Automatic Re-Enrollment Could Leave Customers On Hook To Pay Thousands For Plans They Don’t Want
“It’s as if I went to a Ford dealer to buy a Ford car, and then I get a call from Chevy saying, ‘Your Chevy truck is ready, and we need the money,'" said Robert Holub after he received a bill for $3,483 to pay for a plan he didn't choose. Like many other enrollees, Holub's current coverage will not be available in 2018 so the government automatically switched him over to a new one. Meanwhile, the deadline for the federal and some state exchanges is quickly coming up.
The New York Times:
An Obamacare Surprise In The Mail: New Insurers And New Costs
Meg and Robert Holub were surprised to receive a letter last week welcoming them to a new health insurance plan and telling them to pay $3,483 by Jan. 8. “We have received your application for individual and family coverage effective 1/1/2018,” the letter said. The only problem: They never applied for the coverage, did not want it and could not afford it. “I worried, did someone hack my account to sign me up for this?” Mr. Holub said. “And I wondered, what are the implications if I don’t pay for this plan? Will I be hounded by a credit agency?” (Pear, 12/11)
The Associated Press:
Some Glitches Seen In Deadline Week For 'Obamacare' Sign-Ups
Consumer advocates reported some glitches Monday in the final days for "Obamacare" sign-ups, although the Trump administration largely seemed to be keeping its promise of a smooth enrollment experience. In Illinois, some consumers who successfully completed an application for financial assistance through HealthCare.gov got a message saying they would likely be eligible to buy a health plan, "but none are available to you in your area." (12/11)
The Hill:
Obama Urges ObamaCare Signups Ahead Of Deadline
Former President Barack Obama on Monday urged people to sign up for ObamaCare ahead of Friday’s deadline and denounced Republican efforts to roll back the law. Obama joined a call with navigators and volunteers who help people sign up for coverage under the law, his office said, and made an appeal on Twitter and Facebook. (Sullivan, 12/11)