Oklahoma Watch’s Warren Vieth is searching health-care options on the federally-run health-care marketplace for Oklahoma. He’s tweeting in real time as he tries to navigate the enrollment website, healthcare.gov. Tweets are below, with the most recent on top. For more information on the marketplace, here’s a detailed Q&A.
Just like the old days. Signing off for now. Warren Vieth.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 30, 2013
Important shift: I’m still frustrated by the whole process, but now I’m irritated with the private insurance company, not the government.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 30, 2013
So I’m paying the old-fashioned way, hoping the check gets there in time for coverage to begin Jan. 1.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 30, 2013
Tried to pay online, but couldn’t get BCBS website to work. Called phone line. Got stuck on perpetual hold with really bad music track.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 30, 2013
Obamacare Sign-Up Postscript, Warren Vieth reporting. Sending my first premium payment check today to Blue Cross Blue Shield.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 30, 2013
I’ll report back when that happens. Signing off for now.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 18, 2013
The website tells me I should receive instructions from Blue Cross Blue Shield within a few days on how to pay the first month’s premium.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 18, 2013
We chose a bronze-level health policy with monthly premiums of $412 a month per person. We don’t qualify for federal tax credits.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 18, 2013
“Congratulations!” the website declares. Considering the marketplace’s rocky launch, I’m not sure if it’s talking to me or to itself.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 18, 2013
Just punched the “confirm” button on the Affordable Care Act website so my wife and I can buy a health plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 18, 2013
All done! (I think.) Warren Vieth here, wrapping up my off-and-on, 11-week Obamacare sign-up saga.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 18, 2013
My wife and I are pretty old, and we’re about to pay for it. Signing off for now.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
Our rates aren’t necessarily typical. With a company plan, rates are the same regardless of age. Under Obamacare, rates go up with age.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
On the Obamacare marketplace, a replacement BCBS plan with the same benefits costs $1,192 a month. That’s a 14% hike for the same coverage.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
The Blue Cross Blue Shield plan provided by my current employer, OU, has a total monthly premium of $1,042 for my wife and me.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
Did Obamacare cause health insurance rates to rise? In Warren & Kathy Vieth’s case, at least, the answer appears to be yes.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
That narrows the list to 24 plans, with unsubsidized monthly premiums ranging from $412 to $1,076 per person for a couple of 60-year-olds.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
Of the 61 plans, it turns out my doctor doesn’t participate in 32 of them, and another 5 are expensive multi-state policies.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
Warren Vieth here, trying to figure out which of the 61 plans offered on the Affordable Care Act marketplace make sense for my wife and me.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
Obamacare Shopping Tip #1: Check out the doctors.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 17, 2013
I gave Kelsey a hug and said goodbye. I think I can finish up on my own. Signing off for now.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
For the record, it took 21 rounds and nearly 17 hours of computer and phone time to reach the end of the sign-up process.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
It was too much information to process in one session. I’ve got to go home and research our health spending.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
Eligibility confirmed, the website declared, before presenting me with a list of 61 health plans for which my wife & I qualify.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
“This is looking good,” Kelsey said soothingly, as I fidgeted in her small office at Variety Care in Norman. Then I punched the enter key.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
The eureka moment came after kind-hearted Obamacare counselor Kelsey Barrow helped me resubmit my application from scratch.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
Breakthrough! Warren Vieth here, with big news about my Obamacare sign-up slog: The website finally worked for me.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 12, 2013
I can’t do that now ’cause I’m at work and all my tax stuff is at home. Sharma said she was sorry. Signing off for now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 3, 2013
After several failed attempts, help line lady named Sharma said I should probably start from scratch with a whole new application. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 3, 2013
Never got that phone call they promised me. Tried logging on ACA website again and couldn’t get through sign-in process. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 3, 2013
Obamacare Signup Saga, cont’d. Warren Vieth here. Still can’t get on board the ACA train, despite website improvements. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) December 3, 2013
