executive director announced.

Executive Director Peter Lee said Thursday total enrollment in the program has exceeded 200,000. Lee reminded residents Dec. 23 is the last day to purchase a plan that will go into effect Jan. 1.

Lee said the exchange experienced its highest single-day enrollment Wednesday, and he expects website traffic to increase before Monday's deadline.

Call centers to facilitate enrollment will be available Saturday and Sunday, the newspaper U-T San Diego said.