Bethany Bump is reporting for the Times Union 4.7 million New Yorkers enrolled in a health insurance plan through the state's online insurance marketplace by the close of business Dec. 15, the deadline for Jan. 1, 2019 coverage. That number reflects a nearly 9 percent increase in enrollment levels over last year, when 4.3 million residents shopped for insurance on NY State of Health. Enrollment in the state's low-cost Essential Plan was up 5.1 percent from last year. Medicaid enrollment constituted the bulk of coverage sign-ups, with enrollment in Child Health Plus, a similar program but for children, increasing 10.4 percent over 2018. Private insurance coverage can still be obtained through the marketplace. The deadline to select a qualified health plan is Jan. 31. Anyone looking for more information on available plans, or to enroll, can go to nystateofhealth [dot] ny [dot] gov or call the Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777. Read the full story in the Times Union.