I’m flattered they consider me complex, and I clearly have issues. Signing off for now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 20, 2013
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services says its Advanced Resolution Center “is responsible for researching and resolving complex issues.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 20, 2013
Kylie says she’ll forward my info to the Advanced Resolution Center. I should get a call within 5 business days telling me what to do next. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 20, 2013
Used Obamacare phone assist (800-318-2596) to connect with nice woman named Kylie, who confirmed my identity verification is frozen. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 20, 2013
Obamacare signup, Round 19. Warren Vieth again. Made progress today, with help from ACA counselor Kelsey Barrow at Variety Care. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 20, 2013
Best bet may be to ditch the website and apply via telephone. She’s willing to help. Maybe tomorrow. Signing off for now. This is Round 18. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 19, 2013
My experience not that unusual, Kelsey says. Obamacare website is working better, but still creating roadblocks for many applicants. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 19, 2013
Spent 2 hours with Certified Application Counselor Kelsey Barrow at Variety Care clinic. Tried unsuccessfully to do another online sign-up. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 19, 2013
Obamacare Sign-Up Saga, Season 2. Warren Vieth here, tweeting again after a 25-day hiatus. I’m going to make this thing work, or die trying. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) November 19, 2013
Won’t know until tomorrow if my doctor participates in those. Signing off for now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Coventry offered me 16 plans. Cheapest bronze plan $815 a month for wife & me. Aetna offered 6 plans. Cheapest $808, but it’s catastrophic. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Thursday, 6:20pm. Round 16. Spent 10 minutes getting quotes from Coventry website, 15 minutes from Aetna. Both are ACA exchange participants — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
ACA postcript: Found out my primary care doctor doesn’t participate in 7 of the 19 plans Blue Cross offered me. That simplifies things a bit — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Policies would be much cheaper if we were younger or poorer. Next step: Check with other insurers. Signing off for now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
We can get silver for combined $967 to $1,192. That’s without tax credits. We don’t qualify for them because our income is too high. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Zachary’s in California but is licensed in Oklahoma. Bottom line: Wife & I can get basic bronze plans for total of $653 to $833 per month. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Took only 5 minutes to enter info and get list of 19 plan options & premium amounts. Phoned agent named Zachary to clarify plan options. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Thursday, 4:57 p.m. WV again. Ditched ACA website for now. Went to Blue Cross Blue Shield site instead. BCBS is participating in ACA in OK. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
I’m signing off for now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
They balked when presented with several dozen plan options. Wanted more time to think about it. He’s not aware of any who signed up yet. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Spoke to an ACA-certified navigator who requested anonymity. Navigator says he’s been able to steer a few people through online process. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Spent almost 2 hours online & on the phone trying to proceed with application. Website still not working for me. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
Thursday, 1:10 p.m. Warren Vieth again, still trying to sign up for Obamacare. Still unsuccessful. This is Round 14. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 24, 2013
No wonder they’re keeping a low profile. Signing off for now. That’s Round 13. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 17, 2013
…Now I know where ACA secret bunker is located: London, Kentucky. Population 7,993. Laurel County seat. County voted 81% Romney, 17% Obama — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 17, 2013
…Hit the max number of online identity verification attempts. ACA tells me to mail a copy of my drivers license by regular mail. Will do. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 17, 2013
…So it’s come down to this–snail mail. After waiting several days, tried unsuccessfully to work through application process online. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 17, 2013
Thursday, 6:40 p.m. Warren Vieth back in action, briefly, in an attempt to buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 17, 2013
Signing off for now. Total time spent online & on phone: 7-plus hours so far. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 11, 2013
Following instructions, I scanned and uploaded my driver’s license. Supposed to get a notice telling me what to do next. It hasn’t arrived. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 11, 2013
Then, in a bright yellow box: “Your identity wasn’t verified.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 11, 2013
Made it much farther today. Completed & submitted application for health insurance. “We’ve received your application,” website declared. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 11, 2013
