17 thoughts on “The ObamaCare Web Interface”

1. I suspect it’s literally false that they can’t run some queries and see how many people enrolled; that would take a special form of incompetence beyond the ability of even Government.

   However, I do find it marginally believable that they’ve made it so awkward to do so, and so process-hampered, that they might not really know right now.

   I’d give it about 75-25 in favor of “lying* because the truth is so embarrassing”, though.

   (* Or deliberately stonewalling on finding out, which amounts to the same thing in every important aspect.)

2. It is a mess. I’ve gotten as far as submitting an application to the federal exchange, but I’ve yet to get to the point where I can see plan options and premiums. I’m glad they have a couple months to fix the problems (before the deadline for January 1 coverage), and hope that’s enough time.

   1. I’ve heard they suspended the requirement to provide proof of income, but I’m guessing they’re still asking for it. Did you provide that? Did the system respond by recommending you apply for Medicaid?

      1. I said I wasn’t looking for subsidies, and I haven’t been asked about income.

         1. I was asked about income right away.

            1. I’m sure he was too; note how he answered the question.

   2. I’ve gotten as far as submitting an application to the federal exchange

      Is that point before or after you accept the Privacy Policy?

      1. I don’t recall being asked about a privacy policy.

      2. I went back and saw that I did agree to this privacy policy:

         We’ll keep your information private as required by law. Your answers on this form will only be used to determine eligibility for health coverage or help paying for coverage. We’ll check your answers using the information in our electronic databases and the databases of other federal agencies. If the information doesn’t match, we may ask you to send us proof.

         We won’t ask any questions about your medical history. Household members who don’t want coverage won’t be asked questions about citizenship or immigration status.

         Important: As part of the application process, we may need to retrieve your information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and/or a consumer reporting agency. We need this information to check your eligibility for coverage and help paying for coverage if you want it and to give you the best service possible. We may also check your information at a later time to make sure your information is up to date. We’ll notify you if we find something has changed.

         1. We’ll keep your information private as required by law.

            Just like the IRS does.

            So they’re a little ahead of Maryland in their phraseology (for now). Of course you don’t have anything to worry about; you’ve got your mothership card.

            We need this information to check your eligibility for coverage and help paying for coverage if you want it

            But you weren’t asked about your income. Right.

   3. Didn’t NH set up their own exchange? I was redirected to the WA site but it wouldn’t load as a redirect. Simple enough to type in the WA exchange addy but unbelieveable that they couldn’t get a simple hyperlink to work.

      1. No, we had a Republican legislature from 2010 to 2012, and they barred NH from setting up its own exchange. So we’re on the federal exchange.

3. This isn’t just a train wreck. It’s a high-speed rail train wreck.

4. they’re either lying, or their technical incompetence knows no bounds.

   Can’t it be both?

   With this crew, never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by incompetence and dishonesty.

5. It would be nice if you could browse policies without telling them your life story. I lost my insurance due to Obamacare but will avoid the marketplace because I don’t trust the people running the system not to abuse my health records and demographic information.

   1. On the federal exchange I was able (just now) to browse policies without giving them anything beyond my date of birth, address, Social Security #, and whether I use tobacco. There was an optional question about race/ethnicity, and no health questions.

      The premiums are fantastic. I currently pay Anthem $679/mo for a plan with a $5k deductible and $10k out-of-pocket limit. No doubt the 2014 premiums will be even higher. By contrast, my 2014 Healthcare.gov options (which are all from Anthem) range from $290/mo ($5,750 deductible, $6,350 out-of-pocket max) to $477/mo ($1k deductible, $3.5k out of pocket max). I’m going to save thousands.

6. I suspect the administration isn’t interested in revealing how few people have signed up. And why would anyone want to sign up and pay the first month’s premium now, for coverage that starts in January? I’m shopping now, but I’m going to wait to actually sign up until December.

Comments are closed.