Healthcare marketplace off to a glitchy start

Source: Journal Star, Peoria, Ill.文件倉Oct. 01--PEORIA _ As expected, glitches marked today's launch of the health insurance marketplace, a cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, at least for Heartland Community Health Clinic.Heartland's outreach coordinator Brittney Wallace, based in the Peoria Public Library's computer lab for the roll-out, greeted prospective candidates for the new health insurance program with an example of the delays that have plagued the start-up of the online marketplaces."We've had some holdup with certifications," she told the first person to come in for advice on navigating the marketplace. "So we'll just be giving information today."Wallace and Heartland's two other certified applications counselors, or CACs, have been trained to help people understand their options and navigate the on-line enrollment process. But, as of Tuesday, they had not received the piece of paper from the state that officially certifies them to walk people through the online process.Early prospective applicants also encountered error messages after they accessed the marketplace through .GetCoveredIllinois.gov, the state-operated website that directs people to health insurance information or applications to enroll in the newly expanded Medicaid program.The Associated Press reported the online marketplace struggled nationwide to handle the volume of new consumers today, the first day of the six-month open enrollment period.Federal officials said they were working to address the website problems as quickly as possible.Bryant Ragler, 56, of Peoria, opted to explore his options in the marketplace next week after getting repeated error messages as he tried to set up an account. But Juanita Williams, a 29-year-old Peorian who has never had insurance as an adult, completed Illinois' new online application 存倉ystem for Medicaid in about 45 minutes."This is huge," said Williams, who has epilepsy and is unemployed.Some 40,000 uninsured Tri-County area residents become eligible for the expanded Medicaid program or health care coverage through the marketplace. In the Tri-County area, four insurers, are offering more than 70 plans.Pam Adams can be reached at 686-3245 or padams@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @padamspam.______Facts about Illinois' new health marketplaceTuesday was the first day of open enrollment for new insurance options under President Barack Obama's massive new health care initiative. Here are essential facts:_Consumers have until Dec. 15 to sign up if they want coverage to start Jan. 1. After that, you can enroll through the end of March to avoid penalties for 2014._The law requires almost everyone to have health insurance. Fines start as low as $95 the first year but go up after that._Go to GetCoveredIllinois.gov to shop for different health insurance plans and rates on a new marketplace, and to explore the possibility of financial help._The telephone number for a call center that will field questions is 1-866-311-1119. The service will be available seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The federal government also has a call center taking questions at 1-800-318-2596._County health departments, community health centers and libraries can answer questions and help you get started. Many community organizations have trained outreach counselors who can walk you through the enrollment process. Insurance agents and brokers also can help._To find help in your neighborhood, enter your ZIP code under "Get help in your area" at this link: getcoveredillinois.gov/Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.) Visit the Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.) at .PJStar.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存