Washington's Healthplanfinder hailed as 'what Obamacare looks like when it works'

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Washington state's Healthplanfinder got a rave review this week from Sarah Kliff, who writes about health care policy for The Washington Post. She described the health exchange site as “what Obamacare looks like when it works.”

Kliff, in a blog post, acknowledged the significant problems the site had when it first launched; it was pulled down for tech repairs an hour after launching. But overall, she rates the state’s online marketplace as much easier to use than the federal portal.

Her reasoning is that it’s incredibly easy to use, particularly because it doesn’t require people to create a profile and input extensive personal information just to browse the prices.

All you need is your ZIP code, county, birth date, gender and estimated income, and you’re provided with a variety of plans and prices to compare.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2013/10/washington-healthplanfinder-called-out.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2013-10-11

[Turbineguy]

1. It does work pretty well.

Looked at it today.

[Champion Jack]

2. I'm moving…

[Alkene]

3. I can't get my sign-up to complete.

I can browse the plans, but it goes to an error page when I attempt to complete my account registration.
I called up the service hotline, and the intro message says that this is still being worked on. Anybody out there get it to work, get fully signed up?

[uppityperson]

5. I did and got a thing in the mail confirming it.

[Andy823]

6. I had a few problems

The first one was all my fault. After I set the account up I went back to the home page and had to sign in again. I forgot to use one add the symbol I had picked at the end of my password. When I had figured that out it was to late and they had locked my account. Had to try for a whole day to talk with someone, tried 5 times before I finally got connected. They took my information, said it would take 5-10 days to get fixed, only took 4 so that was good.

When I got on line I started filling information, after I put in the information for my family I clicked save and got an error message. Tried to call but the recording said once again that they had higher than normal calls so didn't get through. Went back a couple hours later and was able to finish it. Then went to compare the plans and when I clicked to go to the next page, I got the same error message that said to contact tech support. Waited a couple more hours, tried again, and it worked. I am now comparing the plans so I can purchase one.

All an all it's not that bad. I do think it will get better as time goes on.

[Aristus]

4. I've already had a number of my patients sign up successfully.

We have an ACA liaison at the clinic, and he answers patients questions about the law, then walks them through the sign-up process online.

One patient came back after he signed up, and told me his premium was $0!

[Andy823]

9. I finished enrollment Friday

I did have some questions early on, tried to get some help calling one of the clinics that had liaison, tried a different clinic in Friday, the liaison got back to me on the phone, answered all my questions, and I am now enrolled! It was not really that hard to do all the work online, it was just getting to talk with someone. My son and daughter will be able to get Apple care, which is the new name for medicare from what I have heard, so they will end up with free health care!

My advice for anyone having problems is to not give up, get in contact with a local liaison, or navigator. The lady I talked with was a great help, and was very knowledgable.

[Aristus]

10. Great! I'm happy for you.

[Alkene]

7. Paper/US mail applications

For those having unresolved error messages when attempting to complete application on Washington Healthplanfinder website, paper application forms are available:

http://www.hca.wa.gov/medicaid/forms/Documents/18-001P.pdf

[eridani]

8. Affordable Care Act Symposium; Seattle 10/29

Greetings Health Equity Circle!

You are invited to attend the Health Sciences Affordable Care Act Symposium. Come and learn about the Affordable Care Act and how it affects YOU. There will be a few short speakers and a Q&A session followed by tabling with local enrollment and outreach organizations including our very own Health Equity Circle. HEC Enrollment Assistance campaign lead Alex Ajeto will even be speaking at the event. Light refreshments will be included : )

Cheers,
HEC - Enrollment Assistance Team

=========================================================

Affordable Care Act Symposium
Learn How You Can Make a Difference

When: Tuesday October 29, 5-6:30 PM
Where: Hogness Auditorium

Hosted By: UW Health Sciences Schools

Goals:
1. Learn how the ACA will impact you and your career?
2. Make a difference by telling 10 friends, family members, or patients
3. Connect with local volunteer organizations

Format: 1 hour panel discussion and Q&A in Hogness Auditorium, followed
by lobby reception with light refreshments and tabling with enrollment
and outreach groups.

Speakers:
The Affordable Care Act, an historical turning point
Dr. Howard Frumkin, M.D., Dr.P.H., Dean, School of Public Health

Basics of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Sallie Sanford, J.D, Assistant Professor of Law; Adjunct Assistant
Professor of Health Services

ACA and Population Health
Patrick O?Carroll, MD, MPH, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public
Health Service and Regional Health Administrator USPHS Region X

Washington?s Health Insurance Marketplace,
https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/
Doug Conrad, PhD, Professor of Health Services; Wash. Health Benefits
Exchange Board member

ACA Enrollment Efforts in King County
Patty Hayes, Division Director, Community Health Services, Public
Health ? Seattle & King County

Young Adult Coverage and Volunteer Opportunities
Alex Ajeto, 2nd yr Student - UW School of Medicine