WASHINGTON – Thousands of Americans, already frustrated over the flawed roll-out of Obamacare, are receiving letters that their policies are being canceled.
That runs counter to President Obama’s claim that you can keep your plan if you like it. But insurance companies don’t want to lose those customers, MarketWatch reporter Jonnelle Marte tells WTOP.
“[Many are] automatically enrolling people in other plans if they do not take action,” she says. “On the one hand, that can be good because it can help you to avoid a lapse in coverage. On the other, if you don’t pay attention, you could end up in a plan that may not be a really good fit for you. It may be more expensive, and maybe what it covers is not exactly what you’re looking for.”
Even if that happens, consumers can shop around for a new plan, then drop their old plan after they find one they want.
As Marte advises, you have some extra time.
“Open enrollment for anyone who’s shopping on the exchanges, even though they’re not working fully now, is still going to go on through the end of March.”
But if you’re looking to have your plan in place by Jan. 1, try to choose one by Dec. 15.
However, if you think you might be eligible for a subsidy but are being held back by the technical problems of the HealthCare.gov, there are certain things you can do.
“Either doing the paper application or calling somebody and doing it over the phone or working with a navigator in person,” Marte says, is one way you can get your information into the system and get the process started.
When the system is working properly, you’ll be able to start looking at the plans.
Finding a navigator can be tricky on the faulty website, but Marte says you can still find the number to call on the website and locate someone in your area who can help.
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