"In Person Helper" for Insurance Exchange application?

[herongrrrl]

Three days into the application process, I am at my wit’s end. Our household doesn’t fit into the state health benefits exchange application’s tidy boxes, but I can find NOWHERE to get help. The phone is always busy (no option to hold, just call back later), the email address for support gave me an auto-reply that they don’t answer specific application programs, the insurance carrier I’m wanting to purchase from can’t give me any help either.

I have heard that there are these mysterious “in person helpers” out there somewhere who will help you with your applications. (However, when I did a site search AND a general web search for these terms I came up empty.) Has anyone here actually encountered one of these people, and if so where are they and how can I reach them? Of course it would be ideal if they were here in WS, but I’ll take one in Spokane at this rate…

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[JanS]

do you mean insurance brokers? There was a previous thread about this…

https://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/anyone-used-a-broker-for-aca-coverage

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[herongrrrl]

Thanks for the quick reply, Jan, but no, I’m not looking for a broker. I know which plan I want, but I can’t complete the online application. I need to talk to someone who can help me with the actual application process.

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[Goober1]

herongrrl, King County Public Health has the contract to help in person. Check their website or call them directly. Good Luck!

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[Gina]

Some of the Seattle Public Libraries have volunteers helping with ACA for a limited time.

http://www.spl.org/audiences/adults/affordable-care-act

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[oddreality]

I just in the last 20 minutes finally got mine all finished and paid for. Woowho!!!

I just kept redialing the wahealthcare number until I got to a place where I could be put on hold. That took about 25 tries..then on hold for ten minutes to get the one that directs the calls then 30 minutes on hold to get to the one that could help. Might have been able to by-pass the first guy had I had a clue who I needed to .Keep redialing and then listen to the options carefully once you get through so you can avoid being on hold as long as I was. I am just so happy to be done and saving over $200 a month! YAY!!

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[herongrrrl]

Thanks for the leads. I’ve left several phone and email messages and am hoping for the best…going out in person with my 4 year old to wait indefinitely for help, or even waiting on hold for more than 5 minutes with said 4 year old around are hugely unappealing options, but if I don’t hear back from anyone by Saturday I guess that’s what I get to do. I am SO frustrated. I have applied for other health insurance, for jobs, for licenses, for classes, for all SORTS of other things online and I have never, ever encountered such difficulty in finding an actual person to talk to if needed.

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