New York’s new online health exchange reports 197,011 New Yorkers have completed applications to get insured, while 48,162 have subsequently enrolled in plans, nearly half in the government-funded Medicaid program for low-income New Yorkers.

The exchange, which opened Oct. 1 as the state’s response to the federal Affordable Care Act, includes low-cost plans for individuals and small businesses with coverage starting Jan. 1.

Software contractors who designed and manage the exchange expect a spike in activity in December and January.

State officials have estimated 1.1 million uninsured will enroll over the next few years.

New York’s exchange was also designed to link uninsured people who are eligible to Medicaid, which already covers about 5.1 million New Yorkers.

(AP)