Covered California Nightmare Stories (Sign-up Volume High for California)

NBC Bay Area ^ | Monday, Dec 23, 2013 | Associated Press

[tom h]

A spokesman for California's health insurance exchange says enrollment action is heavy during the deadline day to sign up for coverage that will start Jan. 1.

Covered California set Monday as the sign-up deadline and had no current plans to extend that by another day. The Obama administration announced it was extending the sign-up deadline through Tuesday for the 36 states using the federal health insurance exchange.

California runs its own exchange under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Agency spokesman Larry Hicks says the enrollment website has been running smoothly with no technical problems and that Covered California was expecting a heavy volume of users throughout the day.

Those who enroll by the end of Monday will have until Jan. 6 to pay for policies starting in the new year

[tom h]

OK everyone, while the media says that Covered California has been running smoothly you know that's a lie. Tell us here your horror stories.

[tom h]

I’ve been trying to work through things since 11 AM and it’s now 2:55 PM. The Covered California system crashed on me at least 25 times and when I finished the application there was no way for me to enroll for insurance. I’m in total limbo and have now been on hold at Healthnet for another 52 minutes.

[headstamp 2]

This also assumes the information will reach the central ObamaCare hub with no problems. It still has to go through the main government system.

But don’t worry. Captain Midnight is enjoying himself in Hawaii

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

This guy reviews everything under the sun and has a large archive. http://www.gunblast.com/

[VerySadAmerican]

How many people who are signing up know this:

“Those who enroll by the end of Monday will have until Jan. 6 to pay for policies starting in the new year.”

First of all, I’ll bet most are Medicaid. Second, when they find out they have to pay for this, after they’ve spent their last dime on Christmas, the number of enrollees who won’t pay will be substantial. I doubt 25% will actually pay a premium. The question is will the insurance companies report it?

[Nachum]

I am an agent and have had a very ‘interesting’ time enrolling my clients in Covered California.

Oh Joy.

[tom h]

Tell us more (anonymously) or tell me where to post the horror stories. The official pronouncement today was that everything was going “smoothly.” D-mn, I hate lying government. Reminds me of the Soviet Union.

[Nachum]

Tell us more.

My clients apply. Eventually we wade through. Last time, we tried to enroll, the site asked for a 'pin'. Then the site would not take it. Then, after taking almost an hour to complete the application, the site lost all our information.

I have called Covered California every day for the last 4 business days. I am typically on hold for almost two hours. Eventually we solve the problem.... after hours of trying.

When enrolling the site give the completed applicant an application number and an ID number. Neither are sent to the client. You must print out the page to remember either to refer to the application.

Two weeks ago a client of mine applied directly with Blue Shield of California for an Obamacare qualified policy. The client was told they completed the application, but the policy has not yet been worked on yet. The client received a letter saying they are covered. No policy. Still waiting for the policy. Called Blue Shield, they said they have not yet processed the application after two weeks. They do not know the status of the application.

Tired yet?

[Sequoyah101]

Don’t worry, be happy! You can work on it until Santa comes at midnight on Christmas Eve. Bammy, the magnificent, gave you a one day extension.

So let it be written. So let it be done. Shaboom.

[relentlessly]

So, my wife has gone through the process - ending up with a “number” from Covered CA, but no package from Blue Shield.

It’s now 12/31/13 and her cancelled coverage ends in a few hours. I suppose some fine day in January someone will contact her and all will be well, but what happens if there is an “event” prior to that contact and coverage?

Thanks, Obama.