The site has so far failed to resolve errors in premiums and deductibles that have saddled many consumers with higher costs, says the Washington Post. February 3, 2014 7:49 AM PST (Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET) Around 22,000 people have reportedly appealed to correct mistakes made by HealthCare.gov in their insurance plans. But as of now, an appeals system isn't even in place. Consumers are complaining that they were charged too much for insurance, forced into the wrong plan, or denied coverage altogether, The Washington Post reported on Monday, citing internal government data. Futher, the computer system used by HealthCare.gov won't yet let employees change enrollment records at this point, the Post added, according to people inside and outside the government who are familiar with the situation. "There is no indication that infrastructure . . . necessary for conducting informal reviews and fair hearings has even been created, let alone become operational," attorneys at the National Health Law Program wrote in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that manages the HealthCare.gov site. Even CMS has acknowledged that the system is not quite up and running, telling the Post that "we are working to fully implement the appeals system." As such, disgruntled consumers are stuck in limbo with the government failing to act on their requests to correct mistakes. One person told the Post that she has to pay $100 more per month than she should for insurance and that her deductible is $4,000 too high. Another who called the CMS support team was reportedly told by someone that "the system is not set up to go into someone's account and correct a mistake." CNET contacted CMS for comment and will update the story with any further information.
The site has so far failed to resolve errors in premiums and deductibles that have saddled many consumers with higher costs, says the Washington Post.
(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)
Around 22,000 people have reportedly appealed to correct mistakes made by HealthCare.gov in their insurance plans. But as of now, an appeals system isn't even in place.
Consumers are complaining that they were charged too much for insurance, forced into the wrong plan, or denied coverage altogether, The Washington Post reported on Monday, citing internal government data. Futher, the computer system used by HealthCare.gov won't yet let employees change enrollment records at this point, the Post added, according to people inside and outside the government who are familiar with the situation.
"There is no indication that infrastructure . . . necessary for conducting informal reviews and fair hearings has even been created, let alone become operational," attorneys at the National Health Law Program wrote in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that manages the HealthCare.gov site. Even CMS has acknowledged that the system is not quite up and running, telling the Post that "we are working to fully implement the appeals system."
As such, disgruntled consumers are stuck in limbo with the government failing to act on their requests to correct mistakes. One person told the Post that she has to pay $100 more per month than she should for insurance and that her deductible is $4,000 too high. Another who called the CMS support team was reportedly told by someone that "the system is not set up to go into someone's account and correct a mistake."
CNET contacted CMS for comment and will update the story with any further information.
