Unable to get enrolled with Covered California: update -got my bill finally

[flamingdem]

Last edited Sat Jan 11, 2014, 04:59 PM - Edit history (1)

That did restore my faith somewhat. At least it did go through and I can enroll. Yay?!

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I enrolled around December 6th with a Blue Cross / Anthem agent located in Colorado but working for Covered Ca. He just tells me the lack of information is all Covered California's fault. I have not even received my application number. I have left my agent messages and emailed him countless times.

Has anyone else had this kind of experience? I am not sure how much the agent might be part of the problem. He believes it is a disaster and I am getting a subsidy not going for a pricey plan. I cannot get through at all to Covered CA OR Anthem!

[KamaAina]

1. Are you a small business owner?

I don't know who else would be going through an agent. You might try Covered CA's ombuds service, assuming they have one (more later).

[flamingdem]

2. Everyone can go through an agent or so I thought

The idea was to cut through red tape.

However I wonder if they have mucked up the works for those who get subsidies since their commission is low.

I would go in person but I do not want to start over and am not even sure I can start over.

Anthem will not speak to you unless you have an ID or at least an application number. The agent says that everyone else is in the same boat but I see people on here have gotten further.

[Jacoby365]

5. The way I understand it

is that Covered California acts as an agent for the insurance companies that have decided to participate in the exchange.

Yes, I have had problems. I signed up for Kaiser through Covered California. Kaiser sent me an invoice for the wrong plan. I double checked my account on coveredca.com, which still showed the plan I selected. I called Kaiser and told them they invoiced me for the wrong plan (one that required a higher co-pay), and asked if they could change it for me. They said no, and explained that Covered California was acting as an agent, and I would have to go through them to get it changed, and then Covered California would have to send the new information to Kaiser, and then Kaiser could send me a new invoice.

I spent a lot of time on the phone with both Kaiser and Covered California. Finally Kaiser called Covered CA to discuss it while I was on hold. That was back in December. Seems as if there were software glitches that prevented the plan from going through correctly. I'm still waiting for an invoice for the correct plan. I received an automated call from Kaiser last week that said they were sending me an invoice. I still have not received it.

I believe the whole Covered California system is having some serious issues, but it seems as if no one is talking about - at least not that I have heard. Sorry you can't get through to Covered California, but that is what I would try to do if I were you. I have several phone numbers for the exchange, as I was given different numbers to call at different times.

[flamingdem]

9. If you still have the phone numbers could you post them?

Or message me? I'd love to try them since the main number is useless at this point, they do not even allow us to hold and they direct everyone to the website.

[Jacoby365]

10. Here are a few numbers

1-800-464-4000 memory tells me this isn't the best option

1-800-759-0584 (I was told to call this number until I was officially enrolled)

1-800-300-1506

If I recall correctly, the following two numbers allowed me to talk to a human rather quickly

1-800-752-6631
1-800-675-2607

[flamingdem]

14. Thanks! I finally got a bill from Anthem

so luckily didn't need them. Whew! Nice to have for future reference though.

[KamaAina]

6. True, but there appear to be only 31 agents statewide

fewer since this one's in CO.

Most of us 99 percenters were supposed to be using enrollment counselors, mostly nonprofits.

https://v.calheers.ca.gov/hix/entity/locateassister/searchentities?_ga=1.173478691.1858255422.1389327133

[flamingdem]

8. I will go in person and call local agents as a next step

However it seems like I will miss the deadline and only be able to get set up for February 0:

[Tumbulu]

3. I went through Coveted California

and waited hours each time to get through, despite doing most everything online. I do have a number but after waiting for 50 minutes for Kaiser to answer gave up. Still have not received a bill, however I got a robo call stating that premiums must now be in by Jan 15 th instead of by the 7 as originally told, and that they hoped to get all the bills sent out by Jan 10 th or something like that. So, I think they are totally overloaded, and I would try calling Covered Ca, I have a small business but gave up trying to get through regardingy business issues.

I wish CA would just start single payer, IT WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER!

