Burwell promises smoother, faster health plan enrollment

Photo By Don Ryan, STF / Associated Press

The nation's top health official visited San Antonio today to remind consumers they now can sign up for 2015 health insurance coverage using what she described as a smoother, simpler online enrollment tool.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said online enrollment at HealthCare.gov should be faster and less frustrating for shoppers than it was last fall, when technical problems plagued the federal website during its opening weeks.

'As part of open enrollment, we have focused on the consumer,' Burwell said during an appearance at New Creation Christian Fellowship Church in Windcrest with Congressman Joaquin Castro, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor.

The HealthCare.gov website - and a Spanish version at CuidadodeSalud.gov - allow consumers to compare the different health insurance plans available, apply for tax credits that can help reduce premiums and sign up for coverage at their own pace.

Most shoppers returning to the federal marketplace this year will find their personal information already has been preloaded into the database, so instead of entering that data all over again, they can simply review it for accuracy. The online enrollment process now has 16 steps instead of the 76 steps required last year, Burwell said.

The federal government also tested website for five weeks this year - beginning in August, well in advance of the Nov. 15 opening date - compared to just 10 days of advanced testing conducted last fall, she said.

Those needing personal assistance can call 800-318-2596 or can visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov to find out where face-to-face help is available locally.

'For all those folks that came in and enrolled last year, you want to come back and re-enroll ... because you want to make sure that your information's up to date and that you are getting the best plan in terms of affordability,' Burwell added.

Nationally, federal health officials have projected 9 million people will purchase health insurance coverage for next year through the federal and various state-based exchanges - a very modest increase from the less than 7 million consumers who enrolled and kept their health plans in 2014.

In Bexar County, 76,000 people signed up for health coverage in 2014. Local officials are plowing toward a goal to sign up 47,000 additional Bexar County residents by the Feb. 15 open enrollment deadline.

After Feb. 15, consumers won't be able to get health coverage for the rest of the year through the federal marketplace unless they experience a special qualifying circumstance, such as the loss of a job, a change in employment, moving to another city, getting married, getting divorced or having a child.

Coverage will begin Jan. 1 for those who enroll and pay their first premiums by Dec. 15.

Marketplace shoppers wanting to keep the same health plan they purchased last time should not assume that plan will stay the same next year. Insurance companies may change some of a health plan's features from one year to the next. Consumers are wise to fully evaluate any looming changes to their health plan and to compare that with other options on the market, officials said.

To read more about Burwell's visit and about health insurance enrollment, visit ExpressNews.com.

pohare@express-news.net