While the 2018 open enrollment period is set to conclude on Saturday, officials at New York's health insurance exchange say the number of people in the state without coverage is down, while they continue to work to get more people on a plan.

In December alone, 50,000 people signed up for health insurance through the exchange, which provides pooled health care coverage meant to keep premiums low as part of the Affordable Care Act. Health Exchange Director Donna Frescatore says the cost of premiums for most New Yorkers are expected to remain largely flat.   

"What premiums people see and what changes depends on where they're located in the state and what options they choose," Frescatore said.

New York's health exchange was created in 2012 and, combined with private and public health care plans like Medicare and Medicaid, has reduced the number of uninsured people in New York to five percent of the population. Nevertheless, outreach to get people to sign up continues as the federal government has scaled back its own efforts to get people to sign up for insurance.

Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he wanted to codify aspects of the Affordable Care Act into state law. That would likely include the health exchange, which was created by executive order. 

"I think we'll see how that discussion proceeds, but I know certainly New York made a decision to operate its own exchange and I think that's serve New Yorkers well," Frescatore said.

Those who signing up for insurance before the deadline will have their coverage begin on Jan. 1.