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Isn’t there enough misinformation without stuff like this?

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* The AP needs a babysitter in its Chicago office. To wit…

Illinois’ marketplace is called Get Covered Illinois. It was experiencing some glitches Tuesday. People trying to enroll we’re having problems with the website, and some reported waits of 20 minutes or more on a hotline set up to assist consumers.

Quinn says glitches are part of any new endeavor.

Actually, those were problems with the national website, as reported by the Tribune and others today, not with the state site.

The error rate at that Chicago AP office is getting really high and I’ve been meaning to write about it, so now’s a good time to start. They did change the copy, although without admitting the original mistake…

But the federal website where people enroll was experiencing some glitches. Consumers couldn’t get beyond initial screens, and some reported waits of 20 minutes on a hotline set up to assist them.

Quinn says glitches are part of any new endeavor.

Sheesh.

* There was one problem with the Illinois site…

At least one of the questions — “Including everyone that you live with, how much money do you get each month from the sources you selected before taxes” — did not list an actual dollar amount under choices “less than” or “more than.”

I saw that as well today and it puzzled me, especially since that question had a lot to do with whether you were then directed to the state’s Medicaid site or the federal Obamacare site.

Anyone else having problems with either the state or federal sites today?

…Adding… The media hype about overloaded websites is a bit puzzling to me.

When people stand in line for hours to buy an iPhone that is out of stock by the time they get to the front of the line it’s evidence of Apple’s amazing popularity.

When it takes forever to download a new iPhone operating system, it’s because Apple is so darned popular.

These are first-day glitches. If the problem persists, then it’s an issue.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 12:47 pm

Comments

The fix to the AP story doesn’t make any sense. You reference the federal website then quote Quinn?

This ain’t heavy-lifting, folks.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 12:59 pm
I got hung up in the middle of the registration process on the federal site. Being the first day and all, I figured it was total server overload, not unlike filing your tax returns on the night of the they’re due.

No rush at this point. I’ll try again in a couple days, in the middle of the night.

Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:05 pm
I meant: night of the day they’re due.

Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:07 pm
===not unlike filing your tax returns on the night of the they’re due.===

Or updating your iPhone to IOS7 on the first day available. Or going to an Apple Store the first day a new product is launched. Not good ideas.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:08 pm
Same problem with the IL site- it was a good and simple layout, but was just given the choice of “less than” or “more than” with no amount.

On the federal site I ended up with the common “User cannot be created at this time” but had a hiccup along the way- I needed to create security questions, but the dropdowns were empty but mandatory. A quick refresh fixed it.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:12 pm
I’ve spent most of the morning trying to help a friend create a user account. It wasn’t until around 11 am that I managed to get to the actual user creation pages; unfortunately, the security questions page was blank so I could not finish setting up the account.

Comment by I tried the Fed site Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:15 pm
I think the reason for the over/under income question is that if you’re over $X, you go to the exchange; if you’re under $X you get sent to sign up for Medicaid. I think you get more detailed questions on income when the federal site calculates your subsidy.

Lots of clicks on the state site, but still pretty straightforward, IMO. I haven’t gotten on to the federal site yet. Traffic, which is totally expected and a good thing for a web site launch.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:16 pm
To belabor the analogy:

The media might be hyping the story because the government doesn’t mandate everyone who doesn’t have an iPhone to buy one.

Long lines at Apple stores are because people want to be there. High traffic load on the federal website is being caused because people have to or pay a fine.

That’s my best guess, but what do I know; I’m a PC.

Comment by SirLankselot Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:21 pm
I just tried accessing a page on my YouTube account. Said it was unavailable at the moment. WE MUST REPEAL YOUTUBE!!!

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:24 pm
Went through the state site just to see it and had no problems. At the end it sent me to the fed site where I have seen this all day.

Health Insurance Marketplace: Please wait

We have a lot of visitors on our site right now and we’re working to make your experience here better. Please wait here until we send you to the login page. Thanks for your patience!

Comment by Ready To Get Out Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:25 pm
===High traffic load on the federal website is being caused because people have to or pay a fine.===

They don’t have to be there today.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:25 pm
@Rich — WE MUST REPEAL YOUTUBE!!!

Or DEFUND it!

Comment by Ready To Get Out Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:26 pm
“They don’t have to be there today.”

True but some people are hardwired to do things now instead of procrastinating. Others have been looking forward to enrolling in health care since they don’t have it. Also, today has been a much publicized date for the rollout.

