INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Enrollment is beginning for Indiana residents on the federal health insurance exchange.
 
The federal Healthcare.gov website began accepting applications for insurance Tuesday, the first day of a six-month enrollment period under the new health care law.  Federal workers reported longer than expected processing times on the government's health care Twitter account Tuesday.
 
Indiana officials estimate more than 500,000 residents will be eligible for subsidized plans through the exchange. Indiana is one of 36 states that opted not to participate in the creation of an exchange.
 
The state has hired additional help to work through an expected increase in Medicaid enrollment.
 
Health care advocates urged Indianapolis residents to begin signing up for insurance soon at a forum on the new law Monday night, despite the six-month enrollment period.