An EVG reader and East Village resident asked us the following yesterday...
I am wondering if there are other East Village residents struggling to sign up for health care insurance through the new federal program. If so, then I would love to hear how they are faring and get any advice or tips they might offer on how to get through the application process and which insurance is best.
I have gone onto the New York Health Exchange site several times in the last couple of weeks, failing to get through the entire application process every time because of apparent glitches in the system. Today, I got through it with some help from a phone rep, but even she couldn't figure out why I couldn't input certain key information, and she actually gave me wrong information about whether I should put in my total income for 2013 or my adjusted gross income.
I asked her if it was possible to go somewhere in my area and have someone help me in person with the application. She asked for my zip code and said there wasn't anyone here who could help me in person. It is pretty frustrating.
Is there anyone who has successfully navigated the new system who can offer any tips...?
13 comments:
I can't speak from experience but I heard the head of the NYC Community Service Society on the radio and they seem to be "navigators" -- http://www.cssny.org/pages/health-care-resources
Good luck!
I'm stuck too - and I'm a computer software architect who designs systems like this.
The UI is horrible and it's almost impossible to think that someone whose first language is not english will be able to deal with it.
In my case (as a legal alien with a green card) the system is demanding a number that does not appear on my green card - it's the receipt number that was issued almost 30 years ago and has never been required by the INS since.
It's similar to the NY DMV requiring an original SS card - even though the feds say there is no need to ever have the card if you know the number.
As far as I can see this is caused by one of two possibilities:
- incompetent or lazy people in NY state requiring immigration info without understanding the process (which is precisely why states shouldn't be managing complex immigration requirements).
- deliberate action to prevent legal aliens even getting information about health plans.
I'm leaning towards the first, but I'm not ruling out the second.
Does anyone already have Empire Blue Cross Blue shield insurance? I am leaning toward one of their plans, but I don't have any experience with them.
I have Empire Blue Cross, the POS plan and the XPO for dental, and it's awesome.
I managed to get all the way through the process a few days ago. I found that I just needed to go backwards in the application process and fill in some missing info, and then when it is satisfied the application is complete it will show you your eligibility. It also tells you to expect to receive more info in the mail. I hope they give people the option of just filling in an application form and returning it because the system is too complex for many users.
I have blue cross via freelancers union and it's been fine.
I saw last night that the Health insurance web site was designed to take 60k visits at a time, problem is that 250 million were trying to use it.
Communicating healthcare reform: Helping navigate the waters. More at: http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=7223
"web site was designed to take 60k visits at a time"
What did they think was going to happen? Gee, you don't think they did this on purpose to weed out a certain amount of people and guarantee a certain amount of new taxes/fines whatever they call it this week. Next up, forced cell phone accounts!
The following link isn't specific to New York State, yet some of the same issues apply:
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/16/here’s_why_healthcare_gov_broke_down_newscred/
Short version: some really bad IT choices have been made at every level, but they are fixable ones.
I too am well educated and experienced public benefit advocate and can't navigate the system so don;t give up or feel bad.
First, call COmunity Service Society of NY they were very helpful over the phone (unlike health exchange who were useless) and can offer you an in person appointment and do cover all Manhattan zip codes
My 2 cents is United Helathcare 9Oxford)in the past has been great for me.
Good luck
I have an undergraduate degree, as well as two graduate degrees (one being from law school, but I do not practice.) I am a filmmaker, and my income is nt predictable. I thought I filled inthe form correctly, but it came back that it could not recommend any insurance plan for me at all and that I would receive an explanation in the mail. I call the directly and the rep w/ whom I spoke had no further information than to wait to see what they send. i asked about seeing an adviser to assist me, and she said "wait for the mail" and that her computer didn't have access as to why I received that message. She should be working for the post office, not assisting people with obtaining health insurance. I lose my current insurance at the end of the year and I know that if I do not choose a plan in time, the inefficiency of the system is not going to be an excuse, nor will it pay for doctors' visits and medications. I support universal healthcare, but the system is not just facing growing pains, but needs to be completely revamped. Why is there no further assistance at this point. I am frustrated, disgusted, and unable to locate anyone to offer assistance.
I found out today that the site does not work well with mac ... I was on the phone with a representative who told me it works with PC but not completely with mac. I did the whole process on the phone since Im on mac.
There are naviagators who can help at The Hispanic Federation 17 Ave B. 212-253-5448
I think its best to do it in person, or on the phone .. the website is difficult, especially if you are on mac ..
To Anonymous who posted October 17, 2013 at 9:25 AM, and anyone else with same issue re: green card receipt number, I had the same problem and started a help chat and found the solution.
The receipt number is on the green card itself. Below your photo there are three lines of info. The first line has a letter, a number, USA and then a series of other numbers followed by three letters. The receipt number begins with theses three letters. In all, the receipt number consists of those three letters and the remaining numbers on the first line.
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