Friday, 4:23 p.m.: ACA Sign-Up Round 11. So close, but not quite…. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 11, 2013
Bless you, Thomas. Signing off for now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 10, 2013
(But just between him and me: “They are saying that possibly by tomorrow all of these issues should already be taken care of.”) — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 10, 2013
Thomas: “What they’re recommending…is to try back every few hours and see if it pushes through. If not, you can try back every other day.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 10, 2013
Thomas could find no record of the account I set up a week ago. Said it probably was because of ongoing website overload. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 10, 2013
Thursday, 2:05 p.m. Warren Vieth here. Round 11 of ACA sign-up saga. Spoke to Thomas at Experian, ACA’s identity verification subcontractor. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 10, 2013
I was having difficulty hearing him on my iPhone speaker, so I declined. Scott and I agreed I should keep trying online. End of Round 10. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 8, 2013
Scott offered to help me fill out an application over the phone, but warned it would be very time-consuming. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 8, 2013
Scott tried very hard to be helpful. Said ACA software problems are probably the cause of my insurance sign-up problems. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 8, 2013
Tuesday, 3:45 p.m. Warren Vieth here. Talked to Scott on ACA help line. Nice Southern accent. He’s in Kentucky but not allowed to say where. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 8, 2013
I’m signing off for now. Will try again Tuesday. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
Ellie: “We have a lot of visitors trying to use our website…That is causing some glitches…Keep trying, and thanks for your patience.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
Signed on to Live Chat a second time. After a few minutes, Ellie joined me. Asked what my problem was. I told her. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
Arrgh! While I was distracted, Marcella showed up and asked me what I wanted. After 5 minutes, she gave up on me. Story of my life. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
Signed on to ACA Live Chat successfully. Nobody showed up immediately, and I got distracted. Decided to look at emails while waiting. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
Monday, 6:45 p.m. Warren Vieth here. ACA Sign-Up Round 9. Log-in still won’t work. Not sure what to do next. How about Live Chat? — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
That, by the way, was Round 8. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
…Don’t know if it’s because the site isn’t working or because I fouled out Friday with identity verification. I’ll call helpline Monday. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
Sunday, 8:29 p.m. Warren Vieth here. Still no luck signing up for health insurance. I can’t get past the log-in page on the ACA website… — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 7, 2013
6:52 a.m.: “The requested URL /serverdown.html was not found,” it finally responds. I’m going back to bed. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
6:41 a.m.: Round 7 in the ACA ring. Marketplace website appears to be functioning again. Log-in info entered. Waiting… — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
2:06 a.m. Back to bed. Security can wait. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
2:02 a.m. Just as well. No telling what I might have bought. Catastrophic plan for the cat, platinum for the dogs; oops, forgot the wife. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
Drats! “The system is down at the moment. We’re currently performing scheduled maintenance. Please try again later.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
Saturday, 1:59 a.m.: Round 6 of Obamacare quest about to commence. I figure nobody cares about insurance at 2 a.m. Maybe I stand a chance. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
Promises: extra space for more users…more technicians working around the clock…more trained reps to take your calls…new pathways. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
This just in from DC: “We know some of you are having trouble…we are sorry for any delays.Thanks for your patience…please keep trying! — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 5, 2013
5:37 p.m. Giving up for now. Might try again after midnight. Total time spent so far: almost 4 hours. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
Ray spoke soothingly. “The high volume is creating some glitches,” he acknowledged. “You might have to give it a couple of days.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
5:30 p.m.: After 30 minutes, ACA log-in page still won’t load. Phoned Marketplace call center and talked to Ray Chandler (not the author). — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
5:00 p.m.: ACA help line still overloaded: “We’re experiencing higher than normal wait times. Please call back at a later time or date.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
4:55 p.m. Warren Vieth again. About to launch Round 5 of my effort to sign up for Affordable Care Act insurance. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
12:32 p.m. Been on hold with ACA security for 15 minutes. Lady in the recording says I should try back later. I’m going to take her advice. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
12:15 p.m.: Oh, no! I flunked two successive identity verification tests. I’ve been booted out of the system and have to call ACA security. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
