OLYMPIA - The original deadline to ensure health insurance coverage on Jan. 1 under the Affordable Care Act prompted a spike in visits to Washington Health Plan Finder, according to program officials.

About 20,000 people enrolled in health plans during the weekend from Dec. 20 to Dec. 23, Bethany Frey, the organization's communications specialist, said. About 10,000 of those chose a plan on Dec. 23, the original deadline to pick a plan, pay for it and be assured of receiving coverage by Jan. 1. The deadline was extended 24 hours on the federally-operated exchange.

From the time ACA enrollment opened through Dec. 23, 65,472 people had created enrollment for a qualified health plan, or a plan offered by a private insurer. Another 69,606 had applied for a plan but needed to pay the first premium.

Frey said 179,205 people had applications in process. The information released did not include any details on how many of those people qualified for a premium subsidy, or if any of the in-process applicants were eligible for Medicare.

As of Dec. 23, 100,795 people who applied to the exchange were found to be "newly eligible" for Medicare, with coverage beginning Jan. 1. Another 47,492 were eligible for Medicare and received immediate coverage, Frey said. Other applicants (88,271) were previously covered by some form of insurance but were found to be eligible for Medicaid.

The period to sign up for health insurance ends March 31. Medicaid does not have a specific enrollment period.