Admin To Launch 'Direct Enrollment' Obamacare Pilots In Three States

[ProSense]

Admin To Launch 'Direct Enrollment' Obamacare Pilots In Three States

The Obama administration is launching a pilot program in Florida, Ohio, and Texas that will allow insurance companies to sign people up for coverage under Obamacare directly and forgo HealthCare.gov.

The administration has been considering the process, known as "direct enrollment," for some time.

"This is one more way we are working to offer consumers a variety of ways to enroll in affordable coverage. Direct enrollment is one more option," Julie Bataille, spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services, wrote in a blog post Friday announcing the program. "By strengthening the multiple channels to enroll in quality, affordable coverage through the Marketplace, we are ensuring that every American who wants it can gain access to these new coverage options."

Companies will be able to check an applicant's eligibility for financial assistance by linking with HealthCare.gov, and they will be required to tell applicants that they can log onto the federal website to shop and compare plans.

The direct enrollment option was theoretically already available to insurers, Bataille wrote, but in practice it had been hindered by "recent problems with the website." She indicated that those problems had been fixed to the point that a pilot program could be launched to ensure that it would work smoothly before being expanded to more states and insurers.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obamacare-direct-enrollment-pilot-program

Obamacare tech guru says website capacity to double
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024077316

Boehner proves the wrong point
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024075830

[Pretzel_Warrior]

1. this will definitely be a substandard way to go

because those companies will be foisting their plans and theirs alone with some "fine print" jargon meeting the requirement that they instruct potential customers they can go check other plans on healthcare.gov

Still, with all the whining and belly aching from some of these stupid fucks in the red state hinterlands, I guess it would be a good temporary aid in meeting demand for new policies in coming months.

[ProSense]

2. With every improvement, including more options

the whining gets louder.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. yes it does.

[mattclearing]

4. That's like saying that you shouldn't have a personal accountant do your taxes...

...because H&R Block doesn't offer other accounting firms' packages.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

5. not really.

[mattclearing]

6. Do tell.

It's basically saying that you shouldn't let one business facilitate your interaction with the government because they might sell you their version of interacting with the government with their prices.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

7. well, let's put it this way...if you're looking for a good deal on something you'll be paying

monthly for the next year and that has all kinds of cost trade offs like deductible level, max out of pocket, etc. I would think getting the best broad comparison information first would be the best idea. However, I guess if some are willing to gamble that they'd rather have simplicity and convenience at risk of getting rooked by the insurance provider, that is their wish.

I just think out of all the options (website, phone call, in-person and now this version) phone call would be the easiest for those who are technology challenged and don't want to go through a bunch of screens. That way they know they are getting a fair comparison across multiple competing companies.

But that's just me.

Also, you pay a one-time fee to H.R. BLock or other tax preparer, and any missed savings for YOU don't go to them--they go to the government. So it is a bit different and in my mind not a very good comparison.

[mattclearing]

8. That's fair.

It is admittedly a broad comparison.

I'm not sure I would trust someone at the end of a phone over someone I could speak to in person, but that's really not a huge difference; I've correctly trusted people over the phone much more credibly than people I've met in person in the past.

The insurance companies are not to be trusted in any circumstance, and in fact, if they are running this sort of outreach, it's prone to shenanigans in the same way that right-wing voter registration drives and poll-watchers are.

However, if they are required to advise people of their right to shop at healthcare.gov, which should be much more operable by the time these efforts gain steam, it's probably a net positive for the ACA implementation. Maybe not the best option, but another avenue for obtaining coverage.

[CTyankee]

10. I was taken thru the process of signing up for Social Security by phone which I dreaded

because I expected a huge amount of red tape. It turned out to be a great experience. The agent helping me was wonderful, knowledgeable and very reassuring. She knew exactly what I needed to do and was very helpful. I felt like I was treated as a valuable individual, not just a faceless citizen. I was impressed with the professionalism of the federal government. It was a very comfortable process.

[mattclearing]

12. I've had similar experiences.

Public servants get a bad rap. It's really sad the way people make government out to be so horrible.

People get paid a fair wage for work that they do relatively well and never expect to make a profit. The horror!

[Cha]

9. Always thinking.. when something goes wrong.

they take responsibility and go forward.

thanks PS!

[Joel thakkar]

11. Nice step

hope it works well.