The state’s new health exchange reports nearly 697,000 New Yorkers have completed applications for insurance while more than 412,000 of them have now enrolled for specific coverage.

The health department says enrollment for individual and family coverage since October includes 251,306 New Yorkers in the 16 commercial and nonprofit insurers in the exchange and 160,915 in government-funded Medicaid.

Open enrollments continue through March for 2014 coverage at state-approved rates. Applicants with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty line are eligible for tax credits to help offset premium payments.

Another online exchange offers insurance for businesses with up to 50 employees.

(AP)