[Tumbulu]

13. Well I just now got the bill

and so I can pay it online and then that's it!
Yeah!
But ridiculously complicated.

[Starry Messenger]

4. I used CoveredCa's website directly.

It was easier than filling out apps for student loans, I got approved, have sent in money and got my Kaiser card right before New Year's. Edit: I applied in mid-October, didn't want to give the impression I just did this recently.

Is there some reason you had to go through an agent? Is he certified as an official CoveredCA Navigator?

[flamingdem]

7. He acted like he was in a role that let him work

with the exchanges. However he seems to have zero ability to get things done.

In a way it was dumped on them because Covered California was overwhelmed. I wish a reporter would get into the nuts and bolts to see where the problems lie.. then again we may be lucky as supporters that they do not do this because it just fuels the Republican lies against ACA.

[Jacoby365]

11. Yes, lots of people are having similar experiences, including me

The following thread has info and a link to an LA Times article.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014693924

[Le Taz Hot]

12. Funny you should mention that.

I'm on perpetual hold with Blue Shield as we speak.

I tried signing up with the CoveredCA website. The first time they said they had to make sure I was a US citizen. I logged off, logged back on, and this time there was no problem with my citizenship but they said my husband's MediCal application was pending. My husband does not qualify for nor ever applied for MediCal. I finally called the Covered California number and waited an hour-and-a-half to get through. Finally finished the application with the representative with coverage starting February 1.

Now I get an e-mail from Blue Shield telling me that, in order for my coverage to start January 1, I have to have the binder in by no later than January 15. 1) My coverage wasn't supposed to start until February 1, 2) I won't have the binder by January 15, and 3) I wasn't supposed to have to pay until January 27 at which time I will have the money for the binder.

My hold time is now 24 minutes and counting . . . (sigh)

Update: Waited over 30 minutes for them to tell me that it's Covered California's fault and I have to call them. Btw, Blue Shield Customer Service - - IN INDIA! Fuck them!

[flamingdem]

15. I finally got a bill from Anthem in the mail

Should have known they'd find a way to get their moolah even if they won't answer any questions or answer the phone!

Still, I'd rather go with Anthem than Blue Shield because in Los Angeles they don't get you very far with UCLA and the doctors available for their plan is very limited here.

[PasadenaTrudy]

16. Did you get

an HMO or EPO plan? I went with a Blue Shield PPO Platinum plan myself.

[flamingdem]

17. I went with Anthem's Silver Extended plan

an EPO because it gives access to some doctors at UCLA. However these doctors still reserve the right to say no to EPO members, I have yet to see how that plays out!

[PasadenaTrudy]

18. Good luck!

My Dr. is out-of-plan, but I hope this will cover some of it, as my last plan did not. I only see her about twice a year, and I don't want to have to switch Dr.s!

[Le Taz Hot]

19. Update to my post: I'm going to cancel the insurance.

I originally decided on the Gold Plan with Blue Shield for $606.00 a month -- an amount that was going to take everything I make on my little part-time job plus some. I decided it was too expensive and it left us nothing for emergencies. Additionally, they sent me this confusing e-mail saying I had to get them their premium NOW in order for my insurance to start January 1. The insurance I signed up for was to start Feb. 1 and the premium wasn't due until 1/27. When I tried to call them I was on hold forever, then talked to someone in India. Finally, I keep reading on the internet that the list of Blue Shield doctors is very small and you're not left with much of a choice. For all those reasons and a couple more, I decided to cancel.

I'm going to start fresh with, probably the Bronze plan. The MOST I can let go of would be about $350.00 a month so I'll just have to see what that can buy.

[pinto]

20. Did you look into premium subsidy eligibility?

The basics -

http://www.cahba.com/covered-california/premium-subsidy.htm

FAQ's -

https://www.coveredca.com/FAQs/

[Le Taz Hot]

21. You didn't seriously ask me that question.

I did hours worth of research before even calling Covered California. Yes, all of this is WITH the subsidy. We're over 50, we pay the highest premiums.

[pinto]

22. Sorry.

Hope you find something that works for you.