A wide range of reasons can be attributed to the slow service. Besides, it’s not like we can ration bandwidth.

Comment by SirLankselot Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:31 pm
The over-under $$$ amount worked for me. (Either they fixed it or it’s a browser thing.) If you make less than $6K/mo for a family of four, you get kicked over to Medicaid.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:33 pm
Give me a break- it took all of 10 minutes to download and install the new Apple OS and that was with 200 million people doing so within 24 hours- Obama gets along so well with Tim Cook he might have asked for the assist

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:33 pm
There will be only one true test of AHA; do healthy young people buy it. Its the same test Apple faces without a penalty, but if the penalty is less than the cost of insurance, few will buy it. Those that do aren’t participating in a free market, but engaging in charity.

Comment by Weltschmerz Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:34 pm
===it took all of 10 minutes to download and install the new Apple OS===

Took me close to half an hour. Last time was over an hour.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:36 pm
Regarding some slowdowns and glitches, many may be a function of site overload. HealthCare.gov was working great for me when I was poking around after midnight last night.

==True but some people are hardwired to do things now instead of procrastinating.==

Oh yes, you must do it now! Today! It’s not like signup ends tomorrow. You’ve got 3 months.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:38 pm
Those that already have a preconceived notion about the ACA are going to latch onto anything to show that it’s not working and that it’s the devil incarnate. There will be a lot more of these stories.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:40 pm
===There will be a lot more of these stories. ===

Agreed. And many will be valid. This hodgepodge of a health insurance plan looks like somebody spilled salad on the floor.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Well, I waited and waited and made it to the account creation pages again. This time, the security question were showing but when I submitted my (completely unique)answers, I received the following error, “Important: Your account couldnt be created at this time.
Please note that two or more answers to the security questions cannot be the same. You must provide distinct answers to the chosen security questions. Please wait a few moments and try again.” I think some of the load issues may be slowly being resolved as I can actually get further in the process now than I could this morning.
(As to why I am trying so hard to get this done today instead of waiting, the answer is simple. My friend that I am trying to help does not have health insurance and needs it - sooner rather than later. Plus, I have the time to do it today unlike later in the week/month/etc.)

Comment by I tried the Fed site Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 1:50 pm
The Spanish-language enrollment tool is not up yet on the state site. DOI says sometime next week.

Comment by Yossarian Lives Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:09 pm
The government has had 3 years to set this up. Total disaster is occurring. I’m doing it the easy way; I’m going to the nearest jail and turn myself in. 3 hots and a cot sounds pretty good to me!!!

Comment by catch22 Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:11 pm
===I’m going to the nearest jail and turn myself in. 3 hots and a cot sounds pretty good to me!!! ===

You are unbelievably clueless. Have fun in prison, sweetie.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:14 pm
== My friend that I am trying to help does not have health insurance and needs it - sooner rather than later. ==

Then you might want to call Blue Cross or Aetna or some such directly, because, if my understanding is correct, the policy you get through ACA doesn’t not go into effect until January 1st.

Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:14 pm
I just gave it another go and, like this morning, got hung up on the security question page in creating my account. My employer wants feedback on whether employees will want to stick with company-provided insurance or have the company drop insurance and give the money they’re spending now to employees to use on the exchange. Not a great rush, but it’s been a long time coming and I’m looking forward to seeing real numbers.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:26 pm
It’s taking so long because there’s so much demand on the sites: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Texas-Health-Care-Exchange-Relying-on-Feds-225967281.html

Comment by K3 Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:43 pm
The private sector never properly stress tests their systems before roll out either. Doesn’t speak well that they had three years to get ready, and weren’t.

Comment by otoh Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:43 pm
==Total disaster is occurring==

Go to your bunker. The world is ending. This hysteria makes me laugh right now. Come see me in a few weeks if there are still issues. Until then I think we should keep the histrionics to a minimum.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:52 pm
I had a problem on the security questions as well. Tried it from an iPad so not sure if it is a browser problem or a site problem. I plan to try different browsers later to see if that is the problem.

Comment by Nuance Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:53 pm
I noticed the issue with that question as well. It’s like they hired the high school English dropouts that right for TRS and SURS.

(Was that a misteak! Know. I won’t admit to that. If you have trouble reeding this its your fault.)

