Waiting times to get help from the Obamacare operation in California remain near peak levels, with phone callers on hold for an average of more than 49 minutes in the latest reporting period. The worst reported wait times were in the previous period -- the final days of signup for insurance coverage to begin Jan. 1 -- with callers on hold for an hour. Calls of up an hour and a half have been reported. The shortest wait times since ... (More)
Kaiser, Anthem extend deadlines
January 17, 2014 Leave a Comment
More deadlines are being extended in the wake of problems with implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California and across the nation. Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net previously joined other Covered California-affiliated carriers in extended their deadlines for payments for the first month's premiums to Jan. 15. Now they're going further. Kaiser is giving its new customers until Jan. 22 to pay their ... (More)
Bill would include illegal aliens
January 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Saying that "immigration status shouldn't bar individuals from health coverage," state Sen. Ricardo Lara is proposing a radical expansion of the Affordable Care Act in California. Lara, who heads the state's Latino Legislative Caucus, says about 1 million "undocumented residents" will go without health coverage under Obamacare, which specifically excludes them. He'll file legislation that would include them in the California health ... (More)
New Covered Cal push for Latinos
January 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Covered California has unveiled a new statewide ad campaign that includes "an intensified" effort to sign up Spanish-speaking residents. The state Obamacare operation has been under fire for a representationally small number of signups for those who have been identified as primarily Spanish-language speakers. The 60-second Latino TV ad (video below), which rolls out this weekend, will be reinforced by Spanish-language direct mail ... (More)
Paper applications in 5 languages
January 3, 2014 Leave a Comment
The Covered California web site is now offering paper applications in five languages, including Spanish and Chinese. The Spanish-language application became available just before the start of the new year, apparently after the deadline for coverage beginning Jan. 1 (2014). Officials said they did not want to release an "application that was not ready" and have had admitted that the Latino outreach could have been better. Officials ... (More)
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