Healthcare.gov - Dec. 3- "New and more robust HealthCare.gov tools to help you enroll"

[TomCADem]

More updates and improvements to the federal ACA website that the MSM will ignore.

https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/new-and-more-robust-healthcare-gov-tools-to-help-you-enroll/

Welcome back to the Health Insurance Marketplace! We’ve made many improvements over the last eight weeks to help you complete your enrollment.

Here are some of the new features you’ll find on HealthCare.gov:

More robust window shopping. You can now see detailed information about each Marketplace health insurance plan offered in your area before you apply. This new tool will allow you to see plan prices displayed much more accurately, based on the household information you supply. You can compare plans, covered benefits, physician and hospital networks, and more. No login or application required. Just answer a few simple questions to see plans and prices in your area. You will still need to complete the application to find out how you can get lower costs, but this is a much enhanced version of earlier information and one more way you can get the information you need to help you get ready to enroll and find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

You can remove problem applications. If you’ve experienced problems filling out your online application, you can start over with a brand new application. To do this, you’ll first need to log in to your account; select your current application; and then choose to “Remove” the application. You will then need to close out your web page and then log back in using your same account. You can then start a brand new application.

Get help enrolling online, on the phone, or in person. You can get help where and when you need it. For example: You can start an application online and then call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1 855-889-4325) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get help enrolling over the phone. You can also find in–person help from certified assisters in your area. Just enter your zip code to get started.

You can apply offline and continue your enrollment online. If you submitted a paper application or applied over the phone, you can create a Marketplace account to pull up your eligibility determination and complete your enrollment. To do this, you’ll need your application identification number, and you can contact the call center to get it if you don’t know it.

Direct enrollment in a Marketplace plan. Many insurers are now offering the opportunity for you to enroll directly in a Marketplace plan with that company, whether through the insurance company’s website, an agent or broker, or an online health insurance seller.

These new functionality improvements are in addition to the hardware and software improvements we’ve made over the past eight weeks to improve the consumer experience, increase capacity, and ensure that you can successfully move through the entire enrollment process.

We’ll continue to make improvements to HealthCare.gov in the weeks and months ahead, and we encourage you to come back and explore your new coverage options. You have until December 23 to enroll in health coverage that can start as soon as January 1, 2014, and the Marketplace Open Enrollment period runs until March 31, 2014. Here are some shopping tips to get you started.

[Cha]

1. Thank you, Tom!

[llmart]

2. Just as an FYI.....

I did just that.....removed my old application which could never seem to get beyond the ID verification process even though I called twice, tried about 8 times, etc. and started from scratch with a new application (same info of course). I was able to upload my ID and got a message that it was successful and a message saying I would get an email within a week. I got an email within 3 days! I was excited that maybe, just maybe it worked this time.

The email said "You have a notice for the Martketplace. Just log in to read your notice." So I tried to log in, and it would no longer take my old user name and password. So I was forced to change my password. The old user name still worked. Then once I got in I was anxious to see my "notice". There was a statement at the top of the page that said, "you have a notice available" but lo and behold there was no way to click on the box. Nothing.

So back to square one. I called the 800 number (I didn't want to and just want to give up at this point) and they said someone would call me back soon. I've been through this already. The last time they called me back I wasn't home even though I told them not to call until after 6 PM. Then I called them back and the upshot of my lengthy conversation with the rep was "send in a paper application".

They still haven't fixed it as far as I'm concerned and I really, really want this to work, but if I'm getting frustrated with it, how will someone react who isn't really on board with the ACA to start with?