Trouble in the Insurance Marketplace

[ramapo]

I have been trying since Tuesday to complete an application through the Exchange so I can take a look at what options are available.
I live in New Jersey so I have to deal with people in, is it 38, other states trying to do what I am doing. I fully appreciate the massive technology and application challenges that this presents and have been patient, but I have to admit some frustration at this point.

I tried Tuesday and Wednesday to get started but the systems were too overloaded. Finally yesterday I was able to create an account.

I really only want to see what is available and compare it to the current situation. New Jersey is, I hope, not typical because we only have three companies participating. The individual market has been quite 'interesting' here for a number of years. Companies have not been able to deny writing insurance for people with pre-existing conditions for a long time, although waiting periods are permitted if there has been a gap. But rates are sky high.

Anyway...I was surprised that you have to complete an application before you can even see what is available.

For some reason, I have failed the identity check time after time, and finally got a message that I needed to submit documentation. Top of the list was a drivers license. So I scan it in and try to upload the file but that doesn't work. The message reminds me the file must be less than 10MB, mine is 82KB. After a bunch of tries, I go over another limit and now must call an 800 number to verify I am who I am.

So I call and learn it is Experian that is in charge of this function. The message basically says, too many people so call another time. I guess many others have experienced the same glitch.

I go look at my profile and my phone number and address are missing. I try to add them but you have to answer the three questions to validate you are you. I answer them but my answers are rejected.

I guess I am on hold until I can validate my identity.

I've seen a few posts from DUers who have successfully signed up for a policy this week. I want to figure out the system so I can walk some relatives through it who would not be able to deal with the system as it is working today.

I look at this problem as one of success, lots of people wanting to signup. Just wondering how many out there are experiencing similar issues.

[questionseverything]

1. go to the live chat link

you can get info on everything without any info

they gave me requested answers and then links so i could print both and compare at leisure

good luck

[jberryhill]

2. That's the loop I'm in now

I called Experian and now the account indicates that I have a "new notification" about my identity verification, but does not indicate I am verified or provide further information on what to do.

I just figure I'll let it chill for another couple of days.

[DireStrike]

3. be patient-er.

It's been 4 days. You have 90 more before you could get any coverage anyway. This is a point that needs to be made in the media.

"Anyway...I was surprised that you have to complete an application before you can even see what is available."

Yeah, this is kind of annoying. I can see though, why they would only want to show people plans which they qualify for.

[penultimate]

4. It's a shame that this is happening... I haven't had much luck either with getting in.

I'll register, confirm my the account via the email link, but then it says my account doesn't exist. I've waited and waited thinking that shit was queued up to be written out or something along those lines, but it's been over a day. I even tried creating another account but had the same issue. I think some people dropped the ball on the tech side of things. The most popular sites handle hundreds of millions of people accessing them everyday. There is enough talent and experience floating around out there that they should have been able to build a system that could scale out on demand without shit being totally broken.

[kelliekat44]

5. People like Michelle Bachman get air time to complain that the ACA is a disaster but is it really?

It hasn't even been in effect yet...just the sign-up process. I fear that people will confuse problems and glitches in the sign-up process (which can be caused by too many trying to sign up or outside mischief) with the actual insurance coverage itself.

[Whisp]

7. I smell Earl Grey

or maybe it's Lady Grey

[Barack_America]

9. Because insurers use a ridiculous amount of information to calculate rates.

Gender, age, race, zip code, for god's sake. Some of this has likely been outlawed by the ACA, but that could be why they want to know so much about you.

[Hekate]

12. #1 the launch for the new Apple product was not flawless due to high demand #2 as you note, even CAR

...insurers want to know what kind of car you have and how old it is -- yet you are "irked" at that

#3 how is this different from human-type insurance in needing to know lots of information?

#4 one of the things that has been "outlawed" is discrimination against WOMEN, who up to now have always had to pay MORE than men

#5 one of the other things that has been "outlawed" is denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions

>ahem< Welcome to DU and enjoy your brief stay.

[Hekate]

17. In that case I retract "enjoy your stay" to say: "Welcome back!"

Sorry, my friend, but methinks thou art a shill. Telling me to "enjoy my stay" for questioning this is swell but as the information comes in, we will see what a morass this all is. And then you will have your shilling work cut out for you.

And you would know this about me, how? After 17 whole posts?

Woo-hoo! People, we have a mind-reader of extraordinary powers among us -- I bow before its perspicacity!

[Hekate]

18. Well, that was quick

[Pretzel_Warrior]

20. hilarious. Some trolls engage in premature revelation

probably the younger with higher libido. lolol.

[Barack_America]

13. Medical underwriting is restricted by the ACA.nt

[kestrel91316]

15. In order to compare plans, all I had to do was enter my income, my zip code, how many in the

household, and ages. You've always had to provide that much info to get a medical insurance quote, in case you hadn't noticed. I did register an "account" but I don't think I had to do that first to see the plans.

Of course, I am in CA so we are talking about the Covered CA site. If you are in a state whose website sucks because the state is red and opposes helping people, don't blame ACA or Obama. Our website still has glitches, but they have a big weekend of glitch-fixing planned.

[B Calm]

8. People are saying to do it like 2 or 3 in the morning.

[ramapo]

10. I will try live chat

I don't find real fault with the situation. It is impossible to stress test such a complex application. Facebook, Amazon et al handle millions of users at once but they had the luxury of an at least somewhat gradual growth path. This situation is open the doors and all hell breaks loose.

[Zorra]

19. I'm going to wait a few weeks and then try again. If nothing changes by then, I'll

try different avenues to find answers and solutions.