BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - An analysis for The Associated Press shows people in counties across North Dakota who buy health coverage through the federal insurance marketplace will have more choices among insurers than residents of many other states.
The analysis by Avalere Health and the AP shows that North Dakota's 53 counties all will have two or more participating insurers next year, the same as the Affordable Care Act's 2016 open enrollment period. Next year, four counties will have two participating insurers, while 49 counties will have more than that.
About one-third of U.S. counties will have only one health marketplace insurer next year. That's more than 1,000 counties in 26 states - roughly double the number of counties in 2014.
The 2017 sign-up season starts Tuesday and ends Jan. 31.