Metal Level Health Care Plans and How to Enroll

Types of Plans

Infographic from ConnectTheDotsUSA.com detailing metal levels for health care plans

Explanation of the Metal Level Plans

Viewing the Plans in Your Area

Pricing differs based on your geographic location and some individual factors.  Even though enrollment has been open for a month, it has been challenging even trying to view plans at this point in time. 

Enrollment opened on October 1, but the online federal Marketplace was not ready to handle the large volume of traffic to the site.  This has made it difficult to even view plans let alone enroll.  Seventeen states have state-run exchanges (Pennsylvania is not one of them).  These have been successful in getting people enrolled. 

How It Works (or lack thereof)

The federal Marketplace is set up in a way that you have to create a user profile before you can view anything.  During the first week of open enrollment, I wasn’t able to create a profile.  The week after that, I created a profile, but then I wasn’t able to confirm it and log in.  Finally, in the past week, I have been able to view plans in my area.  I am still unable to select a plan and enroll.  So, at this point, you may be able to create a username and view plans in your area fairly quickly.  Or, it may take you three weeks to get to the same point as myself. 

The government is saying that the Web site should be fully functional by the middle of December.  By this point, it may be too late to get coverage for January 1^st (you must enroll by December 15^th and pay for your first month’s premium before January 1^st).  Coverage purchased after December 15^th, can begin as soon as February 1^st.   

Other Enrollment Methods/ Access to Plans

There are other ways to learn of available plans in your area.  You can call 1-800-318-2596.  Since the Marketplace debacle, more staff has been added to call centers to help people enroll.  

Paper applications are also available.   Our Certified Application Counselor has helped a few people fill these out during our community outreach events.   

A word of caution: A couple weeks ago she mailed in a few paper applications for people to the address listed on the application.  The letters were returned today with a note saying the address could not be found.  The address was something unreal like 1001 XYZ Drive, Washington D.C.  We Googled it before mailing the applications, and Google found it as an ACA Headquarters location.  We should have followed our hunch; it’s not a real place.  I just checked the application form.  The address has been updated to what sounds like a believable place:

Health Insurance Marketplace
Dept. of Health and Human Services
465 Industrial Blvd.
London, KY 40750-0001

Recap of Enrollment Methods

Online Marketplace: If it is state run, you should be good to go.  If it is the federal exchange, you may have trouble enrolling.  For the few people I have spoken with who have had success online, they have accessed the site between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.  You may try this if you would like.

Phone number: 1-800-318-2596

Paper application: It takes about 10 weeks from the time you mail papers in until the time you are officially enrolled.

Community Navigators/Certified Application Counselors: Currently, they are at bit of a standstill.  Unfortunately, they cannot magically access the Marketplace.  They can help you understand what you will need to enroll and answer any questions about how you may be affected by the law.

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UPDATES as of 11-5-2013:

The federal Marketplace is undergoing major repairs from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. every night and is unavailable between these times.

The Obama Administration is now claiming the Web site should be running more smoothly by the end of this month instead of the middle of December.