No, a credit check is NOT required for the exchanges

[Nuclear Unicorn]

Lead health care navigator in Florida provides wrong information on credit scores

ORLANDO, Fla. - A day after telling Local 6 that anyone signing up for the Affordable Care Act had to provide their credit score, the lead navigator in Florida said she was wrong

Anne Packham, one of many people licensed by the state to help people navigate the government's website, said on Tuesday that the credit check was put in place so providers can make an educated decision about who to insure.

After receiving numerous emails about the story, Local 6 contacted Packham on Wednesday, and she said her statement was incorrect, adding that users do not need their credit scores to apply for the Affordable Care Act.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Lead-health-care-navigator-in-Florida-provides-wrong-information-on-credit-scores/-/1637132/22341034/-/md8ohn/-/index.html

If this helps.

[Myrina]

1. That sounds like a blatant attempt to deter people who need it most, from applying.

n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Pretty much...seeing as navigators are not allowed at the Fl St. Health Dept.

http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/navigators-not-welcome-health-dept?nopop=1

The order from C. Meade Grigg, deputy DOH secretary for statewide services, went out late Monday to the 60 local health department directors around the state. He wrote that the staff may accept informational materials from the Navigators to hand out upon request.

“However, Navigators will not conduct activities on the grounds of the health departments,” Grigg wrote. He said the policy was developed after some had asked DOH for permission to operate within state facilities, presumably because uninsured people often seek treatment there.

Dr. Marc Yacht, retired Pasco County Health Director, said the policy will “significantly compromise a multitude of needy Floridians from getting critical health care.” He called it “cruel and irresponsible.”

[grantcart]

9. no its a simple misunderstanding of how credit agencies will be used to confirm

identity and income when needed.

[thecrow]

2. I was at healthcare.gov yesterday

and they gave me a number to call to be "verified" by Equifax. It was part of the enrollment process...
was I duped? I am in VA
BTW I cut off applying at that stage. They also mentioned my income (which is none) would be "monitored" for five years.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. It's my understanding it's for ID not credit worthiness.

[NoOneMan]

6. Why does ID even matter?

Just curious. If you buy a plan, pay the premiums, pay the deductible, should you not be covered? Why would you buy this for a fake ID? What benefit would there be?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. I dunno. I haven't seen the site but I imagine it involves personal info

and an abundance of caution.

[NoOneMan]

8. Actually prolly for subisides

crazy ass system

[grantcart]

10. It is required for the subsidy.

If they are going to give you a bunch of money (we got $ 3600) then they want to make sure they have the right person with the right income data.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

15. That would make sense

[BluegrassStateBlues]

13. Same thing happened to me.

Created a new account and it worked.

Try creating a new account late at night when there's not a lot of traffic.

Don't bother with the 1-800 number if you don't want.

[NoOneMan]

4. Two graphical banner ads on this page for Equifax

lolz

[Gormy Cuss]

11. Good for them for publishing the correction

although they should also update the chat text to reflect that she lied *oops, I mean erred* in her response.

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. It helps, but only if you were actually looking to debunk the lies & rumors. Let's be honest, some

folks are here to propagate the chatter, not debunk it. Thanks for posting this.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

14. I'm not going to lie, I'm no fan of government enforced corporatism; but facts are facts.

Just because I'm not a fan doesn't mean I should tolerate false/misleading info to spread if I can take a simple moment to correct a misconception.