After two days of operation of Idaho's health insurance exchange, Executive Director Amy Dowd is offering this advice to those who are experiencing delays once they hit the federal application website, to which they're routed from Idaho's Yourhealthidaho.org site: "For those who may be having difficulty, when you get to the healthcare.gov application, you may see a 'holding page' for a few minutes before you enter the application process. If you're at the holding page, do not refresh your browser or leave the page. If you do, you will lose your place in the virtual line to get into the application."

Dowd said Idaho's Yourhealthidaho.org site had 18,000 unique visitors its first day alone. In the first two days, Idaho's call center took more than 800 calls and answered more than 100 emails.

"Due to the high volume of interest, our application through healthcare.gov has been experiencing longer than expected processing times," she said. "We know that this is frustrating, but we really appreciate everyone’s patience. We have heard that Idahoans are getting through and that applications are processing." Click below for Dowd's full statement.

Oct. 2, 2013          

Amy Dowd, Executive Director of Your Health Idaho Issued the Following Update Today

I am so pleased with the positive response from Idahoans to the start of Your Health Idaho’s open enrollment period. We had more than 18,000 unique visitors to www.YourHealthIdaho.org yesterday alone.

In the past two days, our Consumer Resource Center has taken nearly 800 calls and answered more than 100 emails. Our team is helping Idahoans connect with agents, brokers and In-Person Assisters from around the state, as well as answering questions about health insurance in general and how to get enrolled in a health plan through Your Health Idaho.

As you know, due to the high volume of interest, our application through healthcare.gov has been experiencing longer than expected processing times. We know that this is frustrating, but we really appreciate everyone’s patience. We have heard that Idahoans are getting through and that applications are processing.

For those who may be having difficulty, when you get to the healthcare.gov application you may see a “holding page” for a few minutes before you enter the application process. If you're at the holding page, do not refresh your browser or leave the page. If you do, you will lose your place in the virtual line to get into the application.

And most importantly, don’t worry, there is plenty of time to enroll in a health plan and Your Health Idaho is here to help.

·        Open enrollment goes until March 31, 2014.  The earliest effective date of coverage is Jan. 1, 2014, but you must complete enrollment by Dec. 15, 2013 to have your insurance start on that date.  Coverage purchased after Dec. 15, 2013 will have a later start date.

·        We are here to help! Your Health Idaho’s trained Consumer Connectors, including agents, brokers and In-Person Assisters, are available by phone or in person to help you understand your options and complete your enrollment application.  But remember…only an agent or broker can recommend a plan for you to buy. You can find a Consumer Connector near you using our locator tool at www.YourHealthIdaho.org or by calling our Consumer Resource Center at 855-YH-Idaho (855-944-3246)

 

About Your Health Idaho

Your Health Idahowas established by State law in 2013 to provide an online marketplace where Idaho families and small businesses can go to compare and purchase health insurance. Your Health Idaho is governed by a 19-member Board authorized by the Idaho Legislature to set the rules and regulations for implementing a State-based health insurance exchange.

Stephen Weeg of Pocatello, a retired executive director of Health West, serves as chairman of the Board.  The Board must establish an exchange by January 1, 2014, as required by federal law. It is empowered by State law to develop an operating plan and contract for required services.

For more information please visit www.yourhealthidaho.org. You can also check us out on Facebook or on Twitter.  

 

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