While everyone's been ranting and raving all week long about Obamacare (and of course the government shutdown on social media), I've been patiently trying to get into the marketplace system to see how much this shit is going to cost in 2014. For those of you who haven't been along the Deb Cb ride for long, let me give you a Cliff's notes version of where I stand on this issue (and if you don't agree, that's perfectly fine with me. Everyone deserves to have an opinion. Especially when it comes to politics, money and healthcare. I just don't want to read yours on my Facebook wall).
Anyhoo, long story short, the entire CB clan is totally uninsurable. So, essentially, I stayed in an industry I hated for years so we could have healthcare (notice, I didn't say AFFORDABLE healthcare. We've paid almost $1,000 a month for group coverage for years. And we were on COBRA last year and couldn't get anything paid. ). Finally, this year, with Obamacare looming, I decided I was done and started my own company. Now, I am happy but will have to work like a dog to afford insurance. And, we are panicked about what our coverage will actually cover. But, I must remind myself: I am HAPPY.
So, there it is in a nutshell. We've been waiting with bated breath to see what we'll pay for Obamacare. And, I was excited for October 1st to roll around so I could log-in to the system and see the damage. I had read on social media that the system was slow, so I was patient when I logged on to create an account and saw this:
Unfortunately, my optimism didn't last long as a few moments later, that screen was replaced by the dreaded crash screen.
Me? I wasn't surprised. But apparently millions of Americans (and President Obama) were. I would love a penny for every person that actually tried to get through on the 800 number that first day. Or even now.
Finally, after lots of patient waiting (okay, not really. I was working and just left the screen open). I was able to create an account. And, in a sick, sadistic way, I was looking forward to logging in to find out how much we'll be raped screwed paying next year. So I did. And it wouldn't let me.
So, I hit “forgot password” and waited for the system to send me an email with a link to re-set. Once, I got it, I clicked the link and got this.
WTF!!! If I didn't have a profile, how could the system send me an email?? I tried three or four more times before I decided to go back and see if I could re-register. Or un-register or anything. But, of course the effing system says I'm in there.
Okay, this has gone on for days (yes, I know that's the definition of insanity). I've tried multiple log-ins. And, I've even tried to create an account with another email and it won't let me. And, I'm sure that I'm not the only one.
So guess what? I'm just calling a broker for rates. I'm not dealing with the screwed up Obamacare system. The whole thing sucks.
Anyone had any luck getting in?
I as well am uninsurable so am banking on Obamacare for insurance. I would get some of the same messages, system down, too many people. I finally got through and could input my families info (just my husband and I). Then of course I had the dreaded your identity could not be identify and had to call. The first call took about 15min on hold but they were able the “verify” my identity by some very odd questions (we noticed you purchased pet insurance recently, from which one?) none can be an answer. Even after being verified over the phone it never updated on the website, in which I called again. 5min wait time (not too shabby)where they told me that they are “working out the glitches” and I was actually verified but could take a bit to update on the system. So in conclusion I have yet to see the prices of the policies they have to offer but I hear that there are many to choose from. In a side note the phone number spells a not so funny thing. Not appropriate for a family blog but I actually spent the time to look it up from a cousin of ours had mentioned in a post. It is true!
Yes the whole health care system is messed up and needs reform but yea, I don’t think this current reform is the answer at all and definitely doesn’t leave much confidence for how it will work when there is this much trouble right from the start.
Man that sucks but it doesn’t surprise me. I tried the second day but I could never get the page to go anywhere after that one with the different pie-charty circle images, even after leaving it up for HOURS. I can’t wait (yes I can) until the point where we can actually see what we’ll be paying (being gouged for) for healthcare 🙂
I have insurance through Tricare, but I was just curious to see what all the Obamacare hoopla was about and I got the exact same message everytime I tried to check out the page. I wonder if anyone ever actually got on at all.
We already have crappy insurance that doesn’t pay anything. We were looking forward to Obamacare hopefully getting us a decent policy for the $600+ a month (and you know it will go up at the first of the year) we already pay. I don’t have much hope, but we are waiting a bit. I will probably talk to my broker before we do anything. I don’t think this is the answer to this county’s healthcare needs. I think the whole thing was to many changes for to many people at once. Obama is trying to help the poor and the middle class at the same time. I have had my own very specific issue with the way insurance and providers are handled. But I have never heard anybody really come up with a better idea. So this is what we have. And for now we need to make the best of it. There isn’t a whole lot we can do about it. As my husband says, it is what it is.
Wow, Deb! I totally feel for you on that! And, I’m with you on the Nobama Care. I thought it was funny when a Saturday Night Live skit basically played out the whole thing you personally experienced and described in your post. But, gzz! That’s Not Funny! It’s all so backwards. Prayers.
And, remember, Nobama or not – You are HAPPY don’t let em mess that up too. 🙂
Cheers to you and yours,
Therese
Have you tried again recently? I’m still getting my identity verified (so weird) but the site is working much better. Execution was horrible. But as a freelancer/small business person I’m looking forward to having an affordable option!
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I went directly to a carrier to enroll since we weren’t going to qualify for a subsidy.