Washington ( CNN ) -- More than 2 million people have signed up so far for health coverage under Obamacare , officials said Tuesday in trying to put the best face forward before the controversial health care reforms fully kick in with the start of 2014 . The enrollment figure represented a big increase after the botched launch of the system in October , but Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was unable to say how many of the 2.1 million who enrolled have paid their first premium to ensure their policies take effect on Wednesday . Sebelius and other officials also acknowledged the possibility of more potential problems , warning people to bring proof of coverage with them to their doctor or pharmacy , pay premiums when due and double-check with insurers that they are covered . CNNMoney : Starting the new year in Obamacare limbo . Under the reforms , Americans will be required to have health coverage or face a fine . Sebelius called the full implementation of reforms under the 2010 Affordable Care Act a new era in health insurance , noting they mean no denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions or other discriminatory practices such as charging women more than men . `` Starting tomorrow , being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition , '' Sebelius said on a conference call with journalists . The Obamacare enrollment figure is below the target of 3 million originally set by the administration for the end of December , which is halfway through an initial six-month sign-up period under the law intended to help millions of previously uninsured Americans get coverage . Overall , the administration hopes to enroll 7 million people by March 31 while also expanding eligibilty for Medicaid , the government health care program for the impoverished . Sebelius said Tuesday that another 3.9 million people were eligible for coverage through expanded Medicaid and Children 's Health Insurance Program , but she was unable to specify how many have become new enrollees . The botched rollout of the new marketplaces on October 1 , when the HealthCare.gov website set up to handle the enrollment failed to work properly , damaged the sign-up process until the system began working better in early December . Sebelius said the administration was `` doing everything we can to help ensure a smooth transition period '' for people getting new coverage . Anticipating possible problems in the enrollment system , Sebelius also advised in her blog post that `` if you thought you enrolled in health coverage but are n't showing up in the system , call your insurance company directly . '' She also said people could contact the Obamacare call center for assistance . Asked if the website woes in October and November could be due to attacks from outside by Obamacare opponents , a spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told reporters there were technological problems but no sign of hacking . The health care reforms championed by President Barack Obama have become the defining issue of his presidency , with Republicans led by tea party conservatives trying to dismantle them while some Democrats appearing leery of campaigning on them in the November congressional elections . While the Supreme Court ruled the mandate to obtain health coverage was constitutional , further legal challenges are being mounted . Also on Tuesday , a group of Catholic organizations , in an emergency appeal , asked the Supreme Court to delay the Obamacare requirement that certain religious-affiliated groups provide contraception and `` abortion-inducing drug '' coverage to their workers . Catholic groups ask Supreme Court to delay Obamacare mandate . Archdioceses in Washington , D.C. , Tennessee and Michigan -- along with affiliated groups that include Catholic University -- asked Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Elena Kagan to block enforcement of the related employer mandates set to take effect on Wednesday . The issue has been a major sticking sticking point with religious groups and private for-profit companies that have strong moral objections . The Supreme Court agreed last month to hear two cases involving for-profit corporations who say their religious liberty is violated by the law . Top official who oversaw Obamacare website retiring .
Officials ca n't say how many have paid to ensure coverage as of Wednesday . No signs of hacking so far into Obamacare website , an official says . Enrollment figure is below the target originally set by the administration . NEW : Catholic groups seek Supreme Court intervention on Obamacare contraception issue .