Comment by Downstate Illinois Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 2:53 pm
I would like to share my first Obamacare experience. I just had two clients (husband and wife) come into the office because their CountyCare case was canceled due to income being too high. They were freaking out because the husband is sick (visibly apparent) and the wife has surgery upcoming due to a serious illness, and they were worried about being able to pay medical bills. As of today they have no healthcare.

The husband said he worked for 39 straight years until he got sick earlier this year. Before he got his Social Security Disability income, he said he borrowed from friends and family to pay his bills because of no income.

Now under the AABD Medicaid program, for disabled people, the man will have a high deductible, because he has high income. It’s possible that starting January 1, 2014, he can get a private insurance plan via Obamacare for less than his deductible. We also advised him to apply for Medicare.

As for the wife, we informed them that we can use her bills toward her husband’s AABD deductible, or she can talk with her doctor and see if she can get a sliding-scale payment set up, so that she can get medical care. We advised her to seek medical care for now no matter who pays, because life-saving healthcare can’t be delayed.

I went to the Illinois ACA website and was able to print a list of enrollment “assisters” who will help people enroll via the phone. It was no problem getting to this information. We advised the couple to look at the ACA exchange and compare prices.

This shows how important health insurance is, and how wrong it is for a political party to shut down the government to prevent thousands if not millions of people from getting help so that a health catastrophe doesn’t destroy them. The ACA was litigated multiple times in our government and survived. If it turns out to be a bad law, the voters will decide.

From what I can see, some people may fall in the cracks and not get the best possible coverage. That can be worked on later, but the ACA is at least a start in that direction.

I read recently about Germany and its health insurance system. If I’m not mistaken, it’s a dual-payer system, private and public. The public insurance is the largest of the two and is compulsory, just like the ACA. Workers and employers must pay into the system. The other system is private insurance, and those who prefer and can afford it use private health insurance. The key word is compulsory (COMPULSORY for Tea Party folks), and is used in other countries. I read that even conservative Germans support universal healthcare because it gives Germany an economic advantage.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:11 pm
@Cheswick Thank you for your concern. You are correct that the coverage doesn’t start until Jan. 1st. We tried to get a quote from Blue Cross last week (maybe week before?) but they told us we had to wait until today to find out the newest rates. The healthcare.gov site is supposed to be a clearing house for insurance quotes and would be easier than calling Aetna, BCBS, humana, Carl, Land of Lincoln Health Ins Co-op, etc. individually.

Comment by I tried the Fed site Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:17 pm
The irony of this going online at the same time much of the rest of the federal government is shut down is just delicious. Can you say total whiff?

Comment by TwoFeetThick Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:19 pm
We spent abour 2 hours yesterday signing up medicare supplements after waiting 2 days to get an app t.
gotta think delays are due to whack job hackers

Comment by circular firing squad Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:30 pm
For those of us who are old enough to remember the start of Medicare it sounds pretty familiar. The critics were predicting that not only would it be unacceptable to most seniors but it would destroy health care in the US. Just as those sayers of doom were wrong I suspect those who are bashing the ACA will be wrong as well. There will be bumps and problems but it will work. What a coincidence that it’s coming from the same political party……..not.

Comment by Old and In The Way Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:36 pm
What’s being lost in the media hype and political posturing is that people who didn’t have group coverage from employers, Medicare, etc., are beginning to get help.

My family stands to save thousands of dollars (due to self-employment, pre-existing conditions and other factors), but we’re not going to contact the exchanges till the rush tapers off a little. I don’t even go grocery shopping Friday afternoon at quitting time!

Comment by olddog Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:48 pm
I just saw this in the Rich’s sidebar:

“Breaking from HHS on conf call: More than 2.8 million people already visited new health care market site. Open less than 24 hours.

https://twitter.com/lynnsweet/status/385134893971161088

Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 3:48 pm
Status quo is unacceptable.
Change is bad.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 4:24 pm
People are not happy about the glitches (heard at least a few folks grumpin’ about it alREADy today), and even if the Feds. are in on it, “ALL Politics is LOcal, as the Old Saying goes”, and Pat QUINN is the One who’s going to be the Target for any such gross incompetence, and get kicked around for it if he/his Administration doesn’t work out this LAtest Boondoggle–and fast!!! People have been waiting a LONG TIME for this day to arrive, and this is the best they can DO so far? Both “Ugh” AND “Yuck…!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Oct 1, 13 @ 7:27 pm