…”EVERMORE INC.; ZULU MOON; RINKS, LIVERPOOL; NONE OF THE ABOVE.” (I’m not making this up.) — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
“Answer these questions so we can verify your identity. 1) Which one of the following retail credit cards do you have?”… — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
12:04 p.m.: Entering the wormhole for individual coverage. Gotta verify my identity. That means I’ve got to spell my niece’s name correctly. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
12:00 p.m.: Faith restored! I finally got to a page that asks boldly, in 24-point type: “Warren, what would you like to do?” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
11:38 a.m. Round 4 of ACA sign-up efforts. I’m not optimistic, considering the time of day. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:51 a.m. I’ll give it a rest and come back later. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
She wasn’t sure why my log-in failed. “I think it’s because so many people are trying to sign on right now that it’s messing up the system.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:48 a.m.: A nice lady named Sarah just told me she’s not allowed to access my account info and encouraged me to try signing on later. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:38 a.m.: Log-in email never arrived. Just called the toll-free help line. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:28 a.m.: The marketplace rejected the log-in name and password I set up last night. It’s going to email me new instructions. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:21 a.m.: Land Ho! The log-in page has appeared. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:19 a.m.: Still stuck at the starting gate. Just opened a different browser window to see if it might work better. It didn’t. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
“[08:14:04 am]: Your chat session is over. Thanks for contacting us, and we hope we’ve answered your questions. Have a great day.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
8:11 a.m.: Log-in page won’t load. Tried the chat line to ask about wait times. Before I could ask anything, it told me to come back later. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
Friday 7:59 a.m.: Warren Vieth reporting. I’m headed for the Affordable Care Act marketplace again. Hope to be an early bird. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
10:37 p.m.: The webpage is stuck again. I’ve been online for an hour. I’ll get up early tomorrow and try again. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
10:25 p.m.: Just confirmed my account via email. “Success!” the webpage declares. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
Oops. Gotta pick two more. Going with these: In what city was your mother born? What is the name of your oldest niece? — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
I’m going with this one: What was the nickname of your grandmother? — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
What is your favorite radio station? What was your favorite toy when you were a child? What is your favorite cuisine? — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
It’s getting tricky. I’ve got to to choose a security question, I’ve got 13 options. Here are the first 3 options: — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
10:15 p.m.: It’s working! — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
10:09 p.m.: Made it to the log-in page. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
9:51 p.m. Still can’t get to log-in page. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
9:37 p.m.: Time to give the ACA marketplace another try. Maybe the web traffic has slowed down a bit. It’s past 10 p.m. on the East Coast. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
I tried to get private-market insurance a few months ago, but I was turned down because of pre-existing conditions. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
I don’t think we’ll qualify for tax subsidies under ACA, but that’s OK. We just need coverage. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
I won’t qualify for employer-provided insurance, and my wife and I need new policies. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
I’m shopping for insurance on the ACA exchange because my employment situation is changing as of Jan. 1. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 4, 2013
5:15 p.m. Page won’t load, nobody to chat with, attention span shot; I’m hungry. I’ll try again later. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
“Thanks for contacting Health Insurance Marketplace Live Chat. Please wait while we connect you to someone who can help.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
5:10 p.m.: Next page still hasn’t loaded. I’m going to check out the Live Chat. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
5:05 p.m.: Still waiting for next page to load. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
5:00 p.m.: The “Let’s Get Started” page has appeared. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
“We have a lot of visitors on the site right now. Please stay on this page…We’ll send you to the login page as soon as we can.” — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
4:56 p.m. Signed on to http://t.co/9VkAV175B5, hit the “apply for insurance” tab, got this response: — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
Warren Vieth here. I'm going to live-tweet my attempts to sign up for coverage in the ACA marketplace. This is for real.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) October 3, 2013
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