Update on my own Obamacare adventures:
Here in Utah, which uses the Fed site, I've been trying to sign up since the site went live on October 1st.
The site has improved greatly, let's you browse the plans available in your state and county, and gives you estimates of costs based on your age. I've picked a plan I want to buy, and have the phone number of the plan provider.
The problem is, I'm eligible for a Fed tax subsidy to help me pay the premiums. To get that, I have to complete my Obamacare application. I've made progress as the site has been "fixed", but I'm STILL unable to complete my application online. I'm sure I've spent at least 40 hours and attempted to do it 20 times. I've "thrown away" my previous applications and started new ones three times. Despite clicking on buttons that say "Save & Continue", the site forgets information I've previously entered, which I have to re-enter on my next attempt.
I've sent in a filled out printed application. I've consulted with phone "Navigators" who tried to help me complete my application. The problem all of these people have is, they are only able to enter the information through the SAME website. Yesterday, I coordinated on the phone with a navigator who got stuck at the exact same place I had. He had no other way to do the work. The website is THE bottleneck for everyone who tries to help me, the phone navigators and the people who enter the information off my mailed-in paper form. There is no work-around.
I can't be alone in this. There have to be 10's of millions of people who are unable to complete their Obamacare applications - basically every American with no insurance and a pre-existing condition that has barred them previously. So, if Obamacare sign-ups seem low, I believe this is the reason.
Meanwhile, I soldier on. I'm going to try again right now.
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