Here are links to some of the reports and other proof that HHS is greatly de-emphasizing the use of paper apps.
What other HHS and journalists are also not telling the public is that people who have not received a decision on their paper application can file an appeal citing the inaction and lack of processing by HHS. They can ask for their insurance to start 1/1/14 even if they don't get a decision letter until several weeks after 12/23/13, They can also contact an ombudsman to complain and they should be calling the Obamacare 800# daily to check on the status of their subsidy application.
Below are expamples of changes made by HHS to steer helpers and customers away from paper applications.
Latest instructions to Obamacare application helpers do not include a paper application as an option (See Links 1, 2, 3, and 4 below). By this omission of instructions about paper apps, CMS is saying that paper apps are no longer an option AND SHOULD NOT BE USED.. HAS HHS/CMS ADMITTED TO THE PRESS OR THE PUBLIC THAT THERE ARE SEVERE SOFTWARE PROBLEMS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM MAILING SUBSIDY DECISION LETTERS TO CITIZENS SO THEY CAN CHOSE A QHP (QUALIFIED HEALTH PLAN BY 12/23/13 IN ORDER TO HAVE COVERAGE EFFECTIVE 1/1/14? I PERSONALLY KNOW ONE PERSONS WHO ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY DUE TO DEHYDRATION FROM COLD/FLU SYMTOMS AND SOMEONE WITH A POSSIBLE ABCESSED TOOTH AND HAS MEDICAID BUT WITH A $450/MONTHLY DEDUCTIBLE AND WHO HAD THEIR FOODSTAMPS REDUCED. BECAUSE OF THE INCOMPETENCE OF HHS/CMS AND THEIR CONTRACTORS, I AM SURE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS ACROSS THE NATION THAT WILL NEED MEDICAL CARE IN JANUARY 2014, BUT MAY SLIP TOWARD BANKRUPTCY OR SEVERE WORSENING OF THEIR ALREADY DANGEROUS MEDICAL CONDITION, INCLUDING DIABETES, HEART CONDITIONS, SEIZURES, THE FLU, INJURIES, PREGNANCY COMPLICATION, ETC. SEE THE FIRST POST ON THIS BLOG FOR THE REGULATIONS THAT PERMIT OBAMACARE APPLICANTS THE RIGHT TO APPEAL THE START DATE FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE AND/OR THE FACT THAT THEIR ELIGIBLITY NOTICE WAS DELAYED, TO OMSBUDSMEN OR THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT PERMITS HHS TO CHANGE THE STARTING DATE OF COVERAGE IF DELAYS RESULT FROM THEIR INACTION OR ERRORS BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THEIR CONTRACTORS. (TITLE 45 CFR §155.420 Special enrollment periods)
LINK 1:
It Is locate on this page:
Link 2 : until
It is found under link titled : /tips for helping consumers enroll at the bottom of this page:
LINK 3 (Below is the page you get if you press the button titled :Individuals and Families" on the Home page. It displays only two buttons that read "Apply Online" and "Apply by Phone"
Again CMS/HHS is telling customers and staff not to file a paper app. Why can't they be honest about the delays in sending out decision letters for apps. This fact has been shared verbally on an internal basis. They should be honest and tell the press and the public. I wonder if the President knows? Until recently he has encouraged people to file by paper too if they wanted to. The behavior and scenario explains why he didn't know how poorly the website and other software were designed until after their launch. Come January, the WH may not be the Grinch who stole Christmas but it may be the Grinch who stole help and hope from those who are suffering and those who are ill.
The Grinch puzzled and puzzled...till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
Maybe Christmas-he thought--doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more.
Help me! I'm...feeling HONEST?
And what happened then--Well, in Whoville they say...that the Grinch's
small heart grew three sizes that day
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
Maybe Christmas-he thought--doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more.
Help me! I'm...feeling HONEST?
And what happened then--Well, in Whoville they say...that the Grinch's
small heart grew three sizes that day
but he still had no insurance
due to a government delay!
LINK 4 Archive copy of www.healthcare.gov home page as of 11/7/13 - There is a large graphic in the middle of the page that talks about the four ways to get coverage, which includes paper applications.
Here is an archived copy of the home page around 2:30 AM on 12/2 where the large graphic list the 4 ways to file had been removed.
This the day after the tip sheets for application helpers were issued as referred to above and it is also the same day that the operation progress report was released:
Even though the halting of paper application process is a software problem it is not mentioned in the report. When the primary parachute failed to open properly (healthcare.gov) as planned in October, HHS and the WH have reminded the public for two months that they can file paper applications (the back-up chute). It is a horrific feeling to realize that the back-up chute did not open either. We all know it will not be a soft landing. One thing that would help would be to be honest about the paper app delay. For thousands of Americans this will bee a matter of life and death just like a faulty parachute.
**********************************************************************
https://www.healthcare.gov/
The primary heading on the home page reads, "Enroll by Dec. 23 for coverage starting as soon as Jan. 1."
The heading should also include a large disclaimer explaining that individuals and families must file second app after subsidy decision is made, which could take several weeks..
https://www.healthcare.gov/
The primary heading on the home page reads, "Enroll by Dec. 23 for coverage starting as soon as Jan. 1."
The heading should also include a large disclaimer explaining that individuals and families must file second app after subsidy decision is made, which could take several weeks..
Paper App Instructions state:
"Mail your original, signed application (and appendices, if applicable) to: Health Insurance Marketplace Dept. of Health and Human Services 465 Industrial Blvd. London, KY 40750-0001 When you mail your application, be sure to use the correct amount of postage. The postage rate will depend on the weight of your application, which will be based on the number of pages you’ve included. If you don’t have all the information or you can’t finish all the items, send in your application anyway. We’ll follow up with you within 1–2 weeks.
Next Steps You’ll get information on how to enroll in a plan (if you’re eligible) when you get your eligibility results.
Next Steps You’ll get information on how to enroll in a plan (if you’re eligible) when you get your eligibility results.
No comments:
Post a Comment